Mar 15 2019
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Umthayi Marula Festival 2019 @ Sodwana Bay

By Sodwana Bay

iSimangaliso supports preservation of culture through nature conservationUmthayi Marula Festival 2019 During this festival, the entire community unites in preparing the special traditional marula beer and presents this to the King of the Tembe people, Inkosi Mabhudu Tembe, in song, dance and a feast for all at the royal palace in KwaNgwanase, northern KwaZulu-Natal. This commemoration was even more eminent this year after the prolonged drought experienced in the last four years throughout the region and the entire country. This was a huge reminder that conservation is for all, and this generation is no exception. Tradition requires that the nationally protected marula tree that is widespread throughout the province, the fruit of which is used to make the beer “ubuganu”, is conserved and made one of the preferred species to plant as we carry out our greening efforts as a nation. Inkosi Mabhudu Tembe and his regiment presenting a grand entrance into the Emfihlweni event site to the great anticipation of local community members, dignitaries from far and wide, distinguished guests as well as media. Skilled women, after brewing the beer, present their produce with happy song and dance to the King. Over 20 000 thousand people graced this year’s event. Distinct traditional outfits told a story of origin for many and showed that numbers came from eSwatini and Mozambique amongst other international guests. The steaming hot weather did not deter attendees as the mood of celebrations and festivity filled the entire stadium. Various artists performed to the delight of capacity crowds, featuring professional and celebrity artists such as Tira, Buselaphi, Zero Khumalo and others. Zero Khumalo is an iSimangaliso-groomed artist and a beneficiary of iSimangaliso’s Training & Capacity Building programmes that mentored and granted him his initial recording contract. Key speakers included His Worship Cllr. N. Mthethwa – Mayor Umhlabuyalingana Municipality; Cllr. T.S. Mkhombo – Mayor Umkhanyakude District Municipality; Inkosi Mahlungu – Chairperson of the National House of Traditional Leaders; Inkosi Mokoena – President of Contralesa; Mr. S. Zikalala – KZN MEC: Economic Development, Tourism & Environmental Affairs; Prince Russel Tembe and Inkosi Mabhudu Tembe, who all commended iSimangaliso on great work being done and looked forward to more benefits and developments in the region through iSimangaliso as a key tourism driver and an organisation mandated to deliver social development to communities adjacent to the Park.

Mar 11 2019
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The Sand under your feet and the Gorgeous waves in your site! @ Sodwana Bay

By Sodwana Bay

That day of travel is always the hardest. Early morning (for most earlier than usual) long drive, real early packing, double checking you have everything you want and need for your vacation. For most of us who hate mornings this is the most tedious time of the whole vacation. Not including the horrible long journey you have to take (especially from pretoria!). But guess what?! The best part is yet to come! Once you get to Sodwana Bay, you have unpacked everything that needs unpacking, you might have a few hours of daylight to spare (depending on what time you get to your accommodation grounds). Why not take a few minutes to reward yourself and go take a stroll on the beach. The reward is worth the wait! After that long hard journey down the only thing I can imagine making it all worthwhile is definitely seeing the sea afterwards. After all thats what you are there for! That warm soft sand between your toes and that beautiful sound and sight of the big wide gorgeous ocean. It doesn’t matter if you are there to: Snorkel, Scuba Dive, open water fishing, free diving or any other activities you can think of, it is still nice to take a step back and enjoy the ocean for what its worth! For more information on Sodwana Bay explore a little more of this website. There are many questions to be answered here, such as: where to eat, where to sleep, where to shop, etc. Also check out our YouTube channel, like and subscribe whilst you at it :)!

Mar 07 2019
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Good . . . How?

By Sodwana Bay

. . . and he will give you everything your heart desires — Psalm 37:4 When the Apostle Paul wrote the word “good” in the passage below, what did he mean? “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). He certainly meant the works—the things we are to do, the ways we are to serve—are good things, in and of themselves. And, of course, he meant the works are good for others, good for those people we are meant to serve. Going a bit further, though, could it be he also meant the things we are to do, the ways we are to serve . . . are good for us, too? Of course he did; of course they are. That’s precisely what Jesus was getting at when he said it’s “more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35) . . . or, as Eugene Peterson translates: “You’re far happier giving than getting” (Acts 20:35 MSG). It’s been nearly two thousand years and that notion is still counterculture. But the truth is . . . to give, to serve, to notice, to care, to love, to offer our strength to others, to live for others, is actually what brings purpose, fulfillment, joy to our lives. It’s how we men actually get to fully-alive and what-you’ve-always-dreamed-of kind of stuff. It’s one important reason why King David sang, “Delight yourself in the Lord; and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4). Okay, so what do we do? It’s simple. The only way to figure out whether Jesus was right on this or not, is to test it—personally. Someone needs you today. Someone needs you, right now. Look around. Who is it? Reach out. Go ahead and help him or her . . . and then, examine the state of your heart after you do. The post Good . . . How? appeared first on South African NEWS LINK. Source: South African LINK

Mar 07 2019
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Sodwana Bay – News and Events @ Sibaya – Sodwana Bay

By Sodwana Bay

Join our community and get up to date news and events for Sodwana Bay. We aspire to getting you the latest news and information as soon as we possibly can! Follow us on our personal journeys in Sodwana Bay and also get the latest news and event information.  Join our channel and while you at it like our videos and please subscribe!

Mar 07 2019
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We’re only fooling ourselves

By Sodwana Bay

He won’t let us down… If we lay down our lives which is filled with sin – He can do His part and tip the bin. If our sin has been forgiven – already – why are we living sinful lives? Our debt have been paid in full!!! If we claim that we’re free of sin, we’re only fooling ourselves. A claim like that is errant nonsense. On the other hand, if we admit our sins—make a clean breast of them—he won’t let us down; he’ll be true to himself. He’ll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing. If we claim that we’ve never sinned, we out-and-out contradict God—make a liar out of him. A claim like that only shows off our ignorance of God. 1 John 1:9 MSG

Mar 07 2019
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Ready to Go? Let’s Go.

By Sodwana Bay

Be ready for it! For I am ready . . . even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus—Acts 21:13 When we follow him, God will—sooner or later—ask us to do something we don’t want to do, to go someplace we don’t want to go. Maybe his “ask” will come through a nudge or as a thought in prayer. Maybe it will come as a prompt while reading Scripture. Maybe through the encouraging or challenging words of a friend. However it comes, it will come. After visiting Ephesus and Macedonia, the Apostle Paul got an “ask” from God the Holy Spirit to go on to Jerusalem (Acts 19:21). The Spirit warned him, however: if he went there, he’d be arrested. Paul’s friends begged him not to go. Paul answered: “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 21:13). For us to become the men we were created to become, for us to become the men the world needs us to become, we must act with the same boldness and confidence. Paul was bold and confident because he trusted two things: God’s in charge and God’s good. We must trust those too. For they allow us, like Paul, to trust one thing more: our affirmative answers to God’s “asks” are ultimately good for us, good for others, and good for God’s Kingdom . . . and will very likely become the proudest moments of our lives. Indeed, these “asks” lead us into the very adventures for which we were created. Okay, so what do we do? What do you feel God might be asking of you, right now? Is there anything you just know he’s prompting you, quietly, to do? If so, resolve to trust him. And today take a practical and measurable step—bold and confident—toward that thing.