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The year is winding down and the scene turning up. With that in mind, we have carefully brought you a few people who know a thing or two about setting a venue to pop and ensuring a night that may be hazy to recall but impossible to forget.
Paul Mduduzi Mdiniso was born and bred in Mbekelweni, Swaziland, then came back to live at what he calls "the land of my great grandfathers in Paulpietersburg," after completing his matric. This brother started as a club promoter in the year 2002 at a venue called Scallas’s Cafe, which was in the heart of the north and south beaches of Durban.
READ: Durban July through my eyes
Now, Mdiniso is known for throwing lavish soirees all around the country. This year, he has already had a hand in a few bashes for the ages with the intent of hosting WozeDurban Picnic hosted annually at The Greyville Racecourse on the first day of each year. He is also involved in hosting the DJU Mother of All Parties that takes place annually at Kings Park Stadium, one of the biggest Durban July after-parties, and the Metro FM Awards public viewing area and official afterparty that used to be held at The Peoples Park back in the day when the awards were held in the city of Durban.
READ: Kgolo Mthembu-The guru of Durban's nightlife
Dude gets busy and it would seem Durban - SA’s playground - is a breeding ground for curators of groove. Mdiniso reiterates the challenges faced by his contemporaries, such as Kgolo Da Guru and Junior Lavie, for example.
He says:
He adds that trying to get big corporations to believe in this kind of business is hard even though people such as him coexist in similar spaces as some brands that rely on us hitting the streets in search of an enjoyable time.
“We always create platforms for them to sell their products to our market, meaning we share common consumers, but it is always a challenge convincing them to come on board. A big shout out to those that do.”
He says the order for the year might lean towards organisers hosting smaller gatherings, “as opposed to back when we believed vastly in big concerts”.
READ: Junior Lavie to provide spark at Luma
You keen to catch one of these shindigs?
Well, you can catch him at the Beverly Hills Hotel where a celebration of World Champagne Day will be held.
“We kick it off on Saturday themed denim and diamonds, then finish it off on Sunday with the All-White Affair. On Sunday, December 4, I am hosting the Any Given Sunday again at The Beverly Hills Hotel. Then, I am ushering my people into 2023, where I will be hosting the WozeDurban Picnic alongside my business partner, Oskido. This event will take place at the home of the Durban July, the Greyville Racecourse.”
