KulturWalk - Tours of X-ploration

KulturKonneKt advert as appearing in the Durban Central Tourism brochure 2019

‘Equus with Warrior: Ancient Intersections’ selected as a finalist in the 2018 Sasol New Signatures Art Competition

Media entrepreneur and film historian Mikhail Peppas was delighted at the news that his photographic entry, ‘Equus with Warrior: Ancient Intersections’ was selected as a finalist in the 2018 Sasol New Signatures art competition.

He attended the opening night of the Exhibition of Winning Works at Pretoria Art Museum. The exhibition runs from 30 August to 7 October.

Conceptual Statement

Equus with Warrior: Ancient Intersections

Name: ‘Ox-head’

Born: 355BC

Died: 326BC

Aged: 30

‘Faithful Unto Death’

A city named in his honour in Pakistan

A magnificent strong-willed black stallion

Bucephalia

Species: Equus caballus

Spooked by his own shadow

The most famous horse of history – Bucephalus

With Alexander, forged a cult that after them

It was expected of a conqueror that he have a famous horse

The kingdom of Macedonia was too small for them

Battle after battle – victory upon victory – mortally wounded and surrounded by attackers, Bucephalus carried his master to safety

A curious half lazy stroll along the promenade of Thess City in the darkening night blasted in harsh flooded lights to step across the shadow of a horse that was terrified of shadows

The hybrid virtual centaur bonded intersectionally human with horse

But wait. Does the energetic frenzy in searing sunshards appear to calm as the sun slips to face horse’s head at eye level?

The granite plinth weighted heavily on to the terra firma is too solid for energy but might survive long after the warrior and horse have toppled into the chambers of a forgotten history

But that is in the lap of mythology. For the centaurs are the sons of gods whose higher intelligence forms a bridge between earth and heaven

Let the tourist pass by happily snapping from the White Tower to the Umbrellas Sculpture and perhaps a turn to the shields and heavily long spears that in boundary line remove somewhat the view of the bonded hybrid

Cultural Wonders En Route

Mikhail Peppas

Over the past few years having journeyed to various major city travel destinations, I have gathered what are considered requirements for attracting tourists and creating exposure in the international world of destination travel. 

My observation reveals seven features of a great city: affectionate name linked to a symbolic emblem; worldwide instantly recognisable place for photo ops; product; route; central library; song; and cuisine.

Durban has several accolades that can be enhanced considering the seven elements. Processes are underway to place Durban on global radar screens.

Durban ranks above average overall in the African Green City Index. Visual cues include the beachfront promenade; sustainable building design of the Moses Mabhida Stadium; development of a clip-on cycle bridge that crosses over the mouth of the uMngeni River; and, as a legacy symbol arising out of the COP17 United Nations Climate Change Conference, the Living Beehive structure in Durban Botanic Gardens, Africa’s oldest surviving botanic gardens. 

Green Heart City Durban beaded pin-on reflecting traditional patterns. Photo Mikhail Peppas

The citizen-based organisation, Green Heart Movement aims to position Durban as Green Heart City. The reference to Durban as Green Heart City echoes the promotional branding of New York as the Big Apple and Paris as the City of Love. In South Africa, Cape Town has the Mountain, Johannesburg has the Brixton Tower and the mine dumps, and now Durban is becoming recognised for the BunnyKat and the giant Green Heart, following on from earlier but fading symbols of bananas, sugar cane, rickshas and surfboards.

The BunnyKat cultural icon of Green Heart City Durban and KwaZulu-Natal pops up around the world in the most unexpected places. Photo Sanabelle Ebrahim

Two Durban routes originated by the Green Heart Movement are: the Beacon-to-Beacon Golden Mile Epic and the KulturWalk.

Beacon-to-Beacon Golden Mile Epic

In line with the planned upgrade of the seafront promenade stretching from the Blue Lagoon at the mouth of the uMngeni River across to North pier at the entrance to the harbour, a route connecting the two points will be identified by marker beacons at each end. The beacons indicate the geolocation and details such as the distance and duration of a scenic walk connecting the marker points. The walk is termed the Beacon-to-Beacon Golden Mile Epic and is supported by an app showcasing restaurants and places of interest along the route.

The marker points provide a convenient and picturesque meeting space for friends and visitors and allow for photo opportunities indicating that the image is taken in Green Heart City Durban. Both marker beacons will have an illustration of the opposite beacon that will encourage people to follow the scenic route. Durban’s iconic Green Heart will be engraved on each beacon. Halfway between the two beacons will stand the emblematic sculpture of Durban’s very own folk hero comic book character, the BunnyKat. A locally designed shuttle bus depicting images and events along the route will run between the two beacons. BunnyKats, postcards and other Durban merchandise will be available at both beacon points.

KulturWalk

The KulturWalk runs between the Old Fort Gardens and the Port Natal Maritime Museum. The initiative is supported by the Durban Central Community Tourism Organisation (DCTO). The KulturWalk App charts the sensual landscape of a city. Measurement factors such as happiness, forwardness, evocability, vibrancy, walkability, rhythms, visceral mood, and city image are key elements in shaping and future-fitting a great city.

Dry land tug at the Port Natal Maritime Museum. Photo Hugh Bland

Digital elements that feature in the central city KulturWalk include apps, QR codes and electronic signage that provide historical and cultural information and outline a route that draws participants into the redesigned Embankment curving around the People’s Port. An outdoor screen embedded in the northern Heart at the uMngeni River depicts events taking place at the opposite end of the beachfront promenade and along the ‘Heart2Heart’ Beacon Route.

A rekindled fondness for Durban Harbour will foster an identity for a Smart City-Port and endear the public with a sense of place attachment. A Smart People’s Port enhances community engagement, tourism, leisure, recreation, career and business opportunities. City-Port activations and infrastructure featuring digital elements will transform the Embankment into a bustling locale of choice.

People’s Port shaping into an adventurous place to meet, mix and mingle. Future plans for Durban Harbour will ensure that the port is integrated more fully into the daily life of the City. An exciting mix of entertainment and commerce unfolds as Durban takes its place amongst the great cities of the world. Photo Sanabelle Ebrahim

Byron in Greece

Mikhail Peppas

Wondering and weaving through the cobbled lanes and marbled pavings of Plaka Athens in the footsteps of Lord Byron on the final Friday countdown of the year two thousand and seventeen AD.

Lingering about the Lysikrates Monument (334 BC) and surrounds that were incorporated as part of the Capuchin monastery complex, a place frequented by poets Byron and Chateaubriand.

Taking in the surrounds of the Lysikrates Monument, Plaka Athens. Photo Sanabelle Ebrahim

Lord Byron writes:

‘Be thou the rainbow

in the storms of life.

The evening beam that

smiles the clouds away,

and tints tomorrow

with prophetic ray.’

‘I slept and dreamt

that life was beauty ...’

‘But words are things,

And a small drop of ink,

Falling like dew, upon a thought,

Produces that which makes thousands,

Perhaps millions, think.’

‘If I am a poet

I owe it to

the air of Greece.’

Byron portrait in the foyer of Hotel Byron, Plaka Athens. Photo Mikhail Peppas

Film Historian wins 2017 Simon ‘Mabhunu’ Sabela Lifetime Achievement Award

A night amidst the stars. The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Mr Sihle Zikalala presented Dr Mikhail Peppas with the 2017 Simon ‘Mabhunu’ Sabela Lifetime Achievement Award at The Playhouse Durban on Saturday 15 July. The spotlight shines on firsts for Africa originated by Dr Peppas: a film school called The Free Film School and a community TV station, Greater Durban Television – GDTV.

Film historian Dr Mikhail Peppas delivers his acceptance speech at The Playhouse Durban. Photo Sanabelle Ebrahim 

Dr Peppas is working on a book project, ‘The History of the Moving Image in KwaZulu-Natal.’ The first volume focuses on the pioneering days of cinema in Natal and film-going as a social phenomenon. Topics covered range from filming on the Boer War battlefields to the opening of the first dedicated cinema in Africa, The Electric Theatre, in 1909.

Dr Mikhail Peppas. Photo Sanabelle Ebrahim

Simon ‘Mabhunu’ Sabela Film and Television Awards is an initiative of the Economic Development Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA), supported by the KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission and is endorsed by the Sabela Family.

The Awards has since 2013 celebrated heroes, legends and veterans who have made a mark in the film and television industry. 

Simon Mabhunu Sabela was a legend in both the small and big screen. He was a revered actor, director and producer with a career spanning over four decades, resulting in over 34 movies locally and internationally.

The Simon ‘Mabhunu’ Sabela Film and Television Awards takes place during the Durban International Film Festival.

Nominees Announced – Simon 'Mabhunu' Sabela Awards 2017

The KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission announced the nominees for the 2017 Simon ‘Mabhunu’ Sabela Film and Television Awards on Wednesday 28 June.

The event was held at Musgrave Exhibition Centre in Durban. 

Simon ‘Mabhunu’ Sabela Film and Television Awards is an initiative of the Economic Development Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA), supported by the KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission and is endorsed by the Sabela Family.

The recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award will be revealed on the night of the awards ceremony.

The Simon ‘Mabhunu’ Sabela Film and Television Awards, now in its 5th year, has grown from five categories to 21 categories. The Awards has since 2013 celebrated heroes, legends and veterans who have made a mark in the film and television industry. 

Simon Mabhunu Sabela was a legend in both the small and big screen. He was a revered actor, director and producer with a career spanning over four decades, resulting in over 34 movies locally and internationally.

The Simon ‘Mabhunu’ Sabela Film and Television Awards is scheduled to take place in July during the Durban International Film Festival.

Chairman of the KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission, Welcome Msomi announces the nominees. Photo Sanabelle Ebrahim

Peace on the Promenade

Mikhail Peppas

The Gandhi-Luthuli Salt March recognises solidarity with the principles of Ubuntu, nonviolence and environmental protection. The 2017 march with a purpose took place on Sunday 23 April from the Amphitheatre on the beachfront to Ushaka and back. The walk entails approximately 4.6 km.

The Salt March proceeds along the beachfront promenade. Photo Mikhail Peppas

Granddaughter of the Mahatma, Ela Gandhi on the Salt March. Photo Sanabelle Ebrahim

Gandhi lookalike T. L. Ramjee and Mikhail Peppas sprinkle coarse salt to purify the path along the Salt March. Photo Sanabelle Ebrahim

The Salt March is held in celebration of the values espoused by Mahatma Gandhi when he led the famous walk to Dandi in India in 1930 against tax on salt. The event equally honours Inkosi Albert Luthuli who was the first Black African recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1960 and the guiding spirit behind the Freedom Charter of 1955.

BunnyKats on the Run relax alongside a peace sign formed using coarse salt at the end of the march. Photo Sanabelle Ebrahim