Hope you're easing into the week gently — Saturday's looking cool at 19°C, proper jacket-and-promenade weather before summer comes barreling back. The sea's still a swimmable 22°, if you're brave.

📰This week:

a NASA astronaut touches down at a Durban school, jazz greats gather to honour a local legend, and Chaos Carnival rolls into town. Plus a koi show, a rabies drive that vaccinated over a thousand pets, and the usual stack of weekend plans.

Here's your week.

Astronaut Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger at Maris Stella (Sun 2 Aug)

A real-life NASA astronaut is coming to Durban. Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger — who flew aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery — visits Maris Stella School for Girls on Sunday 2 August, and it's a rare chance for young Durbanites (and quietly star-struck grown-ups) to hear what it's actually like to leave the planet. If you've got a budding scientist at home, this one's worth the trip.

Venue: Maris Stella School For Girls
Purchase Tickets here

🌤️WEEKEND WEATHER
Friday: 20°/14° · Rainy · sea 22°
Saturday: 19°/13° · Rainy · sea 22°
Sunday: 21°/12° · Overcast · sea 22°
Cooler Saturday near 19°C — jacket-and-promenade weather.

📰DURBAN THIS WEEK

Port tanker:

Durban's port just flexed. The Prince Edward Graving Dock welcomed its largest crude oil tanker in more than a decade — a reminder that beneath the beachfront glamour, Durban is still the busiest working harbour on the continent.

Jazz Tribute:

Some of the country's finest jazz musicians are gathering in Durban to honour the late Sipho Gumede, the legendary bassist whose sound helped shape South African jazz. A fitting tribute to a local great.
Source: IOL - Read Article

Rabies drive:

Good news from Durban South: a community rabies drive vaccinated over a thousand pets, a quietly heroic effort that keeps both animals and people safer. A reminder to check your own furry family's shots are up to date.
Source: The Citizen — Read Article

Koi show:

Durban North is getting excited about a koi show — yes, competitive ornamental fish, and yes, it's more captivating than it sounds. If you've ever admired those jewel-toned ponds, here's your chance to see the champions.
Source: The Citizen — Read Article

Women's Month trade fair:

Women's Month kicks off in Durban with a trade fair, as the minister launches proceedings in the city. Expect a spotlight on women-led businesses and makers — worth a look if you like to shop local and with purpose.
Source: The Citizen — Read Article

THU 30 JUL — Seussical JR
Seussical JR at Maris Stella School
Venue: Maris Stella School
Tickets:

FRI 31 JUL — Chaos Carnival 2026
Chaos Carnival 2026
Tickets:

FRI 31 JUL — KZNYO & CLIFTON - ‘In Concert’
KZNYO & CLIFTON - ‘In Concert’ at Ken Mackenzie Hall
Venue: Ken Mackenzie Hall
Tickets:

SAT 01 AUG — SYNC
SYNC at Club 386 Umhlanga Rocks
Venue: Club 386 Umhlanga Rocks
Tickets:

SAT 01 AUG — Material Matters: Bloom with Air Dry Clay (Hillcrest)
Material Matters: Bloom with Air Dry Clay at COFFEE HAVEN
Venue: COFFEE HAVEN
Tickets:

SAT 01 AUG — EODSA - KZN
EODSA - KZN at Izulu Theatre
Venue: Izulu Theatre
Tickets:

SAT 01 AUG — Dillan Oliphant, Victory Lap LIVE in Umhlanga at The Capital Pearls Durban 01 August 2026
Dillan Oliphant, Victory Lap LIVE at The Capital Pearls Durban
Venue: The Capital Pearls Durban
Tickets:

SAT 01 AUG — INK & IRON DURBAN
INK & IRON DURBAN
Tickets:

SAT 01 AUG — iGhosti Listening Session
iGhosti Listening Session at ALOHA Lounge-Morningside
Venue: ALOHA Lounge-Morningside
Tickets:

THU 30 JUL — Wine Bottle Painting Workshop - The Waffle Society - Ballito
Wine Bottle Painting Workshop at The Waffle Society
Venue: The Waffle Society
Get your Tickets

FRI 31 JUL — Family Matters- Marriage Seminar
Family Matters- Marriage Seminar at Durban Christian Centre Jesus Dome
Venue: Durban Christian Centre Jesus Dome
Get your Tickets

SAT 01 AUG — Book Launch
Book Launch at Taps On Twenty 4
Venue: Taps On Twenty 4
Get your Tickets

Umhlanga to Umdloti Morning Hike (Sat 1 Aug) — A gentle coastal walk with sea views the whole way. A lovely, low-effort way to earn your weekend breakfast
Get your Tickets

Secret Sunrise: Puppy Yoga (Sun 2 Aug, Sugar Rush Park) — Sunrise, stretching, and puppies. We're not sure it needs more explanation than that.
Get your Tickets

WED 05 AUG — Rogue's Gallery
Rogue's Gallery at Curro Salt Rock High School
Venue: Curro Salt Rock High School
Get your Tickets

FRI 07 AUG — Michael Jackson Tribute
Micheal Jackson Tribute at 100 Compensation Beach Rd
Venue: 100 Compensation Beach Rd
Get your Tickets

AmaZulu & Primo Sport Reveal Heritage-Inspired 2026/27 Kits
Source: Soccer Laduma — Read Article

Elevate your home with African décor — Local designers share their tips for bringing warmth and African character into your space. A bit of weekend inspiration for the home. (via News24)

Built on purpose — The story of entrepreneur Moses Tembe: his business journey, his legacy, and the lessons in it for anyone building something of their own in this city. (via IOL)

The shipwreck that's actually a theme park
When uShaka Marine World opened on the beachfront in 2004, its designers built the complex around a mock-up of a wrecked 1920s cargo ship — so visitors explore one of the largest aquariums in the southern hemisphere through the "sunken" decks of a phantom vessel. It helped breathe new life into the southern end of the Golden Mile.

Who's a Durban local — a maker, musician, or small business — that more people should know about? Hit reply; we're always hunting for our Durban-Made section.

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