Preparations for the annual Vodacom Durban July have been keeping various artists and event organisers working around the clock to make the weekend of July 7 memorable.
Hosted at Greyville Racecourse in Durban, the July is known for the glitz, glam, fashion, marquees, parties and exclusivity as much as for horse racing.
For the Afrotainment Marquee, Fact Durban Rocks pioneer, entrepreneur and record label executive DJ Tira is planning a day to remember.
Love, laughter and happy memories are the order of the day, the mega hitmaker said.
Dj Tira, whose real name is Mthokozisi Khathi, confirmed that the Afrotainment Marquee line-up will kick off with an electric laughter session with comedian Skhumba, whose real name is Skhumbuzo Hlophe, and the sounds of award-winning duo Distruction Boyz.
Durban July is next week!!! I hope everything is in order lapho!!! We starting at Afrotainment Marquee during the day then later we at Fact Durban Rocks! Ubumnandi bubuzwa eAfro!!! Mawufuna ukujaiva Woze Durban!!! See you Sat 7 July! pic.twitter.com/x3Vzv4wBWO
— Malume Bearings (@DJTira) June 26, 2018
“We are very excited about this year because we just finalised our deal with Skhumba to come and do a session at our marquee. Not everyone can be able to attend our shows that are in concert so the Durban July has a different vibe where we like to hang out,” Tira said.
“Skhumba is one of the biggest comedians in South Africa and he sells out his comedy nights. We feel that comedy has to be included into the mega-weekend,” he said. Previously, comedian Celeste Ntuli headlined the marquee.SKHUMBA LIVE AT #AfroVDJMarquee2018 sohleka kudabuke ijazi 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 Woza Durban July!!!! pic.twitter.com/QATZnIscN3
— Malume Bearings (@DJTira) June 27, 2018
The well-known producer, who has had over 15 years in the industry and eight years of hosting massive events such as the Afrotainment Marquee and Fact Durban Rocks, said this year is one for the books.
“As a record label, we will be hosting Afrotainment Marquee for the eighth time which just shows that we have come a long way. For us to still be relevant after so many years and still giving people good music, signing and launching artists’ careers, it shows that we are here to stay,” Tira said.
“I haven’t seen marquees pushing comedy as one of the highlights of the day, so basically, we have fashion, music and comedy,” he added.
Durban has been known as Mzansi’s hub of good times and vibes, and Tira expects over 15000 people to be part of this year’s extravaganza.