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All eyes will be on Australian Nick Sloman when he dives in for the men’s elite race at the aQuellé Midmar Mile on Sunday. Fresh from a fifth-place finish in the 10km event at the World Aquatics Championships in Doha, the 2019 Midmar champion has made his intentions clear – he’s out to break Chad …
A team of 13 South African swimmers leave tonight for the World Aquatics Championships in Doha, looking for their final taste of major international competition before the Olympic Games later this year. Veteran Chad le Clos will compete at his eighth long course World Championships event in Doha, having collected seven medals at the event …
If ever there was a swimmer who embodied the adage that age is just a number, it would have to be Tommy Gibson. The Benoni resident only started swimming training at the age of 71 and this weekend will see him competing in his third aQuellé Midmar Mile. “I started running at 63 and about …
For many years, the Albertyn family have cleaned up when it comes to dominating the various age group categories at the aQuellé Midmar Mile. But there’s a new name that keeps popping up at the top of race results, and this year could see the Markgraaffs giving the Albertyns a run for their money. At …
As thousands of swimmers put the finishing touch to their preparations for the aQuellé MIdmar Mile, one man on the other side of the world is wishing he was headed back to the shores of the KwaZulu-Natal dam next weekend. That’s two-time defending men’s champion Connor Buck, who since his second straight victory last year …
Welcome to our comprehensive guide on holistic approaches to enhance male sexual health and performance. In this article, we will explore natural remedies, lifestyle factors, and natural supplements that can help improve male libido, vitality, and overall sexual health. Whether you’re looking for natural solutions to boost your sexual performance or seeking holistic methods to improve …
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common condition that affects millions of men worldwide, impacting their sexual health and overall well-being. While there are various factors that contribute to ED, research suggests that diet plays a crucial role in erectile function. By making informed dietary choices, men can potentially improve their erectile health and enhance their …
Summer is here and it’s time for a refresh! Now is the perfect opportunity to reinvent your goals and reintroduce healthy habits with our Pulse Active range to bring fun into your fitness journey. Elevate your flexibility and sleep quality with our Yoga equipment. Picture yourself bouncing on the vibrant Yoga Ball and unwinding on the …
29 January 2024 – Two swimmers are aiming to finish the aQuellé Midmar Mile for an incredible 50th time when the event takes place at the famous KwaZulu-Natal dam next month. Both Gail Bristow and Martin Godfrey have completed the world’s largest open water event 49 times and are on track to reach their half-centuries …
As the Africa Cup of Nations heads into the Round of 16 this weekend, former AFCON champion Mark Fish isn’t focused entirely on football. The 1996 winner is still making time for his swimming training ahead of next month’s aQuellé Midmar Mile. “Training is going well,” he explained. “I am in San Pedro in the …
Swimmers eager to dive into the challenge of next month’s aQuellé Midmar Mile have been given an extra week to get their pre-entries in. Race Director Wayne Riddin confirmed that the pre-entry deadline has been extended from 25 January to midnight on 31 January. “As the interest and excitement surrounding the aQuellé Midmar Mile continue …
The final seeding swim for the 2024 aQuellé Midmar Mile took place on Saturday and Sunday with a record number of swimmers converging on Prime View Adventure & Leisure in Midrand to compete. Various distance races were spread across two days at the popular venue with 17-year-old Matthew Caldwell emerging victorious over 1.5km, 3km and …
Organisers of the aQuellé Midmar Mile have confirmed that Australian Nick Sloman will head up the international field taking part in this year’s race. The 2019 men’s champion will head back to the famous KwaZulu-Natal race after the World Aquatics Championships in Doha and has set his sights not only on regaining the title, but …
12 January 2024 – The 2024 aQuellé Midmar Mile will once again play a massive role in raising millions of rands for charities this February. Thousands of swimmers are already working hard to raise funds for the various charitable organisations they will be representing at the 8-11 February event. Among them is a group of …
Minor Hotels Signs Deal for Visionary Safari Experience in Zambia Anantara Kafue River Tented Camp to launch in 2025 in Kafue National Park Minor Hotels, an international hotel owner, operator and investor with more than 540 hotels in 56 countries in Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, the Indian Ocean, Europe and the Americas, is …
Radisson Hotel Group (https://www.RadissonHotels.com) is proud to announce the opening of Radisson Safari Hotel Hoedspruit, its first Safari hotel in Africa and 11th hotel in South Africa. Tucked between two renowned nature reserves, Kruger National Park and Blyde River Canyon, the hotel is located 2km outside of Hoedspruit in the heart of the grasslands in the Limpopo province and just 20 minutes from Eastgate Airport.
Boasting majestic views of the Drakensberg mountains, the highest mountain range in Southern Africa, Radisson Safari Hotel Hoedspruit (https://apo-opa.co/3TEcOPf) is surrounded by endless destination-immersing activities. Guests can take part in bucket-list safari adventures to spot local wildlife such as lions, rhinoceros, and elephants, go trekking on horseback, or take in the sprawling landscape from a hot air balloon.
Radisson Safari Hotel Hoedspruit offers a range of room types from standard rooms with garden and mountain views to Premium Suites featuring their own private pools and relaxing outdoor seating areas to take in the natural landscape. With a contemporary Scandinavian design, the hotels 138 rooms and suites provide a calming setting with natural materials, wooden details and rich, earthy colors that pay homage to its African surroundings.
At the thatched roof restaurant, Mirage, guests can enjoy South African and Lebanese-inspired cuisine on the restaurant's wrap-around deck, with convenient access to a sunbathing area and pool in the summer, as well as an outdoor fireplace on cooler evenings. Pegasus restaurant offers fresh and wholesome Mediterranean, Italian, Mexican, and American-inspired dishes as well as gourmet ice cream and frozen cocktails, served alongside the adults-only swimming pool. At the hotel's third restaurant, Boma, guests can indulge in some of Africa's most popular delicacies such as the local sausage, Boerewors; Bobotie; and selection of game meat, while listening to the soothing crackling of the fire and stargazing in the clear night's sky.
“We are thrilled to open the doors of our first safari-inspired hotel in South Africa. The opening of Radisson Safari Hotel Hoedspruit marks our 11th hotel opening in South Africa and completes our own Golden Triangle Safari offering with exquisite properties in Cape Town and the recently opened Radisson Blu Resort Mosi-oa-Tunya in Livingstone,” said Tim Cordon, Chief Operating Officer, Middle East & Africa, Radisson Hotel Group.
“My team and I are thrilled to introduce the world to the perfect combination of hospitality with Radisson's renowned Yes I Can! Service philosophy and our unmatched safari-inspired setting. Our extensive offering will ensure guests have an unforgettable experience whether they are enjoying a family holiday, a serene couples escape, or a meeting and event in a unique backdrop,” said Charles McCarthy, General Manager of Radisson Hotel Safari Hoedspruit.
Featuring a planter roof and inspiring views of the surrounding grasslands, Radisson Hotel Safari Hoedspruit will offer a tranquil and rejuvenating escape at its Amani Spa. Guests can indulge in a variety of pampering treatments in the spa's five treatment rooms including a private couple's suite. The spa also features a health bar, hair and nail salon and a soothing steam room. A 24-hour fitness center is also accessible to guests looking to stay active during their stay and offers the latest modern cardio and strength training equipment as well as yoga or Tai Chi sessions tucked away among the grasslands.
The hotel's versatile meetings and events spaces consist of five different meeting venues, including comfortable boardrooms, meeting rooms, and a main banquet hall that can accommodate up to 200 guests.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Radisson Hotel Group.
Media contact:
Saadiyah Hendricks
Area Director, PR & Social Media, Middle East, Africa and Mediterranean
Radisson Hotel Group
saadiyah.hendricks@radissonhotels.com
Nataliya Tkachenko
Senior Global Manager Consumer PR
Radisson Hotel Group
nataliya.tkachenko@radissonhotels.com
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Connect with Radisson on:
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Radisson Hotel Group:
The Radisson family of brands can be found around the world in more than 120 countries, with currently over 1,700 hotels in operation and under development. Radisson Hotel Group operates the business in EMEA and APAC with over 1,150 hotels in operation and under development. The international hotel group is rapidly growing with a plan to significantly grow the portfolio. The Group's overarching brand promise is Every Moment Matters with a signature Yes I Can! service ethos.
The Radisson family of brands portfolio includes Radisson Collection, art'otel, Radisson Blu, Radisson, Radisson RED, Radisson Individuals, Park Plaza, Park Inn by Radisson, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, and prizeotel brought together under one commercial umbrella brand Radisson Hotels.
Radisson Rewards (https://apo-opa.info/3Ir36tx) is Radisson Hotel Group's loyalty program, which delivers an elevated experience that makes Every Moment Matter. As the most streamlined program in the sector, members enjoy exceptional advantages and can access their benefits from day one across a wide range of hotels in Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific.
Radisson Meetings (https://apo-opa.info/3xmLTuL) provides tailored solutions for any event or meeting, including hybrid solutions placing guests and their needs at the heart of its offer. Radisson Meetings is built around three strong service commitments: Personal, Professional and Memorable, while delivering on the brilliant basics and being uniquely 100% Carbon Neutral.
At Radisson Hotel Group we care for people, communities and planet (https://apo-opa.info/40VCkR2) and aim to be Net Zero by 2050 based on the approved near-term Science Based Targets. With unique solutions such as 100% carbon neutral Radisson Meetings, we make sustainable hotel stays easy. To facilitate sustainable travel choices, all our hotels are becoming verified on Hotel Sustainability Basics.
The health and safety of guests and team members remain a top priority for Radisson Hotel Group. All properties across the Group's portfolio are subject to health and safety requirements, ensuring we always care for our guests and team members.
For more information, visit our corporate website (https://apo-opa.info/42HIP9S).
About Radisson:
Radisson is an upscale hotel brand that offers Scandinavian inspired hospitality, which enables guests to find more harmony in their travel experience. With natural surroundings and unexpected delights, Radisson inspires the art of being in the moment. We are committed to helping our guests find the right balance for their stay, removing the discomforts travelling may bring and enabling them to switch off and relax, using our Yes I Can! attitude to ensure satisfaction of every guest. Radisson hotels can be found in suburban and city settings, near airports and leisure destinations. Guests and professional business partners can enhance their experience with Radisson by participating in Radisson Rewards, an international loyalty program offering exceptional benefits and rewards.
Radisson is part of the Radisson family of brands, which also includes Radisson Collection, art'otel, Radisson Blu, Radisson RED, Radisson Individuals, Park Plaza, Park Inn by Radisson, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, and prizeotel brought together under one commercial umbrella brand Radisson Hotels.
For reservations and more information, visit our website (https://apo-opa.info/3p4KNn5).
19 December 2023 – Four South African swimmers achieved qualifying times at the World Aquatics Championships trials held in Durban from 14-18 December. Tatjana Schoenmaker led the way, swimming qualifying times in both the prelims and finals of the 50, 100 and 200m breaststroke – achieving the latter in her fastest time since breaking the …
Durban beaches safe for swimming
As thousands of holidaymakers are expected to descend on Durban shores for the festive season, eThekwini Municipality Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda has assured visitors and residents that the city’s beaches are safe for swimming.
Kaunda gave his assurance as he officially reopened the iconic uMhlanga Rocks Whalebone Pier to much fanfare and public applause, just in time for the bumper festive season in Durban.
Kaunda said the results conducted jointly with the Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology (IWWT) at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) revealed an improvement of the beach water quality.
“The city’s results sampled on 12 December, as part of its weekly routine testing, have also revealed that of the 23 bathing beaches, 20 beaches are e-coli compliant with acceptable standards for swimming and other water recreational use.
“The safety of residents and visitors remains a priority and with constant testing, we want to assure holidaymakers and residents of their safety. These results confirm an improvement in our beach water quality, as most are compliant with excellent and acceptable standards for swimming and other recreational use,” Kaunda said.
The Mayor said the city has a team of expert scientists that are hard at work testing the water quality at the municipal ISO 17025 accredited laboratory.
Kaunda emphasised that the municipality is transparent with the results, which are shared publicly.
“If there are poor results, the pollution team immediately traces the source so that remedial work is done to stop the pollution,” he said.
The city also conducts re-sampling to ensure the quality of beach water so that an informed decision is made whether or not to close a particular beach.
Kaunda said the city will continue joint sampling with an independent organisation, including the IWWT and Adopt-A-River, whose samples are tested by Talbot.
“The city does daily monitoring of all 23 bathing beaches to make an informed decision. However, for joint sampling, only selected beaches are tested, and some of which are non-bathing.
“Beaches that have poor water quality are closed and the public is informed when the water at beaches has been tested and if they are safe for swimming. This routine weekly testing is continuing and conducted across all the city’s 23 bathing beaches,” Kaunda explained.
The beaches that are open include uShaka, Addington, Point, North, Bay of Plenty, Wedge, Battery, South, Country Club, Thekwini, Laguna, uMhlanga Main, uMdloti Main, Bronze, Westbrook, uMgababa, Toti Main, Reunion, Warner and Brighton.
The beaches that are closed include Pipeline, Winkelespruit and Anstey’s.
Thirty-four swimming pools are open, and these include the Laguna Paddling Swimming Pool, which was reopened recently after it was closed due to infrastructural challenges.
Kaunda also announced that the repairs at the popular Children Amusement Centre swimming pool, which is along the beachfront, are expected to be completed soon.
He said 65 beach guides will be stationed across the various city beaches to aid visitors and an additional 160 seasonal lifeguards have also been deployed to beaches.
“This attests to the fact that the city is ready to host a safe and memorable festive season for the anticipated 792 410 visitors expected to flock to Durban,” Kaunda said.
Increased police visibility
On safety measures, Kaunda said the city has beefed up its staff complement as well as increased police visibility at tourism precincts and along the beachfront.
“Further bolstering these efforts is that all Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras in the inner city are operational. Law enforcement will also be out in full force, with about 168 contract security personnel employed for the duration of the festive season and the 62 new metro police vehicles will patrol the streets,” Kaunda said. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Tue, 12/19/2023 - 10:30
Celebrating South Africa's sports stars
South Africans will celebrate South Africa’s sports achievements and the Springboks World Cup victory on Friday, after President Cyril Ramaphosa declared 15 December a public holiday.
The Boks clinched a hard fought and historic victory during a tough encounter against New Zealand in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final held in Paris in October.
The Boks are the only national team who have won the Rugby World Cup four times.
In an address to nation shortly after the win and following public calls for a public holiday to celebrate the victory and sports achievements in true South African style, President Ramaphosa said the holiday would only be held after the matric final exams.
“In celebration of the Springboks’ momentous achievement and the achievements of all our other sports men and women, and as a tribute to the resolve of our united nation, I am declaring Friday the 15th of December 2023 as a public holiday.
“We declare this to be a day of hope, a day of celebration and unity. Our sports men and women have shown us what is possible. We will succeed and we will ensure that we leave no one behind,” President Ramaphosa said.
The year 2023 has been a glittering year for South African sports and its stars. Notable achievements include:
Earlier this week in his newsletter to the nation, the President urged South Africans to come together to “remind ourselves of everything that we love about South Africa”.
The President called on South Africans to mark a special public holiday to celebrate the historic victory of the Springboks in the Rugby World Cup.
“Their victory, alongside many other achievements by South Africans on the global stage, is a reminder of our country’s tremendous strengths and the promise that it holds.
“Let us come together on Friday to remind ourselves of everything that we love about South Africa. Let it be a day of hope, celebration and unity. I wish all South Africans a safe, peaceful and restful festive season as we all prepare for a successful new year,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Thu, 12/14/2023 - 11:50
Swimming action is far from over for the year with several of the country’s top athletes converging on Durban for the World Aquatics Championships trials which take place at the Kings Park Pool from 14-18 December. Among those taking to the starting blocks in Durban is Olympic champion Tatjana Schoenmaker who is down to compete …
Boasting the highest number of Blue Flag beaches in KZN, as well as being the chosen site for the launch of this year’s KZN Summer Campaign, the KZN South Coast is on track to welcome an influx of holidaymakers looking to beat the summer heat this festive season. “We saw a surge in tourism numbers …
5 December 2023 – South African Para surfer Similo Dlamini will be among the thousands of swimmers who return to Midmar Dam from 8-11 February next year for the 2024 aQuellé Midmar Mile. Dlamini, who has a congenital condition that means her right leg is shorter than the left and she needs to use a …
Palaeobiologist Anusuya Chinsamy-Turan speaks at GroundUp’s Science for the People seminar
Former world champion and defending women’s aQuellé Midmar Mile champion Sharon van Rouwendaal has hailed the famous KwaZulu-Natal race as a truly unique event – and one she would love to return to in 2025. The Dutch woman competed in the aQuellé Midmar Mile for the first time in 2023 and powered her way to …