Things you don’t Know about the Durban July
Are you ready for Vodacome Durban July Event. Durban July 2015 is coming on 4th july. The Durban July is the biggest horse racing event on the African continent.
This year, the social event is set to hit another high note with the a nautical theme setting the mood.
Info About Event
Place: Greyville Racecourse, Durban
Date: Saturday, 4 July
Time: The first event will take place at 09:30 on Saturday morning
Entry Fee : R220
Theme: The captain’s Table
Below are the things you don’t know about Durban July Event :
1. It’s the greatest racing, fashion and entertainment extravaganza on the African continent!
There is no other horse race in Africa with as much history behind it as the Durban July Handicap. The racing event started way back in 1897, growing in it following and prestige each year since. Today, racing and betting enthusiasts, as well as fearless fashionistas won’t miss it for anything. It really is South Africa’s premier horse racing event and currently offers a purse of R3.5 Million.
2. 13 is a lucky number at this race… In 1960 an international rugby match was played on the Saturday before the Durban July Handicap of that year. During the rugby match, left wing Hennie van Zyl scored both tries for the Springboks wearing the number 13 jersey. The scoreboard at the end of the game read 13-0.
One week later a horse named Left Wing, wearing the number 13 saddlecloth, won the Durban July Handicap!
3. Starting out small : The maximum number of horses allowed to participate in the race – or the ‘field size’ as the experts call it – was increased in 2003 to accommodate 20 horses. However, the biggest July field ever was in 1917, when 33 horses went to the start. On the other hand, the smallest July fields of only 7 horses too to the track in 1897, the first ever Durban July Handicap, as well as in 1908.
4. That Proud day in 2004: In 2004, South Africa celebrated 10 years of democracy. To mark this milestone all horses wearing the Number 10 saddlecloth in any race staged by Gold Circle for the entire year, carried a South African flag incorporating the number 10 on their saddlecloth.
5. How far?
The distance of the Durban July Handicap has changed nearly every decade, with the length of the course increasing every time.
In 1906 the distance changed from 1 mile (approximately 1609 meters) to 1 mile and 68 yards (approximately 1 671 meters). It changed again in 1913 to 1 mile 1 furlong (approximately 1 872 meters), and in 1915 to 1/4 miles (approximately 2 000 meters). The distance remained this way until 1940… but not for long.
In 1941, again, the distance was changed to 1 mile 2 1/4 furlongs (approximately 2 100 meters). In 1970, for the final time, the Durban July Handicap was changed to its current distance of 2 200 meters.
Story Found Via News24
Suspect arrested for car rental theft in Pretoria
A 36-year-old man was expected to appear in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on Monday for allegedly stealing a vehicle from a car rental company at OR Tambo International Airport, Gauteng police said.
The man was arrested on Thursday after he falsely reported to police that the car he rented was hijacked on Thursday, said police spokesman Colonel Vishnu Naidoo.
”The suspect opened a false hijacking case at the Tembisa police station. The vehicle company became suspicious of the hijacking claims when they failed to find him at Tembisa, where he was supposed to have met a representative of the company. Furthermore, his phone ‘stopped working’ and they could no longer locate him,” Naidoo said.
A police task team investigating syndicates operating at the airport and a vehicle tracking company tracked down the vehicle to a mall parking lot in Gezina, Pretoria. It was found without number plates and licence disc.
”Unaware that the police were lying low within the vehicle’s vicinity, a man approached the vehicle and just as he opened it, he was surrounded by police officers. He was then identified as the same man who rented the car,” said Naidoo.
”Over and above the charges of theft and perjury, the man will also face several counts of fraud after police found three identity documents and four drivers’ licences with different names but bearing his photo at his place of residence, not far from where the vehicle was found. Four credit cards with different names were also found.”
In March, police arrested another man for stealing a rental vehicle.
Prince Maluleke, 30, had rented a Toyota Corolla and failed to return it to the company.
Naidoo said Maluleke was arrested in March and granted R5,000 bail.
Maluleke, of New Eersterus in Hammanskraal outside of Pretoria, allegedly provided car rental staff with a false residential address to rent a vehicle for eight days in March.
“When the company realised that the return date had lapsed, they alerted the police. Maluleke was arrested at his home after police recovered the Toyota Corolla at a parking lot with false number plates in Pretoria on May 26,” Naidoo said.
“Michael Thage, who allegedly bought the stolen vehicle from Maluleke, was also arrested and granted R5,000 bail. Both will appear together in court on Tuesday.”
News Source : http://www.enca.com
Calitzdorp Port & Wine Festival 2015
Get ready to enjoy the Calitzdorp Port & Wine Festival on 13th & 14th june 2015. Calitzdorp is a quaint little town on Route 62, nestled in the heart of the klein karoo, Western Cape. Calitzdorp Port & Wine Festival will take place at the historical Calitzdorp Railway Station.
Take a road trip of Calitzdorp by following the Route 62 which will allow you to view magnificent landscapes and towering cliffs.
Event Details :
Event Type: Food & Wine
Dates :
Starting Date: 13 Jun 2015
End Date: 14 Jun 2015
Phone: 082 552 7715
Venue:
Calitzdorp Railway Station
Calitzdorp
South Africa
Organizer: Joey van Tonder
For more details Visit Official Calitzdorp Port & Wine Festival website
SAA 7 Day Domestic & International Flight Sale!
South African Airways is offering 7 day sale on domestic and international routes starting from 27 May – 2 June 2015. Book Your SA Flights Online Today and enjoy big savings.
DOMESTIC SPECIALS :
From Johannesburg, one way. Economy Class. Travel period: on/before 31 August 2015
1. Port Elizabeth
Fully inclusive
one-way from
R 912*
2. Cape Town
Fully inclusive
one-way from
R1, 193*
INTERNATIONAL SPECIALS:
From Johannesburg, return. Economy Class. Travel period: on/before 31 August 2015
1. Windhoek
Fully inclusive
return fare from
R3, 168*
2. Accra
Fully inclusive
return fare from
R6, 062*
3. Lagos
Fully inclusive
return fare from
R5, 894*
4. Nairobi
Fully inclusive
return fare from
R6, 387*
5. Libreville
Fully inclusive
return fare from
R6, 499*
6. Livingstone
Fully inclusive
return fare from
R3, 805*
7. Victoria Falls
Fully inclusive
return fare from
R3, 767*
8. Mauritius
Fully inclusive
return fare from
R5, 514*
9. Abu Dhabi
Fully inclusive
return fare from
R8, 136*
10. Perth
Fully inclusive
return fare from
R10, 885*
11. New York
Fully inclusive
return fare from
R11, 954*
12. Washington
Fully inclusive
return fare from
R11, 954*
13. Munich
Fully inclusive
return fare from
R9, 835*
14. Frankfurt
Fully inclusive
return fare from
R7, 698*
Book now on flysaa.com or through the SAA Call Centre on 0861 606 606.
When booking through an SAA office, please quote booking code: MN30JUN15
South African Airways can at any time change/discontinue these special fares and conditions without prior notice.
Selling period: 27 May – 2 June 2015
Travel: on/ before 31 August 2015
Fare Rules: As per booking process.
South African Airways (SAA) Specials offers in South Africa
South African Airways is offering special deals and offers in South Africa. Make instant savings with south African Airways today on your next trip.
One Way From Adult from
Johannesburg to Durban ZAR1004*
Johannesburg to East London ZAR1252*
Johannesburg to Cape Town ZAR1525*
Johannesburg to Port Elizabeth ZAR1400*
Sales Period: Open
Travel Period: Open
Fare Rules :
Domestic Fare Rules
1. Combinable with any other fare class.
2. This special is not available on the following flight series 1000-1999 and 8000-8999
3. Tickets must be paid for 24 hours after confirmation
4. Tickets are non refundable except any unused fuel or taxes are refundable
5. Children pay 75% of the adult fare
6. Rebooking permitted. Any Time – Permitted at a charge of :
7. ZAR 342 per change subject to seats being available
8. No name changes allowed after ticketing.
9. Rerouting permitted
10. Standby is not permitted.
11. Voyager Miles can be earned at 50% of normal miles as per this special.
* Above fares are per person on a one way basis and inclusive of all taxes and surcharges and are subject to change due to currency fluctuations. South African Airways can at any time change/discontinue these special fares and conditions without prior notice. All fares are subject to availability.
Visit official SAA Website to book a deal : http://www.flysaa.com
Hot Travel Deals With South African Airways & Thompsons Holidays
Explore Amazing Destinations with South African Airways (SAA) and Thompsons Holidays. Thompsons have put together a selection of travel packages in association with SAA to great destinations that you will definitely enjoy. South African Airways, Africa’s most awarded airline, operating from Johannesburg to 38 destinations worldwide. South African Airways offers a great and top class flying experience with style and comfort.
Grab the Deal for :
Travel Deal for : 3* Protea Hotel Umhlanga – Umhlanga Rocks SAA
Itinerary
-
DAY 1
- Flight: Johannesburg (JNB) to Durban (DUR)
- Car Hire: Avis Car Hire – Limited Waiver
- Accommodation: Protea Hotel Umhlanga
-
DAY 2
- Accommodation: Protea Hotel Umhlanga
- Car Hire: Avis Car Hire – Limited Waiver
-
DAY 3
- Flight: Durban (DUR) to Johannesburg (JNB)
South Africa New visa rules a “tourism tragedy” for South Africa?
South Africa is frequented by more than 9 million tourists each year. Between 2013 and 2014, South Africa saw a 6.6 percent growth in international tourist arrivals.
Last May, the Ministry of Home Affairs introduced new travel requirements as a means of tackling child trafficking and increasing national security. Tourists are now required to apply for visas in person in order for their bio-metric data to be captured. Documents also need to be in English. From June this year, all children travelling in, out, or through South Africa will need to carry an unabridged birth certificate.
Tourism Minister Derek Hanekom says there has been a negative impact on the tourism sector in the last six months as a result of the stricter visa regulations.
He told reporters that the number of tourists from countries now requiring a visa to enter South Africa has declined.
New visa regulations could see over half a million tourists denied travel to South Africa, says the Democratic Alliance.
Original story found via http://www.thesouthafrican.com
Xenophobia in South Africa did not harm tourism sector, says Derek Hanekom
Government respond quickly on xenophobic attacks in South Africa and ensured that tourism sector had not been affected, said Minister of Tourism Derek Hanekom on Thursday.
Image Source : Gallo Images
“I recently met with the president of the World Travel and Tourism Council who said we are sending out the right messages,” said Hanekom.
Hanekom was briefing the media in Cape Town ahead of his department’s Budget Vote later on Thursday and discussed the implications of xenophobia on the sector, the effects of loadshedding, and concerns regarding new visa regulations.
“If we sustain our efforts and if we combat any xenophobia that may rear its head, we will get through this,” said Hanekom.
He added that at the recent Tourism INDABA, he engaged with over 20 of his African counterparts: “We will be visiting each of these African states to strengthen our relations.”
Original story found via http://www.thenewage.co.za
Save big with AVIS weekend car rental offers
Get great weekend car rental offers with AVIS starting from R176* per day. Given below is a list of AVIS weekend car rental offers for you to enjoy:
George R176* per day for weekend rentals between 18 – 31 May 2015
Mpumalanga R176* per day for weekend rentals between 11 – 24 May 2015
Free State R180* per day for weekend rentals between 18 – 31 May 2015
Western Cape R185* per day for weekend rentals between 11 – 24 May 2015
*Note that Weekend rates differ from region to region and are date specific. The above rates are applicable for prepaid rentals over weekends on a Group A vehicle on the standard waiver option and exclude the rental contract fee of R69.00 (once off). Rates are subject to change without prior notice.
Weekend Car Rental Terms
Avis Car Rental weekend rates are valid from a Thursday 12h00 to Monday 23h59 in all regions. A minimum 2 day rental is required and rentals do not include Saturday & Sunday. And no additional drivers will be permitted on weekend rentals except for direct family members.
Rate Includes
1. 200 km’s free per day
2. VAT
3. Selected Cover Collision Damage and Theft Loss Waivers.
4. 1% Tourism Levy
5. Rental Contract Fee
6. Location Surcharge
For detailed information visit AVIS official website
Mango Airlines launches R1 flights to promote app
South African budget airline Mango is offering Windows users to buy flights for just R1 through the official Mango Windows 8.1 app for the month of May. Mango claims to be the first African airline to offer a mobi-site and apps allowing bookings, payment and flight management on the go. The Mango Airlines app is available for download in all app stores for Android, Apple, Blackberry and Windows 8.1 devices.
“The release of the Windows app sees Mango come full circle in terms of major mobile platform availability,” said spokesperson Hein Kaiser. Mango said that its apps have received more than half a million downloads in total. The R 1 sale is exclusively available through the Mango app on the Windows 8.1 platform and on sale until 31 May 2015 for travel until end June 2015.
Terms and Conditions:
1. 10000 seats available on selected flights on a first come, first served basis.
2. No group bookings available on promotional fares.
3. Special events, long weekends (Fridays and return Sundays) and peak flights are excluded.
4. Not available through Call Centre, website or any other channel.
5. Return bookings only, of which only one sector can be R1.00. No combination of any other promotional fare, second sector will be on published fare.
6. R1.00 Base fare only excluding any taxes / Normal taxes will apply on all R1.00 fare bookings.
Original story found via http://businesstech.co.za
South African Tourism News 