With the R9,1 million Durban beachfront upgrade project nearing completion, the city’s jewel and main tourist attraction will set the stage in March for the inaugural and free to the public, Durban Land, Sea and Air Festival.
Story by Melanie Rosettenstein
Taking place from the 20th to the 23rd March, the spectacle is expected to draw thousands of spectators from KwaZulu-Natal and countrywide to marvel at a variety of exciting land, sea and air displays.
The festival will feature the exhilarating Sky Grand Prix of Aerobatics where top national and international aerobatic pilots will perform electrifying manoeuvres through pylons placed on the beachfront piers.
This is the first time an event of this kind will take place in South Africa and in an area that is not an airport. Festival Organizer, Brian Emmenis, of Capital Sounds, said, “Out of the five international pilots competing, three are the best aerobatic pilots in the world. As it is a FIA recognised event, the Sky Grand Prix of Aerobatics is internationally recognised as one of a handful of aerobatics events of this scale.”
Displays by the SA Navy and enforcement services, air-themed movies and live music will also have the crowds riveted. Emmenis said, “These displays will be a source of national pride showing the country what South Africa’s national forces have to offer.”
Durban has hosted a number of global events recently, including the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) and the ever popular Top Gear Festival.
Head of Durban Tourism, Phillip Sithole, says, “The City of Durban is proud to host the Durban Land Sea & Air Festival. The staging of the Sky Grand Prix of Aerobatics certainly highlights our growing track record of international events that have been successfully held by the city and new events of this nature play an important role in positioning Durban as an international events and tourism hub. We look forward to three days of exhilarating action and visual displays over our Indian Ocean and we warmly welcome all the participants to our shores.”
The Durban Land, Sea and Air Festival is free to the public. For more information please visit www.landseaairfestival.co.za.