The Okhahlamba Local Municipality is excited to announce that it will be hosting, for the third time this year, the annual Drakensberg Extravaganza and Heritage Experience, which takes place in Bergville, a small town situated in the foothills of the Drakensberg mountains. This event will take place for eleven full days, starting on the 21st of November and ending on the 1st of December 2019.
This is a tourism and entertainment must-attend event – majority of the festivities happen at the Bergville Sports Center in Golf Road. This bigger than before event is set to showcase the rich heritage and tourism attractions of the picturesque Drakensberg/Okhahlamba geographic area.
Amongst many things, the Drakensberg Extravaganza and Heritage Experience is a fun event that promotes healthy living, social cohesion, the importance of a culture centric community, youth empowerment in Kwa Zulu Natal, but specifically in the Okhahlamba region. An invitation is extended to the whole of South Africa to come and join in on the festivities that the events brings.
21 – 22 November (Tourism Summit and Business Fair)
There will be exhibitions which businesses will get an opportunity to promote their products and services. There will also be a kiddies fun fair park outside for children to play in.
22 November (Jazz and Heritage Experience)
A welcoming event will be hosted for the heritage and cultural exchange. There will be an intimate jazz and indigenous music exhibition and trade.
23 November (Josiah Gumede Marathon, Josiah Gumede Memorial Lecture – Celebrates Magwaza Maphalala And Drakensberg Extravaganza Mountain Biking And Trial Run)
Registered athletes will be running the 42.2Km Marathon, 21.1Km Half Marathon and the 10Km Unity Run. There will be food vendors, exhibition and trade as well as the kiddies fun fair park.
Later on the day, the ‘Josiah Gumede Memorial Lecture’ themed “Celebrates Magwaza Maphalala” will take place, which will be accompanied by choral, acapella and liberation music.
On the same day, there will also be a Mountain Biking race (20Km and 10Km) and a Trial Run (5Km) taking place, which will commence at the Champagne Sports Resorts that same morning.
24 November (Road Cycling and Traverse Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park (WHS) Hike)
Registered cyclers will be cycling the 80Km road race (Main Race), 105Km road race (Elites). For juniors, there will be 36Km road race and 15Km fun ride road race. At the complex will be food vendors, exhibition and trade as well as a cycling clinic for interested people.
On the same day, there will also be a 1 day hike headed to the UNESCO World Heritage site. The hike will converge at the Mahai Camp in the Royal Natal Park.
25 November (Fashion and Film Meets Tourism)
A fun event that hosts a series of fashion workshops, fashion shows and fashion competitions. Holistically combined with the Drakensberg Film Festival which includes and hosts the KZN Film Commission, NFVF, KZN Fashion council, DUT Fashion and Textile Department, Fashion experts and Trendsetters.
26 November (Rural Youth And Entrepreneurship Empowerment Summit.)
An even that’s aimed at empowering the youth and introducing them to entrepreneurship. This event houses key speakers like Vusi Thembekwayo in pursuit of motivating the youth and opening them up to business opportunities, creativity, education and success.
27 November (Agriculture And Land Summit)
A summit that addresses poverty, unemployment and socio-economic inequalities for inclusive growth through agriculture and land reform.
28 November (Social Cohesion And Moral Regeneration Summit. Drakensberg Professionals And Academic Gala Dinner.)
A summit addressing amongst many things, values of ubuntu, family values, justice and crime prevention etc. There will also be gospel artists to perform and pastors to speak.
Later on the day, there will be a professionals gala dinner where successful professionals across the country at both private and public sector who originates from the district will be hosted to network and spark radical economic change in the district.
29 November (Cultural And Creative Industry Summit. Inaugural Golf Tournament. Comedy And Poetry Experience)
Here will be a creative industry workshop that aims to advance the creative economy for youth development and job creation inclusive of visual arts, cultural industry, creative careers and an establishment of an Arts and Crafts Incubator.
On the same day, there will be a Golf Day Tournament, 18 holes at the Champagne Sports Resort.
Later on the day, there will be an entertaining comedy and poetry experience, that hosts comedians, poets and food vendors.
30 November (Drakensberg Extravaganza Music Experience)
An outdoor artistic music experience that hosts all genres. There will be big artists like Sjava, Simmy, Black Motion, Simphiwe Dana, Kwesta, DJ TirA, Big Zulu, Tresor, Blaq Diamond and many more that are advertised on our social media platforms as well as on posters.
1 December (Free Picnic At Woodstock Dam. Water Sports Activities)
We close of the Extravaganza with a laid back free picnic that features local and budding artists performing from the district.
There will also be Water Sports activities happening at the Woodstock Dam such as Jet skiing race, Jet ski display and clinics as well as boat tours.
We hope to see you all there. Ticket at Computicket: https://tickets.computicket.com/event/drakensberg_extravaganza_music/7055711/7112711/93330
