KwaZulu-Natal Overview
The province of KwaZulu-Natal is a strong argument both for and against political correctness. The n
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In and Around
KwaZulu-Natal
Cities Tourism Regions Towns Villages World Heritage Sites
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Friendship, good food, wine and brilliant entertainment - this is where it all comes together! The Barnyard started as a homely, rustic farm theatre in Plettenberg Bay where friends and family could be entertained and eat, drink and talk into the small hours of the morning.
It proved to be such a winner that more Barnyard Theatres started popping up all over the country. There are currently 12 Barnyard Theatres in South Africa. While each theatre is a product of its individual setting, they all retain the quaint rustic charm of the original farm theatre’s humble beginning.
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Visit the Old Court House Museum, one of Durban's oldest buildings bearing a fascinating and varied past.The building was loop-holed during the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879; it bore witness to both the South African Wars and the Bambatha Rebellion, and more recently acted as a recruitment centre and canteen during both World Wars.
It was here that African men were given sanction to enter the city or were denied access, and had to pay the mandatory Poll Tax. Here too, at the beginning of his legendary vocation as an activist, Gandhi was asked by the judge to leave the court for wearing a turban! The museum features a number of collectables in the foyer, including an extensive miniature car collection. The Daphne Strutt Costume Room features fashion from throughout the 20th century, interesting accessories such as cigarette cases, bags, shoes, jewellery and hats enhance the display. A number of rare Art Deco and Nouveau pieces make this exhibition a must for aficionados.
The 'Movers and Shakers' exhibition features miniature figurines relating to KwaZulu-Natal's history. A touch screen computer display introduces visitors to a broad overview of the province's history through the lives of these personalities.The Durban Room features the city's progression in lifestyle, wealth and means of production, from the colonial era to the post-colonial era.The Durban Room features four unique exhibits - the David SB Anderson Pharmacy, Henry Francis Flynn's Cottage, Clairmont Sugar Mill (showing developments in the production of Natal's most lucrative resource) and the Miss Fann Fancy Repository with a display of the fine imported fabrics, haberdashery and luxuries available in Durban at the end of the 19th century.
Need to know? Visiting Hours are Monday to Saturday: 8:30 to 16:00; Sundays and Public Holidays: 11:00 to 16:00; closed on Christmas Day and Good Friday.
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Named after Jonas Bergtheil, this museum is situated in the leafy suburb of Westville midway between Durban and Pinetown.
Much of the museum is housed in Westville’s oldest building (c.1840) featuring massive stone walls and hand-hewn timber floorboards. The park like surrounds add an atmosphere of tranquility.
Exhibits mostly focus on the first German settlers that Jonas Bergtheil brought to Natal as director of the Natal Cotton Company and their associations with the settlements of Westville, Claremont and New Germany.
Need to know? Visiting Hours: 8:30 to 16:00 Monday to Friday, 8:00 to 12:00 Saturdays. Closed Sundays and Public Holidays. Entrance Fee: Free. Directions: Driving from Durban towards Westville on the M13 (Jan Smuts highway) take the Queens Road off ramp, turning left into Queens Road travel up the road to number 16. The Bergtheil Local History Museum is on the right surrounded by fencing with private residences on all sides.
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Ardmore Ceramics are internationally renowned for producing great collectors pieces. Make your way to the picturesque Caversham Valley in the heart of the KwaZulu Natal Midlands to visit the remarkable Ardmore Ceramics Gallery.
Ardmore Ceramic Art is a story about the Zulu people whose sense of rhythm, color, dance and song, as well as the spirit of the African imagination, is exerting its influence on the other continents of the world. Word of Ardmore has spread far and wide and those who believe they have the talent arrive at the Ardmore studios either in the foothills of the Drakensberg or the rolling hills of Caversham in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. Many have little knowledge of sculpture and painting and mostly no experience of ceramic art, they learn quickly and within a short time develop their own particular styles of sculpting and painting.
Their patience and extraordinary ability to pay attention to detail gives rise to artwork of tremendous charm and beauty. The creative talent of the artists, their learned skills and their desire to succeed, have resulted in their earning a special status amongst their friends and families and becoming known as the `Isigiwili’, which describes their abundant good fortune.
The traditional Zulu method of firing clay pots is to use cow dung and wood kilns. At Ardmore the artists have been introduced to electric kiln firing, ceramic paints and glazes as well as the technical skills needed to utilize modern ceramic equipment and materials.
The integration of traditional cultural skills with the advantages of western technology has led to the development of a unique art form which has earned Ardmore’s ceramics the description by Christie’s of London as `modern collectables’.
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The BAT Centre is Durban's vibrant multi-purpose arts centre merging visual and performing arts under one roof. The bright mosaic and mural-covered building has undergone a complete transformation from its former navy hang-out days. Here you will find galleries, artists-in-residence, plus performances of folk music, poetry and spoken-word. The auditorium is the site of the main events held at the BAT Centre. It can hold up to 750 people or 500 people
seated and has dressings rooms and ablution facilities.
Why BAT? Acronym for 'The Bartel Arts Trust' this centre is also an urban-based community art centre that is a venue and facility for skills training, promotion and exposure of disadvantaged and emergent artists. The focus of the centre is local arts, culture, crafts and entertainment that reflects the Zulu, Indian and Western heritage of KwaZulu-Natal. The difference at BAT is the grassroots, the experimental, the cross-arts trends and the innovation that is promoted at the centre.
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Built on Catalina flying boats Control Tower on Wilson's Wharf - the theme and decor reflect the ambience of a creative and dramatic flying machine! Catalina Theatre is the dream of Durban Thespian, Director, Producer and Performing Arts Personality - Themi Venturas. New productions are staged every 2 - 3 weeks. Productions vary from comedy and the classics to drama and rock music. At Catalina there is a seat in their house to suit every artistic taste and personality. Bar staff are funky, the drinks are cold and the harbour view is breath taking. Say no more!
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The Natal Museum is full of interesting things, from Elephants to Birds to Zulu Pottery and San Rock Art.
With 8 Natural History and as many as 10 Cultural History galleries, a visit to the Natal Museum is a great way to spend a day!
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