As you trudge through your work and try to survive the Zululand heat, we’re here to give you some hope to get you through January.
Take a break from avoiding work for a bit, get out your 2020 calendar, and start diarising some exciting upcoming events, many of which are taking place right here in South Africa.
Music festivals
• Ultra South Africa Music Festival, Cape Town and Johannesburg – February.
For those into electronic dance music, then Ultra is the ultimate must-attend festival taking place this year. In fact, it’s so popular that the 2020 edition will extend to Jo’burg as well, with both festivals welcoming international headliners along popular local talent for this epic party.
• Cape Town International Jazz Festival – March.
Referred to as ‘Africa’s Grandest Gathering’, this annual jazz festival is the largest such event on the continent, and one of the largest worldwide.
In addition to the international jazz stars, South Africa’s home-grown jazz talent is given a real platform to shine.
Concerts
• Lighthouse Family, Johannesburg and Cape Town – March
The British musical duo will be celebrating 25 years of music with a first-time tour of South Africa this year. Enjoy the laid back tunes of this chart-topping band at Joburg’s Montecasino on 20 and 21 March, or GrandWest Cape Town on 24 March.
• KISS, Johannesburg’s Ticketpro Dome on 25 July.
For the die-hard rock ‘n roll fans seeking to relive bygone glory days, this is a tour not to be missed. After 45 years of hits, the four-man band will be ending off with the End of the Road world tour, stopping in for the final showdown in South Africa this July.
Expos
• Cannabis Expo at Cape Town’s GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World – 9 to 12 March.
If you’ve wondered what all the fuss is about this little green plant making waves worldwide, then make 2020 the year you find out more.
The four-day conference is going to be the global marketplace for education and innovative products and businesses serving the cannabis industry and its medicinal, agricultural, financial and lifestyle aspects.
Both international and local industry experts will engage with the public on the plant’s many uses.
• Comic Con Africa at Johannesburg’s Gallagher Convention Centre – 24 to 27 September.
For the comic book fans, there is no better place to be this year than Comic Con, where cosplay, comic books, anime, manga – and many other film series and games – will be part of the programme.
The event will feature toys, gadgets, clothing, collectibles, games and novels, as well as activations, gaming tournaments, promotions and cosplay competitions.
Sport events
• Tokyo Olympics from 24 July to 9 August; the Paralympic Games from 25 August to 6 September.
Last hosted in Japan in 1964, the summer Olympics return to Japan (a lucky country for South Africa considering our recent Rugby World Cup win), with Team SA ready to take home the gold.
The 60 000-seater Olympic Stadium was unveiled on 15 December, showcasing innovative features to beat Tokyo’s heat.
• European Championships (Euro 2020) hosted in 12 countries from 12 June to 12 July.
Hosted every four years, this much-anticipated major football championship will – for the first time ever – be hosted in 12 UEFA countries, with the semi-finals set to be hosted at London’s Wembley Stadium.
• ICC T20 men’s and women’s World Cup tournaments in Australia.
The 2020 women’s T20 World Cup, running from 21 February to 8 March, will see Australia as defending champions playing their opening match against India.
The top eight ranked sides (South Africa included) qualify for the tournament automatically, with Bangladesh and Thailand taking the two qualification spots.
The men’s World Cup is from 18 October to 15 November, with the West Indies as defending champions. The contest sees 16 teams competing, including the top nine sides on the rankings and host, Australia, alongside the top eight ranked sides in the Super 12 phase.
Beat those Januworry blues this 2020 with some entertaining calendar highlights!
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
For news straight to your phone invite us:
WhatsApp – 072 069 4169
Instagram – zululand_observer
