It’s all systems go for the annual Dundee July, a rural horseracing event that brings the old coal mining town of Dundee in northern KwaZulu-Natal alive.

The race, which originated in the eNdumeni region of Dundee, a former coal town, has expanded tremendously. The event has since established itself as a significant must attend event on the horse racing calendar!

This popular event was established in 2005 for the purpose of rural, social and skills development for the people who are from previously disadvantaged communities.

The annual glitz and glamour event which is bound to attract tens of thousands of spectators from all over KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Free State, Mpumalanga and Southern African Development Community (SADC) member countries, Botswana and Lesotho, will take place on Saturday 20 July 2024.

Previous Dundee July events contributed more than R15m to the local economy and created over 3000 temporary jobs.

For the past decade, Ithala SOC Limited, a 100% owned subsidiary of Ithala Development Finance Corporation - KZN’s provincial development agency – has been a banking partner and sponsor of the flagship event organised by the KZN Department of Sport and Recreation.

Ithala’s mandate is to serve ordinary South Africans and help them to manage their money and create wealth, as it has done for the past 23 years.

In 2019, Ithala expanded its involvement in the Dundee July into fashion with prizemoney and a programme known as “The Legacy Programme” which focuses on creating sustainable rural development that goes beyond initial contact between beneficiaries and benefactors.

This has ensured that rural outreach, development and empowerment initiatives are impactful and sustainable over a long enough time to make a lasting impact on communities.

Dr Thulani Vilakazi, CEO of Ithala SOC Limited, said the Dundee July attracts a large following and provides an ideal platform in which to bring affordable and convenient financial services closer to the people of KZN.

“As a pioneer champion in banking the unbanked in KZN, transactional accounts will be opened for participants to safely receive their participation fees and winnings thus growing our transactional account base.

“Ithala will distribute stake money and appearance fees to all winners and participants this year,” he said.

Mntomuhle Khawula, KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Sport, Arts, And Culture said: “The Dundee July is not only about horses, but it also stimulates the local economy.

“Millions are injected into the economy of the district. Moreover, events such as Dundee July fit into the government’s plan to develop and revitalise rural towns.”

Khawula also said the event, preceded by a cultural parade, has also assisted in unearthing young fashion designers who would not have had the opportunity.

“It has also developed traditional horseracing into a competitive sport, bringing much-needed income to horse owners and jockeys,” he said.

Through a distribution network of 38 branches in KZN, Ithala provides convenient transacting facilities. It offers a comprehensive portfolio of corporate and personal banking solutions.

For more information visit www.myithala.co.za, call 031 366 2500. Follow us on Facebook @MyIthala, Twitter @MyIthala, Instagram @MyIthala, LinkedIn Ithala SOC Limited, #DefeniningWealth #IthalaMoneyTalks #MoveToIthala