An epic morning in ‘Maritzburg!
Scores of people came to visit us outside the Pietermaritzburg City Hall on their way to school or work this morning.
During our broadcast, over 300 cups of coffee and muffins were shared with listeners and new friends who made their way to the City Hall to say hi to Darren, Natarah-From-A-Far-Ra and Good Guy Gabe and to let them know why ‘Maritzburg is so special.
Msunduzi Mayor, Chris Ndlela, dropped in too and officially welcomed the team to the city.
(He postponed an important meeting to be there! Thank you, sir!)
But not everyone who wanted to mingle with the team was able to make it to the City Hall.
ECR’s Facebook page and Twitter account were flooded with comments from locals who shared their reasons why they love PMB. Xolani Nyide was one of them – and HIS list was read out onair! He signed off, “Xolani Nyide: PMB civilian and a student.”
Another civilian and student did the city proud. Howick prep pupil, Caitlin Rode, scored 9 out 10 in the special edition Kids Grand Challenge. She may not have won the cash but she’s still a superstar in our eyes!
The morning’s goose bump moment was courtesy of the boys from the award-winning Kearsney College Choir. Decked out with orange gumboots, they showed everyone exactly why they are world champs, with their rousing performance outside the city hall. Kearsney Choir Master, Bernard Kruger, took Darren and Natarah through the boys’ recent phenomenal success in Europe.
Apart from the warmth and love the people of PMB showed him, one other thing blew Darren away during this 5th stop of the team’s province-wide tour: the bells. After the show wrapped up at 9am, Darren and Gabriel were privileged enough to meet the watchmaker and his son, and visit the City Hall’s bell tower. Afterwards, Darren enthused, “Wow! That’s all I can say, wow!”
The East Coast Radio Breakfast Tour bus rolls out of ‘Maritzburg today and rolls into Richards Bay later this afternoon. There will be a comedy evening with Darren at the Waterfront tonight and the team will crown the Best Braai Master in Richards Bay, during their broadcast tomorrow.
Thank you Pietermaritzburg for opening your arms and giving the team such an incredible welcome.
“You don’t need to go to Europe,” says Darren. “Leave Prague, leave Venice, leave Florence, leave Geneva, come to ‘Maritzburg and have a look at the exquisite architecture here. It’s absolutely breath-taking! This stop has been nothing short of epic. Thank you PMB!”
