The world class uShaka Marine World, situated in Durban, South Africa, opened its turnstiles to the general public on April 30th 2004. uShaka has fast positioned itself as a key attraction on Durban’s Golden Mile, offering a world of entertainment, excitement, fun and uniqueness.
uShaka has brought together cultures, like no other place in Africa – into a safe, secure and clean environment that resonates the sound of fun, laughter and the spirit of togetherness. Entertainment is non-stop, extending from the daytime operations of Sea World, Wet ‘n Wild, and uShaka Beach, to the night time festivities of the Village Walk.” – uShaka Website
The National Environmental Management Protected Areas Act mandates SANParks to create destinations for nature-based tourism in a manner that is not harmful to the environment. As SANParks is primarily a self-funding entity generating approximately 80% of its operating budget from its ecotourism business; fulfilment of its conservation mandate is heavily reliant on a thriving and sustainable tourism operations.
SANParks’ business operations are founded on three important core pillars:
Conservation – the primary mandate of the organisation is the conservation of South Africa’s biodiversity, landscapes and associated heritage assets through a system of national parks.
Responsible Tourism – the organisation has a significant role in the promotion of South Africa’s nature-based tourism, or ecotourism business targeted at both international and domestic tourism markets. The eco-tourism pillar of the business architecture provides for the organisation’s self-generated revenues from commercial operations that are necessary to supplement government funding of conservation management. A significant element of the ecotourism pillar is the Commercialisation Strategy, which (through the implementation of Public Private Partnerships) SANParks has adopted to expand tourism products and the generation of additional revenue for funding of conservation and socio-economic development.
Socio-Economic Development – SANParks has taken a strategic decision to expand its role in the developmental support provided to neighbouring communities as an entity of the developmental state. In addition, SANParks is required to build constituencies at international, national and local levels, in support of conservation of the natural and cultural heritage of South Africa through its corporate social investment. It has to ensure that a broad base of South Africans participate and get involved in biodiversity initiatives, and further that all its operations have a synergistic existence with neighbouring or surrounding communities for their educational and socio-economic benefit, hence enabling the broader society to be connected to national parks.
SANParks is on a positive trajectory towards making the management of its conservation and tourism estate relevant to the people of South Africa and the World, by ensuring co-operative governance and the continued flow of socio-economic benefits.
It is the end of winter and the dawning of spring. Birds are singing. Flowers are blooming. The leaves are budding out. And the village and country folk from all around the nearby shires gather in Sherwood Forest for a festive season. Musicians, bards, gypsies, merchants, artisans and chefs all gather under the protection of Robin of Loxley, known as the outlaw Robin Hood, to celebrate Spring, break bread, sing, dance, and give thanks for another rebirth of nature.
Sherwood Forest Faire is a privately-held company run by a small team with the support of hundreds of volunteers who share our vision: to create a beautiful, magical place that is consistent with our six core values:
Authenticity, Community, Escape, Quality, Family, Fun
I love shooting fun & interesting places, which is why a quirky frozen yoghurt bar in Newlands, Cape Town, peaked my interest!
A relatively new brand in South Africa, they have quickly become a very popular hangout spot for both students & professionals alike. It’s a great place to hang out with friends, and I was so pleased to be involved in shooting their video profile for them.
50 froyo’s and a few brain-freezes later, we are happy with the finished product! It was a lot of fun & we’ll definitely be going back for more of the good stuff!
Wakaberry is a unique and interactive self-service, soft-serve frozen yoghurt bar; established in Durban, May 2011. We offer only the best 100% REAL frozen yoghurt which is SUPER LOW IN FAT! The froyo flavours vary from store to store, but customers can expect a wide variety including classics like Strawberry, Vanilla, Mixed Berry and English Toffee and quirkier taste sensations like Green tea, Pomegranate, Kiwi and Watermelon.
For best viewing quality, make sure to set the viewing settings to 1080p HD by clicking on the cog at the bottom right-hand corner of the video.
Zula Bar, Cape Town’s premier sound bar, is located at number 98 Longstreet.
The night we went to shoot was absolutely packed – see for yourself in the video.
The line was all the way down the road.
It really reflected the vibrant night life of Cape Town, South Africa.
I loved that this venue had people coming in to do all sorts – party, have a quiet drink or just have dinner.
They do breakfasts, lunches and dinners every day of the week.
They have various dance floors in different sections upstairs and downstairs, where people can listen to up to four different types of music on popular nights.
You can order a drink and then walk around until you find your kind of music.
Come in the week for stand-up comedy acts, acoustic music or bands and on the weekends to club.
They’re very well-known for their pizzas if you’re coming in for dinner with friends.
They’re open Mondays to Thursdays from 12pm-2am and on Fridays to Saturdays from 12pm -4am.
Here are some other interesting blog articles written about Zula on popular blogs:
For best viewing quality, make sure to set the viewing settings to 1080p HD by clicking on the cog at the bottom right-hand corner of the video.
I’ve always heard stories about The Rat & Parrot in Grahamstown, South Africa.
But I never believed them until I saw for myself the raucous behaviour that goes on amongst its devoted patrons – 90% of them students from nearby Rhodes University!
Our ‘Crew’ for the night!
Some of the drunk students we captured on film are hilarious and absolutely perfect to truly capture the atmosphere and essence of what you can expect here!
We had so much fun and it was an honour shooting their profile for them.
Everyone there was game and put their best foot forward when the camera was rolling…………. Thank you!
For best viewing quality, make sure to set the viewing settings to 1080p HD by clicking on the cog at the bottom right-hand corner of the video.
This quaint 78-seater theatre located in Kalk Bay, Cape Town, was actually originally an old Dutch Reformed Church.
It was built in 1876 and is a heritage protected building.
Going there to shoot for Skybok was super – we got great weather and shooting their video didn’t take too long.
I personally love the red interior and the upstairs where patrons can eat dinner before the show.
I think it’s a super idea – dinner and a show at the same venue.
The theatre is constantly showing new and popular theatre pieces….and the idea is that patrons arrive from 6:30pm and, after reserving their theatre seats, are directed upstairs to the restaurant.
There is a set menu and the food is mainly served before the show but drinks and dessert are served after the performance.
Patrons make their way down to the theatre when the show is due to start.
Drinks may be taken into the theatre but there is no service in the theatre during the show.
We loved the owners – very friendly and professional people.
Here is their website if you’re interested in finding out more about the theatre or the shows which are currently showing there (you will also see Skybok’s logo featured on the website, directing visitors to check out their video profile, which is really nice!) —–> THE KALK BAY THEATRE
For more photos Skybok took on the day, click HERE
