With a multitude of celebrities, musicians, politicians and media, this was going to be a mother of all parties aboard the train simply coined ‘Loliwe’ a train in iSizulu.
Loliwe is an initiative whose mandate is to market, promote and conscientious the people of KwaZulu Natal and the country, on the importance of rail transport. And to carry that message across, various prolific figures have been indentified as Ambassadors.
Loliwe is the initiative of the KZN Department of Economic and Tourism in partnership with KZN Tourism and other Municipalities.
Desmond Golding, Head of the department, says the initiative since its launch last year has been well received and will continue using this model to encourage the public to use it for traveling.
“By using Ambassadors is an easier task because the public can relate with our celebrities and the disseminating of information becomes convenient to understand,” he opined confidently.
On Friday morning we alighted the train in Ladysmith for breakfast with the Mayor, with pounding headaches and faces looking like the train has just past on, had to wait unrepentantly for hours before it could begin owing to another late train arrival.
Ladysmith is the home of Grammy Award winning and internationally celebrated group Ladysmith Black Mambazo.
Upon the wrapping up of proceedings after breakfast, we hopped onto the busses straight to the venue were the ailing former President Tata Nelson Mandela was captured in Howick, now known as Mandela Capture Monument.
This historical venue truly resembles the trials and tribulations Tata and others experienced during their detention. Due to time constraints, we could not complete the walk arranged for guests and visit other historical sites.
But if you happen to visit, make sure you complete this whole historical journey. It’s amazing.
Back on the busses we drove to Pietermaritzburg for our Loliwe trains were waiting impatiently for us.
As we boarded, Kalawe Records djs welcomed us as they belted out popular hits.
Good-dose after a long and fruitful but delayed day. Stru.
“As part of our department’s 2030 programme, we would like to encourage the use of public transport, because it is safe, reliable and convenient,” continued Golding, who is popular amongst guests.
“This initiative does not only involve fun, but other social elements such as providing survival packs for female learners; empowering women with skills to do with travel and tourism; and other programmes which would be beneficial to the people of KZN, particularly youth’s,” he says.
As we hit the dance floor and forbidden waters flowing, finally arrive at Durban Station. Whilst still at it, we hop once again onto our busses to swanky club in Berea, Uber Zulu for dinner.
But that did not last long as all and sundry were tired and thus we headed off to the revamped Elangeni Hotel for our two-night stay.
Pre-parties were all over the vicinity of Durban and Joburgers took control as you would expect!
Saturday morning Dbn July was calling and stylishly so, we heeded the call of the King, Wozani…
As guests of the Department, everything to anything flowed. Your guess is just good as mine!
Despite good entertainment and delectable food on offer the Durban July horse racing event was muddy. The number of ladies and guys ended up walking bare feet. People were sliding with their dresses, heels getting stuck, suits flyin’ all over. Eina.
As expected the Dbn July organisers paid their respect to bed-ridden world’s icon Dr Nelson Mandela on giant screens.
On Sunday, the proceedings closed down on a low note with an-all White Beach Party.
But that did not matter as we headed off to Loliwe for the trip back home.
So Posh, oh my Gosh! What a weekend, if only the organisers can understand the value of time?
In his closing remark, Golding says next year they would like to have more private sectors on board as part of marketing their brands using this mechanism.
Music composer and theatre mogul Mbongeni Ngema, also added that as an Ambassador, he will play his part by encouraging everyone to use public transport, particularly rail as a safe mode of transport.
*Meanwhile, we also join our fellow South African’s in congratulating the winner of the Vodacom July and the first black jockey winner Smanga Khumalo alongside his horse Heavily Metal.
