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City Of Durban Real “Durban July” Winner
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Date: 2021-10-03 23:27:08

City Of Durban Real “Durban July” Winner

08 JULY 2019
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
City Of Durban Real “Durban July” Winner
 
The City of Durban was the real winner this weekend, as the cash injection into the local economy, pegged on the Vodacom Durban July, ran into hundreds of millions of rands.
 
EThekwini Municipality Acting Mayor Councillor Fawzia Peer, speaking at the 123rd Vodacom Durban July (VDJ) held on 6 July at the Greyville Racecourse, said the impact of an event such as the VDJ, the largest horseracing event in Africa, could not be underestimated.
 
“The hosting of events of this nature is important for the economic prospects of the City. More than R100m is injected into local economy through direct spend alone. This will make a contribution of R380m into the City’s GDP. Our hotels are at full capacity, and this economic activity will benefit SMMEs as well, who play a key role in unlocking jobs and growing the economy,” she said.
 
As part of the City’s involvement in the event, Cllr Peer said the City hosted key stakeholders to give them a first-hand experience of the City’s hospitality.
 
“We hosted a number of side events in townships around Durban, and bring the Durban July experience to our people. We are robustly embarking on enhancing the township economy for growth and prosperity in the City,” she said.
 
Around 45 000 visitors arrived in Durban, dressed in finery and keeping with the theme of “Stars of Africa”.
 
As part of the fashion line-up, several local designers were given an opportunity to showcase their talent at the event.
 
The award for VDJ Young Designer of the year went to Durban designer Lorraine Makhosazane Ntshangase, who trades under the name “Sistas Felas”. This award is presented by the Durban Fashion Fair, an initiative of eThekwini Municipality.
Ntshangase is also part of the 2019 Durban Fashion Fair mentorship programme, and has just had a huge boost to her career with the award.
 
Ntshangase said: “I still can’t believe that I won such an award, I have only been in this industry for two years. I hope to open my new studio soon.”
 
Sindi Shangase, programme manager for the Fashion Development Programme, in the Business Support, Tourism and Markets Unit, said she was proud of Ntshangase’s growth.
 
“This year in terms of the competitions, they did so well to interpret the main VDJ theme, and Lorraine’s work stood out. She deserved to win, and we hope to see her succeed in her career and come back and mentor other aspiring designers,” said Shangase.
 
ENDS
 
Issued by the eThekwini Municipality’s Communications Unit. For media enquiries contact Msawakhe Mayisela on 060 966 4220