Durban - This year’s Vodacom Durban July will not be the only party revellers and visitors to Durban can look forward to at the weekend, says the city.
The head of Durban Tourism, Philip Sithole, said Durban expected to make no less than R1-billion during the Durban July week.
Hotel occupancy rates averaging at 85 percent to capacity were anticipated.
They were expecting 50 000 people on race day and visitors would be well dispersed throughout the city and beyond, resulting in more than 940 temporary and sustained jobs.
In the absence of an official after-party, several brands will be holding their own post- and pre-race celebrations.
On Friday, the day before the main event, Ella Bella Cafe in Gateway will be hosting the Red Night VDJ Pre-party starting at 8pm (tickets, R100, through Computicket). Hip hop and house acts will share the stage.
Eyadini Lounge in Umlazi will hold its own party, with tickets, R200, through Computicket.
The same venue will be the host of an after-party on Sunday.
Earlier on Friday, from 11am to 8pm at Ushaka Marine World, artists like Big Nuz and DJ Tira will perform at the Ultimate Durban July Pool Party. Tickets cost R120 online, R150 at the door.
At the Banger in the Hangar at Virginia Airport’s Hangar 8 from 8pm on Saturday, party “passengers” can expect a massive stage with top local DJs and two surprise headliners. Tickets cost R200 through WebTicket.
Moyo Beach Bar will hold its 10th Annual Red Carpet after-party from 5pm on Saturday. Tickets cost R300 through Computicket.
The King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi will be the backdrop of a Kasi July event at 10am on Saturday. Tickets cost R100 to R500 through Computicket.
Rocca Bar off Umgeni Road will host a “Young Mula Baby” party on Saturday after the races. Tickets R100 at the door.
At the main event at the racecourse on Saturday, Jack Daniel’s will host its own marquee experience, called Sound the City, headlined by Black Coffee, Mi Casa, Mafikizolo, KO, Nasty C, Kid X, Aewon Wolf and Speedsta. Tickets, which cost R490 for general, R1 700 for VIP, R2 750 for VVIP, are available at Computicket.
Glenfiddich will also host pre- and post-July events.
On Thursday, they will host the Azar Lounge opening in Harvey Road at 9pm and on Friday they will be at The Chairman in Mahatma Gandhi (Point) Road at 9pm.
On the day of the races, they will host an event at Bertoua in Musgrave Centre, closing their celebrations on Sunday at a venue yet to be confirmed.
Durban will also play host to two music festivals on Saturday: Fact Durban Rocks at the the Moses Mabhida Stadium, and the Mother of All Parties at Kingspark Stadium.
l Gold Circle communications manager Gill Mostert said racegoers were advised of the change to the “Ride to the Race” park-and-ride facility, initially planned to be at the old Durban drive-in site. It has now moved to Suncoast Casino north parking.
She said people would catch a bus from the parking area to Greyville and return at any time between 8am and midnight.
When going to the parking, motorists could drive from Masabalala Yengwa (NMR) Avenue and turn at the traffic lights into Battery Beach Road towards the sea. They would then go under the M4 and at the circle, turn left into the casino’s north parking area.
The Mercury