A brew master, two artists, a musician and a guest house owner are sitting at a bar…No, this is not the start of a bad joke – it’s an average Thursday in Eshowe, Zululand and the topic of discussion is which musician will be performing in the town next. These friends have, over the last 5 years, been working towards turning this quiet country town into an art, entertainment and wedding destination. Surprised? Eshowe is a place to expect the unexpected…
Brew master Richard Chennells loves three things: people, music and beer – a pretty good combination for someone who owns a hotel. The Chennells family have owned this country gem for over twenty years and since 2006 “The George” has been the primary home of visiting musicians and artists in Eshowe. From those beginnings, the town has embraced music and art and there are now a number of venues that host musical performances and art exhibitions throughout the year. The George houses the local pub and supports a number of musical performances every month particularly touring musicians from Cape Town and Johannesburg such as Laurie Levine, Josie Field, The Shabs, The Dandies and Words Untame, to name but a few.
The Wallroom café owned by fine art graduates, Clayton Human and Lindsay Philips has found a niche as the venue for sit-down cabaret performances and quiet gentle music acts such as Guy Buttery, Doc Maclean, Seb Goldswain and Tony Cox. Since the owners are artists, they place a great emphasis on the visual and their venue is testament to their creative flair and originality. Their business runs as a café and restaurant during the week and a multi-purpose venue over the weekends.
Across town is Thornley’s – a large family homestead that has been lovingly converted into a guest house and birding getaway. Owner, Simon Gardner, is an honorary officer with Ezemvelo wildlife, passionate environmentalist and born-and-bred Eshowean. His venue often takes on the bigger performances such as visiting bands and tribute shows. His purpose built stage, set under an enormous litchi tree has seen performances by Albert Frost, The Black Lapels, Bacchus Nel and Robin Auld. Having grown up in the house, Simon can attest to the fact that his establishment is literally built for entertaining guests with its cosy bar, braai area and spacious forest viewing deck.
Former teacher, turned musician Dave Starke moved to Eshowe in 2007 and has since become a mainstay on the local music scene. He supplies instruments and equipment to touring musicians as well undertaking the responsibility of ensuring quality sound engineering services. Dave plays locally at a number of KZN music venues and appeared on the first season of The Voice South Africa in 2016.
The skill sets of these young Eshoweans has not only facilitated some great concerts and parties like The Great Zululand Beer Festival, but has also led to Eshowe becoming a new and very popular wedding destination. All of the above venues are available for weddings and often the venues and operators work together to create truly one-of-a-kind wedding experiences.
When asked what he thought was the most surprising thing about Eshowe, Dave replied “It always amazes me how many people have some sort of connection to this place and also how many interesting people live here – people like explorer, Kingsley Holgate, artists Peter Engblom and Diamond Bozas, retired sportsmen, professors, writers, dreamers and thinkers. It’s actually like a little cultural Mecca in the heart of Zululand and almost nobody knows about it. I hadn’t even heard of the place before I moved here ten years ago and now I can’t imagine living anywhere else!”
Anyone interested in attending a music performance in Eshowe should check out:
The Zululand Cartel – https://www.facebook.com/TheZululandCartel/
The George Hotel – www.thegeorge.co.za
The House in Zululand – http://www.thehouseinzululand.co.za/
Thornley’s guest House – http://www.thornleysguesthouse.co.za/
Dave Starke Wedding Entertainment- https://www.facebook.com/Dave-Starke-285468971558765/
Other interesting activities in and around Eshowe include:
The Annual Soap Box Derby for kids
The Eshowe Hills Eco Estate and Country Club
Golf and Beer Weekends for corporates and bachelor parties
The Ngoje Trail run
Plenty of bass and tilapia fishing
The Prawn Shak
The Bozas Cup Rugby Competition
The Dhlinza Forest Aerial Boardwalk
Eshowe Sports Club