Big names, bigger price tags

At R150 000 for a Sky Club table, who exactly is this event for and does that pricing risk excluding the very culture that makes the Durban July special?

- Lesego Chepape

For decades, the Durban July has existed as something much bigger than horse racing.

For decades, the Durban July has existed as something much bigger than horse racing. It is a place where fashion, entertainment, celebrity culture and aspiration intersect.

It is one of the few events in the country capable of pulling together artists, business leaders, socialites, influencers and everyday racegoers into a single shared experience.

This year, a new marquee hopes to become one of the defining destinations of the event.

The Ascots, a premium hospitality experience inspired by the elegance and social theatre of Britain’s Royal Ascot, will make its debut on 4 July with an ambitious promise: to create a world-class hospitality experience unlike anything the Durban July has seen before.

The line-up alone has generated considerable excitement.

Grammy-nominated artists Bryson Tiller, Masego and Swae Lee are set to headline the experience alongside South African stars Cassper Nyovest, Shekhinah, Elaine and Tresor. Curated sets from Brian Henry, Akio and Durban-born Asynte will keep the atmosphere moving throughout the day.

Yet Aline Media Group founder Sibo Mhlungu says the artists were never meant to be the entire story.

“The line-up is important but we're trying to create something much bigger than that,” he says. “We're trying to create an experience that people will remember.”

That word “experience” comes up repeatedly throughout our conversation.

In an era where every event promises luxury, exclusivity and premium access, Mhlungu believes the real differentiator lies in how people feel when they walk through the gates.

“Luxury is creating an environment that makes people feel safe and comfortable,” he says. “It’s creating an environment where people feel looked after.”

It is a surprisingly grounded definition.