Durbanville, a town rich in history and culture, is set to host its inaugural Kultura Festival, a celebration coinciding with two significant milestones: the 100th anniversary of Afrikaans as an official language and the 200th anniversary of Durbanville itself. This much-anticipated event will take place from June 20 to June 27, 2025, at Curro Durbanville High School, which is excited to bring the community together through culture, music, and language.
Isa Swanepoel, head of Curro Durbanville High School, expressed her enthusiasm for the festival, stating, "There is nothing that brings a community as close as culture, music and language. These things directly speak to the heart." The Kultura Festival aims to showcase a variety of performances that resonate with all tastes, featuring renowned artists and productions.
The festival lineup includes prominent figures such as Sandra Prinsloo, who will perform in the acclaimed war drama Kamphoer, and Marion Holm, known for her engaging show Marion Monroe. Comedians Marc Lottering and Barry Hilton are also set to entertain audiences. Additionally, the Cape Town Junior Philharmonic Orchestra will perform alongside vocalist Zanne Stapelberg, while rapper Early B, accompanied by DJ Justin Vega, promises to get festival-goers dancing.
In addition to the performances, the festival will host the Nou praat jy! public speaking competition, aimed at high school students across the nation. The competition, which encourages schools to enter their best teams, will focus on the theme "Afrikaans – ‘n taal van kleure en klank." The closing date for entries is April 24, 2025, and participants will have the chance to win cash prizes in two categories: Afrikaans Home Language and Afrikaans First Additional Language.
Given Durbanville's proximity to several vineyards, the Kultura Festival will also feature a Wine Festival from June 20 to June 22, 2025. Local wine farms, including Nitida, Maastricht, Canto, Meerendal, Klein Roosboom, and Groot Phesantekraal, will showcase their finest wines, allowing attendees to indulge in tastings and snacks between performances.
Tickets for the festival can be purchased through Quicket.co.za, and more information is available on Curro Durbanville High School's official website and social media platforms.
In other news, Demi-Leigh Tebow, a former Miss Universe and wife of NFL star Tim Tebow, is preparing for the arrival of their baby girl. Recently speaking to Us Weekly, Demi-Leigh shared her uncertainty about teaching her daughter Afrikaans, her native language, since Tim does not speak it fluently. "So my first language is actually Afrikaans, which sounds a little Dutch German, but Tim doesn’t speak Afrikaans," she explained. "And so I definitely… it’s such a big part I feel like of our culture too, the way that we express ourselves. Tim’s picked up on some of the important phrases so he can, I mean, he can’t hold his own completely, but he can pick up."
Demi-Leigh also noted that her parents might have differing opinions on the matter, saying, "I definitely want to teach her some words, but I think it would be sad to have a conversation with her and not have Tim be included. So I think that’s something I’m cognizant of." This thoughtful approach highlights the couple's commitment to creating a nurturing environment for their daughter.
As they prepare for parenthood, Demi-Leigh is already envisioning their family adventures, sharing, "I had a baby shower very recently and one of my sweet friends gave me the cutest little pink passport holder." She expressed her feelings about separation, saying, "I can’t imagine leaving her. So I mean, if I know how much I miss my dogs when I’m gone, I can’t even imagine with a child how you feel. And I think first and foremost, we’ll always want to do what’s best for her of course."
Demi-Leigh's new children's book, Princess Paris Finds Her Purpose, was released on April 1, 2025. The book is inspired by her Dalmatian, Paris, who embarks on an adventure in South Africa. "But something tragic happens, she loses her crown and this crown is something that’s very important to her," Demi-Leigh explained. The narrative encourages young readers to understand that their worth is inherent and not contingent upon external factors. "My hope and my prayer is that this book will be a conversation starter, but specifically between moms and daughters on that value isn’t something we earn, it’s something that we already have," she added.
Interestingly, Demi-Leigh wrote the book a year before discovering she was pregnant, making the timing of its release all the more special. As she navigates the complexities of motherhood, she remains committed to sharing her cultural heritage while also considering her family's dynamics.
Both the Kultura Festival and Demi-Leigh Tebow's journey reflect the importance of culture, community, and family in celebrating life’s milestones. Whether through a festival dedicated to the arts or a children's book that imparts valuable lessons, these narratives highlight the richness of experiences that shape our identities.
