The 2014 Dundee July Rural Horse Riding race will mark its 10 years in grand style. Under the theme “Freedom to Rein; Celebrating 20 years of Democracy”, this year’s event will pull all stops to showcase the glitz and glamour that have become vital part of this horse racing event.
The race will take place on Saturday, 19 July at its tradition venue, Dundee Horseracing track in Endumeni Municipality. As it has become a tradition, it will be preceded by a multi-cultural street parade on Friday through the town centre at midday.
The race is modelled on the most popular Durban July race. However traditional horse riding is unique in that the “jockeys” and racing horses are drawn from ordinary village riders from all over the province. The positive growth of the race has attracted participants from neighbouring Mpumalanga province and Lesotho.
MEC for Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation Mrs. Ntombikayise Sibhidla-Saphetha called on people of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) to be part of the celebration of 10 years of the Dundee Rural Horse Riding race and more importantly continue to celebrate the 20 Years of Freedom in style.
“We are expecting yet another spectacular Dundee July for 2014, especially as we celebrate its 10th Anniversary. This rural horse riding event has continued to see impressive growth in recent years,” she said.
“As government of KwaZulu-Natal, we are delighted because the event has positive economic spin offs for the small and local traders who, on the day, have access to thousands of people from across the province of KwaZulu-Natal, other provinces and neighbouring countries. Equally, the hospitality sector enjoys improved use of their accommodation facilities. We are positive 2014 will be a memorable for those who will be attending,” said MEC Sibhidla-Saphetha.
The event also affords aspiring fashion designers a platform to showcase their creations. It ends with an all-night long musical extravaganza featuring popular musicians and local artists. This is sponsored by our sister Department of Arts and Culture.
KZN Fashion Council has conducted a number of training workshops in the past few months in and around Dundee, Newcastle and Ladysmith to help develop aspiring designers.
Shavera Sayed, programme director at KZN Fashion Council said, “People can wear anything that celebrates them as individuals and celebrates our nation,” adding that the theme could be interpreted as South Africa celebrating its 20 years of democracy.
Meanwhile, the KZN Liquor Board has warned the organisers that there shall be strict enforcement of the rules for alcohol usage by the general public attending the race as well as by patrons of the many hospitality marquees.
In terms of the law no spectators/ patrons will be allowed to bring in liquor to the venue. People and cars coming in will be subjected to search and alcoholic beverages will be confiscated.
Equally “picnicking” and selling of liquor from the boots of cars and illegal vending tables will not be allowed.
The holders of hospitality marquees will also not be allowed to serve alcohol unless they have applied and have been granted a special event liquor licence. This has to be applied for no less than two weeks before the event.
Only permitted small businesses or vendors will be allowed to operate within the demarcated areas. They need to apply beforehand at the Endumeni Municipality, and only 100 spaces are available. Unregistered vendors will not be allowed.
For more information on booking a trading stand or a corporate hospitality please contact the event co-coordinator:
Sandile Mbonane
Tel: 033 897 9400
E-mail: sandile.mbonane@kzndsr.gov.za
