Durban shines bright at 13th annual Sari Stroll
The sea of colour moved in waves along the promenade, from the Bay of Plenty to Suncoast, with songs of praise, chatter, and laughter providing the perfect soundtrack to the walk. Event organiser and founder, Kamlesh Gounden, said the Sari Stroll is the perfect way of showcasing Durban and its culture.
She said, 'Today we are walking together as one, there are no racial lines or divides. It's nation-building in a sari. It's Durbanites celebrating, the power of women. There is no better way to celebrate than by bringing our culture together, a melting pot of wonderfulness.'
Gounden said the Sari Stroll was established in 2010, to celebrate 'our diversity' as a nation. It has since grown in size to accommodate over 1000 walkers who receive a free sari to wear during the 1km walk.
Also Read: Sari Stroll returns to the Golden Mile
The event is normally held in September, but this year it was moved to August to coincide with Women's Month and the celebration of Raksha Bandhan, a significant Hindu festival celebrating the brother-sister bond, which was observed on August 9.
'It just made sense to celebrate both, at the same time, with the addition of marking 165 years since the arrival of indentured labourers. The turnout is amazing, and good to see that so many people came out to have fun and enjoy this event,' said Gounden.
Among those who were in attendance was eThekwini Municipality chairperson of Community Services Committee, Councillor Zama Sokhabase, who was accompanied by the acting director of Recreation and Parks, Dr Zakhi Mkhize. She praised the event organisers for hosting the Sari Stroll and uniting the people of eThekwini.
Her sentiments were shared by Jo Rushby, the owner of Ike's Books on Florida Road. She said, 'I live nearby and every year see the Sari Stroll and this year I knew I had to come out and experience it. I'm glad that I came. It's amazing and everyone is welcoming and happy which is lovely to see. The vibe is amazing and it's all just perfect.'
For more from Berea Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.
Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
TimesLIVE
16 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
The literary girlhood we need: awards celebrate young women authors during Women's Month
As the South African Literary Awards (Sala) mark two decades of honouring literary excellence, in Women's Month they turn the spotlight on women authors, especially the young, who are telling stories and shaping a literary future rooted in identity, resistance and renewal. By recognising voices who have emerged through poetry, prose, essays and indigenous language storytelling, Sala asserts that literary spaces must reflect the full spectrum of South African womanhood and girlhood. From school journals to book festivals, young women are finding ways to document their world, defying stereotypes and forging new possibilities for African narratives. 'Sala's commitment to literary excellence has always included elevating women and the youth, not as symbolic gestures, but as essential architects and vessels of South Africa's narrative,' said Prof Zodwa Motsa, chairperson of the Sala advisory board. 'This Women's Month we honour the literary womanhood whose voice is unapologetic, creative, courageous and future-focused. The stories of young women are not marginal; they are the marrow of our national imagination.' Among those previously recognised is Lebogang Masango, whose work in children's literature and poetry has inspired a new generation of feminist thinkers and readers, and Deidré Jantjies, a cultural activist passionate about the historical stories of women. She is the author of the illustrated children's book Stories in die Wind (2022) written in Nama and Afrikaans. Terry Ann Adams' first story in White Chalk, Rock a Bye, Baby, was her attempt to make sense of one of her worst memories, followed by The Ouens, a story based on the collective memory of boyhood and the painful collective memory of Nathaniel Julies. Tshepiso Makgoloane, the 25-year-old multi-award-winning poet and writer from Limpopo's Motetema township, said she never thought Tša Ma Africa would take her so far when it started as an e-book. The motivational speaker and editor of Sepedi poetry books promised her followers more for the future and encouraged the youth to empower themselves through reading and acquire as much knowledge as possible. Anelisa Thengimfene, who won the 2023 Poetry Award for her isiXhosa collection Amajingiqhiw' entlalo (The Ups and Downs of Life), continues to inspire through her dual role as a writer and lecturer at Sants Private Higher Institution. Her writing reflects the lived experiences of many South African women, blending resilience and reflection. Also honoured is Fhulufhelo Ntsieni, a 25-year-old poet and the youngest winner at the 2024 South African Literary Awards, recognised in the Poetry category for Rudzani. Her work contributes to the evolving landscape of South African poetry, rooted in memory, language and identity. Over the years, categories such as Youth Literature, First-time Published Author, Poetry and Creative Non-Fiction have become critical entry points for emerging women authors. The categories have nurtured talents whose books are now studied in classrooms, circulated through book clubs and cited in academic discourse. As part of its 20th anniversary campaign, Sala is calling on the public to actively support authors by reading their books, sharing their stories and following their journeys online. Institutions are encouraged to invest in youth-led publishing initiatives and to bridge the access gap faced by women under 35 in literature. During August Sala is inviting South Africans to celebrate Women's Month not only in tribute, but in action by buying books and honouring the young women whose pens are documenting our hopes, struggles and histories. 'The process of writing a children's story book is incredibly fun. It is something I always wanted to do. Children's books are very exciting objects, and it was incredibly fulfilling', said Lebohang Masango, who won a Sala Children's Literature Award in 2019. Alongside her academic pursuits, she aspires to release two new children's books, further securing her identity as a leading voice in literature. 'I want to be counted among the voices who told the truth and preserved it,' she said. For aspiring writers, Masango shared invaluable advice: 'Read more than you write' and 'Start a blog'. She emphasised the importance of reading as a method to explore diverse styles and genres while encouraging writers to cultivate their unique voices without reliance on artificial intelligence. As we prepare for the upcoming Africa Century International African Writers Conference (#ACIAWC2025), the presence and perspectives of young women remain central to shaping the literary conversations ahead, said Motsa.
TimesLIVE
2 days ago
- TimesLIVE
Women who redefine power, style and purpose, and a tiny hero with turbo power ambition
Spotlight is our bite-sized entertainment snapshot featuring new releases in South Africa, exclusive film trailers and more. New episodes come out every Thursday on Sunday Times Lifestyle, Sowetan Entertainment and YouTube, plus you can follow Spotlight on Facebook. Spotlight shines a light on a brand-new family animated cinema release, and in celebration of Women's Month, this week's episode takes a closer look at a doccie about the formidable and inspiring Diane von Furstenberg. Animated big screen treat Grand Prix of Europe features tiny paws with big dreams set in the world of roaring engines. A spunky young mouse, Edda, demonstrates her female turbo power ambition. When she enters the legendary European Grand Prix to meet her racing idol, unforeseen challenges must be conquered, testing her skills. With voice actors Gemma Arterton, Hayley Atwell and Rob Beckett, this movie — on at cinemas — is a fun ride for the whole family. Saluting the phenomenal and fearless fashion icon of the DvF brand, documentary feature Diane von Furstenberg: Woman in Charge, streaming on Disney+, looks at her childhood as a Holocaust survivor, becoming a princess by marriage and ultimately the creator of a global fashion empire. With insights from Oprah Winfrey, Marc Jacobs and more, don't miss this and other woman power films, perfectly timed as inspirational releases of women redefining power, style and purpose. Celebrating African talent on the global stage, South African producer Robert Ford brings four-time Emmy nominated documentary Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story to Showmax for streaming. After his legendary rise, the tragic accident and his heroic real-life journey, this is a moving tribute to resilience, legacy and the power of the human spirit. From South Africa to the world, a hero's story is redefined. For full interviews, breaking news, trailers and clips visit our Spotlight Facebook page. See you at the movies. Presenter Collette Prince is styled and dressed by Claris by Gerrit Pienaar when attending premieres and special events. Facebook @Claris by Gerrit Pienaar/Instagram: gerritpienaardesigns. Competition and giveaways Win a Grand Prix of Europe merchandise hamper by answering a question or stand in line to win a one-month Disney+ streaming voucher by also answering a question. For full competition details and the questions, go to the Spotlight SA Facebook page and DM your answers and contact details by August 20. Terms and conditions apply. Winners will be drawn randomly and notified by SMS after the competition has closed. Entrants' personal details will not be retained for marketing purposes. Winners have to provide proof of age (ID/driving licence) and cover their own travel and accommodation expenses. By entering, participants agree to have their names published on TimesLIVE, SowetanLIVE and Spotlight SA on Facebook. Employees of Ar ena Holdings and their family members are not eligible to enter.
The Citizen
4 days ago
- The Citizen
‘Ladies first' at Zappas Women's Day bash
Zappas Restaurant celebrated Women's Day with a lively celebration on Saturday, featuring a world record attempt and a focus on 'old-school' gentlemanly respect for women. Restaurant manager Chrisna Oosthuizen said the event formed part of the eatery's month-long Ladies First campaign. For a whole month, her restaurant is embracing the 'Ladies First' theme, encouraging a nod to old-school courtesy with a world-record attempt. 'This is to remind the ladies that although we are in a man's world, we are still women. We should still be treated like women and with equality.' The goal was to gather at least 472 women in the bar at exactly 18:00. This would have made it the biggest gathering of women in one bar at the same time. All the women who turned out were treated to free punch, special menus, and souvenirs that would leave them feeling seen and appreciated during Women's Month. Although the turnout was spirited and the energy vibrant, they ultimately did not manage to break the record. 'This is not only about breaking a record but also about reclaiming space for women in an atmosphere that felt both celebratory and respectful, where they were the honoured guests,' she said. Attendee Kgomotso Madumo said the event was a welcome chance to relax. 'It's not every day that women get treated like queens for free. I came with my friends and we felt safe and appreciated. The free punch was a nice touch,' she said. Another guest, Karin van der Westhuizen, said she enjoyed the atmosphere and message behind the day. 'The idea of reminding men to be gentlemen is beautiful. In a world where violence against women is still so high, events like these are important for awareness and unity,' she said. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok.
