Bulwer Park Glenwood: Sat 3 February
The first day-long Imbumba Fiesta will take place in Glenwood’s Bulwer Park on Saturday 3 February with a summer themed market, food stalls, info stands, an open mic and sun-downer concert – all with an underlying message of encouraging good neighbourliness, supporting underprivileged children and showcasing local artists and crafters.
Imbumba is an isiZulu language name that means “United together in one harmony”. It is hoped the Imbumba Fiesta will become an annual community event: “Our vision is to create a cohesive summer celebration to promote local businesses and in so doing help the helpless and give to the needy. Our vision is to paint the city with laughter and smiles of the children and to unearth and promote local talents in music and arts through an open mic platform,” says project manager, Sandile Sithole from Brithm Productions.
The Imbumba team is looking for stall-holders who which to trade either food and beverages, or arts, crafts, decor items, vintage wares and collectables and unusual gifts, clothing, accessories and jewellery.
There will also be stalls representing various charities, NGOs and partners to showcase the important work being done in the community – in particular the support options for vulnerable children.
They are also looking for participants for their Open Mic sessions which will take place from 10am until 2pm – so budding rappers, poets, singers and performance artists, you are invited to sign-up and share your skills and talent.
The Imbumba Fiesta is a project of Pietermaritzburg-based Mzala Nxumalo Centre for the Study of South African Society which works to promote the legacy of social activist, thinker, orator and writer, the late Mzala Nxumalo by focussing their research on the national question: What does it mean to be a nation? The centre has identified Glenwood as a social microcosm of South Africa: it is a proactive neighbourhood with a well-developed sense of community – an area which houses institutions for vulnerable children, a revamped public park and an active community gallery, among many attributes. Their vision is to create a fun day which brings together families from the neighbourhood, visitors to Glenwood, but more particularly the children, caregivers, staff and host families of the homes in the area including St Martin’s; Durban Children’s Home and iThemba Lethu.
The event will be hosted by Brithm Productions and supported by the Office of the Premier, eThekwini Municipality, corporate partners, donors, sponsors and community groups. One of the key strategic partners, Colgate, will be bringing their events truck to the Fiesta staffed by dental care professionals offering free dental check-ups and handing out complimentary toothpaste and toothbrushes to children.
The KZNSA Gallery will be open – inviting visitors to visit the gallery and shop, and also inviting visitors to enjoy their licensed restaurant and coveted coffee!
eThekwini Parks and Recreation will be supporting the day with a display of indigenous plants and trees and staff who can share knowledge about indigenous gardening. They will also be starting the day with an hour long park clean up from 8am to 9am to which the Glenwood community is invited to attend and participate.
Entry to the day is free and all are welcome. There will be a sun-downer family-friendly music concert alongside the gallery from 3pm until 7pm which will be a ticketed event – full details to follow!
Stall-holders wanting to trade; performers wanting a slot on the Open Mic stage or interested people wanting to become involved with Imbumba, should contact Gabriella Peppas on gabriella@ilifindo.com / 0785835517 – WhatsApp is best.
