Latest news with #DurbanTourism
IOL News
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Celebrating Mzansi's finest: BET Africa and Durban Tourism roll out the red carpet for the 2025 BET Awards nominees
Maglera Doe Boy has earned a nomination in the Best New International Act category at the 2025 BET Awards. Image: Instagram. As the countdown begins to the highly anticipated BET Awards 2025, BET Africa is gearing up to spotlight South African excellence with a series of exclusive parties in honour of this year's nominees. Partnering with Durban Tourism, BET Africa is set to celebrate the talents representing Mzansi on the global stage before they depart for the prestigious event in Los Angeles on June 9. International superstars Tyla and DJ Uncle Waffles, both previous nominees, have earned nominations in the Best International Act category. Emerging talents Maglera Doe Boy, TxC and Dlala Thukzin are also making waves with their nominations in the Best New International Act category, showcasing the rich musical landscape of South Africa. The festivities will commence in Durban with an electrifying party at LIV Durban on Thursday, May 22, followed by a celebration in Johannesburg at LIV Sandton on Thursday, May 29. Members of the public are invited to partake in these vibrant gatherings and show their support for the nominees. In addition to the celebrations, BET Africa and Durban Tourism will launch an exciting social media competition, giving two lucky international winners an all-expenses-paid trip to enjoy the sights, sounds and flavours of Durban. Their experiences will be documented in a special 22-minute feature that will air on BET Africa later this year, further showcasing South African culture to the world. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Monde Twala, senior vice president and co-general manager of Paramount Africa and lead of BET International, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration. "This exciting partnership with Durban Tourism allows us to honour and spotlight the immense talent coming out of South Africa. The BET Awards celebration parties will highlight cultural pride, artistic excellence, and the vibrant spirit of Durban and South Africa as a whole," he said. Echoing Twala's sentiments, eThekwini city manager Musa Mbhele commented: "This partnership truly highlights Durban's vibrant music scene and cultural richness. "These events offer fantastic opportunities for fans to connect with their favourite artists and for Durban to shine as a hub of world-class entertainment. We look forward to welcoming the international winners to our beautiful city and showcasing all that Durban has to offer." • The BET Awards is set to air live on BET Africa from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Tuesday, June 10, at 2am on BET Africa (DStv channel 129).
IOL News
14-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
KZN welcomes international buyers and delegates to experience its splendour
Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille and Deputy President Paul Mashatile, joined by KZN Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli and various other dignitaries, officially opened Africa's Travel Indaba 2025 by ringing the traditional Indaba Bell. Photo: Tumi Pakkies Image: Tumi Pakkies AFRICA'S Travel Indaba (ATI) 2025 not only showcases and boosts Africa's premium tourism offerings and destinations, it also emphasises KwaZulu-Natal's ethereal beauty and places South Africa at the top of the global investment map. This intercontinental landmark event, taking place at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre and Durban Exhibition Centre from May 13–15, is of major significance to KZN as it shines the spotlight on the province while also bringing a much needed boost to the its gross domestic product. KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority, in partnership with Durban Tourism, hosted a Business Breakfast at the Hilton Hotel on Tuesday, May 13 to kick-start ATI. The theme was: 'Durban, KwaZulu-Natal abound with investment opportunities'. Reverend Musa Zondi, KZN MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs welcomed tourism buyers, international media and key role-players in the tourism industry - and affirmed KZN as a premium destination for leisure and investment. Exciting times In his keynote address, MEC Zondi said that the era of Covid-19 was now long behind and that tourism was getting back to its pre-pandemic glory. 'The devastation of the Covid-era is behind us and tourism is making a big come back, as witnessed by the record number of delegates attending this year's Africa's Travel Indaba,' said Zondi. 'As the hosts of this prestigious Business Breakfast, we are delighted to welcome you back to our usual breakfast venue, the Hilton Hotel, which is now fully operational after having been forced to close during the Covid pandemic. 'It is encouraging to see familiar tourism landmarks like the Durban Hilton Hotel back in business, particularly because it is within walking distance of the award-winning Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre and handy for conference delegates. 'We are confident that this year's travel indaba will be as successful – and even more so – than last year's event, which brought in more than R550 million to the region (R226m in direct economic activity in Durban and another R333m rippling across the region). 'We are also meeting at exciting times when tourism arrivals to the country and the region are on the increase – and when we, in KZN, are on the cusp of welcoming new tourism developments and are prioritising and supporting various catalytic projects.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Reverend Musa Zondi, KZN MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, welcomed tourism buyers, international media and key role-players to the Business Breakfast. Photo: Tumi Pakkies Image: Tumi Pakkies Zondi also welcomed the Club Med Resort at Tinley Manor flagship leisure investment situated along the KwaZulu-Natal north coast. This R2-billion investment is due to open in July next year, and will offer a unique beach and safari experience – the first in Sub-Sahara Africa. He added that the travel indaba has been staged in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal for more than 30 years - and the province is committed to retaining it. 'We are actively working with industry partners and national stakeholders to ensure that it remains a provincial asset. We have the infrastructure, the hospitality capacity and track record.' Growth catalyst EThekwini Mayor, Councillor Cyril Xaba lauded the travel indaba platform as a catalyst for building meaningful partnerships beyond borders within the continent of Africa. Moreover, he said that tourism was one of the key economic drivers contributing significantly to the local GDP and creating job opportunities for local communities. 'We are encouraged by the increase in the number of tourists descending on our shores and the revival of the broader hospitality sector, as guests frequent restaurants and book hotels. The return to pre-covid times of this sector is vital because it provides much-needed employment, supports livelihoods and goes a long way in helping reduce poverty. Supplied Image: Supplied 'We are expanding shopping experiences for our visitors with the newly opened Westown Square in Shongweni. This mixed-use development comprising a shopping mall, hospital and residential units provides a family-friendly shopping environment, and seeks to boost the local economy through tourism - particularly in the outer west region. 'As the leadership of the City, we are also committed to positioning Durban as a destination of choice for major sporting events. Sport tourism continues to grow as more visitors travel to watch their favourite sports. With world-class sports facilities, we are on the right path to becoming a premier sporting venue. 'For the next three days, we must remember that when we engage in discussions, start networking sessions and share best practices that we must be driven by a common goal of growing a sustainable tourism industry,' said Xaba. Record numbers This year's ATI has a record number of delegates attending. There are 1 200 exhibitors from 26 African countries, as well as 908 vetted international buyers representing 55 global markets. More than 7 430 business-to-business meetings have already been planned and about 120 small and medium tourism enterprises have been given the opportunity to showcase their products at this high-profile and vibrant tourism event.
