Durban July: Where creativity runs wild

Lucy Kgweetsi | Wednesday July 9, 2025 16:27

But behind the scenes, the race is only one part of a bigger picture, one that buzzes with creativity, collaboration, and hustle. This is where Durban’s vibrant creative industry truly comes alive. Each year, as the city gears up for the July, designers, makeup artists, hairstylists, photographers, and countless others flood Durban, turning it into a sprawling, moving creative hub. It is like a festival within a festival, a creative playground where deadlines are tight but energy is even tighter. Freelancers and small businesses set up shop anywhere they can find space whether it is a guesthouse balcony, a hotel room, or a pop-up studio in someone’s living room. Social media messages fly fast and furious, booking appointments for last-minute hairdos or bespoke outfits that capture the spirit of the event’s theme. It is a whirlwind, a perfect mix of artistry and entrepreneurship.

Winile Mntungwa, Deputy Head of Durban Tourism, points out the bigger picture, “Durban July is an important event that brings together many stakeholders. Beyond tourism, it supports a range of industries and creates opportunities for creatives to engage with a diverse audience.” That’s exactly what makes this weekend special, it’s not just about horses, it’s about people making magic happen.

Handmade accessories and locally crafted jewelry pop up alongside more formal fashion shows, offering a glimpse of Durban’s rich cultural textures. Vendors embrace modern tools like mobile payments, blending tradition with convenience. It is a marketplace alive with colour, sound, and story. Photographers and videographers don’t just capture the glitz on the track, they hunt for the moments off it: the braided hair catching the sunlight, the bold lipstick ready for a selfie, the designer’s final stitch before showtime. Their work spreads through social feeds, helping creatives build their reputations far beyond the city limits. Music and nightlife get a boost too. DJs, event organisers, and performers ride the wave of Durban July energy, hosting after-parties and events that keep the city’s creative pulse beating long after the last race is run. These gatherings are often informal, spontaneous, and packed with people hungry for connection and new experiences. What’s striking about the Durban July creative scene is how it mixes formal and informal players, seasoned pros and fresh faces.

The weekend becomes a meeting point for ideas and opportunity, where a young stylist can meet a photographer, a designer can showcase a new collection, and a vendor can sell handcrafted goods to an eager crowd. Mntungwa’s words reminds of why this matters “The event opens doors for many creatives, from designers to digital artists, providing a platform where talent meets opportunity.” So yes, the horses run fast, but so does Durban’s creative energy. And for those involved, the Durban July is not an event, it is a chance to race ahead on their own terms.