August 2017: In an innovative partnership that showcases South Africa’s diverse leisure tourism attractions through the powerful medium of film, this week sees the official South African premiere of the hit Nollywood action comedy 10 Days in Sun City.

The movie, which is the highest-earning film in Nigeria this year and topped that country’s box office for two weeks after its release in June, was unveiled to South African audiences on Thursday.

Aptly, the launch took place at the Sun City resort in the North West Province, where much of 10 Days in Sun City was filmed. The film, directed by South African-based Nigerian director Adze Ugah, will be released in 20 cinemas across South Africa on 25 August 2017.

This smash hit Nollywood blockbuster features Nigerian A-listers Ayo Makun (also known as AY), Richard Mofe Damijo, Mercy Johnson and Adesua Etomi, as well as rapper Falz and Afro-pop artist 2Face Idibia. It also stars South African actress Amanda Du-Pont and comediennes Celeste Ntuli and Thenjiwe Mosely, as well as Hollywood actor Miguel Nunes Jr.

South African Tourism has hailed the rom-com as a shining example of how entertainment and tourism can converge in a credible, creative and effective manner, thanks to mutually beneficial partnerships – in this case, between the film’s producers and Sun International.

Said Sisa Ntshona, South African Tourism’s Chief Executive Officer: “Nigeria is one of South Africa’s most important tourist source markets in Africa, as well as a valuable ally in growing tourism on the continent. With Nollywood being the second-largest movie industry in the world, we are thrilled that so many of Gauteng and North West tourism offerings have been given a prime starring role in this film, integrated into the thrill-a-minute plotline.

“Audiences are whisked on a rollercoaster ride of experiences in close proximity such as hot-air ballooning and safari game drives in the Magaliesberg, a cruise on the Hartbeespoort Dam, visiting Lesedi Cultural Village and high-end shopping in Sandton, then into the heart of Soweto to see Nelson Mandela’s house and the Hector Pieterson Memorial – all set against the luxurious and adventure-packed backdrop of Sun City itself.”

Ntshona said 10 Days in Sun City aligned perfectly with South African Tourism’s “5 in 5” strategy, which has set the target of attracting an additional five million domestic and international tourists within the next five years – including from the African continent.

He explained that the idea for the film was conceived after a successful hosting of Nigerian “influencers” by South African Tourism. “We thank Corporate World Entertainment, the producers, for choosing South Africa as the setting for their blockbuster and are confident that the cross-continental ties that were forged during this exciting project will continue to bear fruit as we showcase Africa to the world,” he said.

10 Days in Sun City has made N170 million (more than R6 million) at the box office to date, which places it as the highest-grossing film in Nigeria in 2017, ahead of the latest Fast and the Furious sequel and Wonder Woman, and the biggest Nollywood film of the year to date.

Following its South African cinema release through Times Media Films, it is slated for distribution in four Francophone African countries, as well as in the United Kingdom, France, the United States and Canada.

The guests that were taken on the trip, this time around, included Richard Mofe Damijo, John Dumelo, Francis Doku, Seyi Shay, Arese Ugwu, Bolanle Olukanniand Idia Aisien.

The journey began with the South African Airways flight which the Nigerian and Ghanaian group boarded from Lagos and Accra respectively. The flight which lasted only 6 hours was smooth and comfortable so that by the time the guests landed in from O.R. Tambo International airport, they were ready to board their connecting 1hr45mins flight to George situated in the Western Cape Province of South Africa.

Lunch time at the Bush Lodge

Upon arrival, their adventure began. They headed to the Bergsig Game farmwhere the guests boarded helicopters and went on private helicopter rides where they got to see a panoramic view of the beautiful city. From an altitude of over 8000ft over sea level, the guests were able to view the greenery, mountains and animals.

The crew at the helipad

RMD at the helipad

Seyi Shay at the Helipad

Arese at the Helipad in Mosselbay

Bolinto at the helipad

Next up, the guests got to visit the Nyaru Game Lodge situated in the heart of garden route a mere, 30 minute drive from the George airport.  The Nyaru game lodge provides a traditional restaurant that comes complete with a fireplace. The crew got the opportunity of enjoying the authentic African bush breakfast on the outdoor deck against nature’s very own picturesque backdrop.

Seyi Shay at the Nyaru Game lodge

RMD at the Game Lodge

Idia at the Nyaru Game Lodge

Idia, Arese and Bolinto

The next day, the group went on a visit to a small town called Knysna located along South Africa’s famed garden route.  The town is most famous for its oyster festival, warm people and the most magnificent views from Leisure Isle to the Knysna Heads. The guests’ first activity on arrival involved a power boat ride through the Knysna heads and down the Knsyna estuary! The Knysna waters are cool and clean making it a safe spot for speed boating.

The crew power boating

The Mountains on the clear Knysna waters

On their last day in the beautiful city of George, the guests visited the Elephant Sanctuary located at Crags, Plettenberg Bay!  The guests enjoyed a very intimate experience with the elephants as they got to ride the elephants taking in the view once again at an extended height. This time around, at the height of over 3,3m which is the height of an African elephant. Some of the guests also went on walks with the elephants leading them by their trunks.

Then, it was spa time at the Simola Golf & Country Estate set in high hills above Knysna. Here, they indulged in specialized body therapies and massages.

On their last night in George, the guests got treated to dinner on a boat cruise where they set sail on the calm Knysna Lagoon. Champagne, cocktails mixed with seafood and yummy cuisine was the order of the day as they looked forward to what would be a new adventure in the city of Capetown the next day.

Kelechi Amadi Obi, Arese, Bolinto & John Dumelo

RMD and John Dumelo

The anticipation for what was to come was built on the 50mins flight to Capetown from George and the guests looked on in anticipation to what Cape Town had to offer. The first activity the guests embarked upon was to explore Robben Island! Guests got the opportunity to intimately experience a segment in the life of one of Africa’s biggest legends and Nobel Peace prize Laureate, Nelson Mandela. They got the privilege of being inside what was his prison cell for 18 of his 21year sentence. They got to see the tally marks he made inside the cell as that was his way of keeping record of his time in prison. He counted the days stroke by stroke for all his 18 years of imprisonment in the cell.

Outside the cell, they were introduced to the limestone quarry where Mandela and the other cell mates had to break cement manually with sledge hammers every day for the duration of his imprisonment. It was a bittersweet moment as the guests gained increased respect and admiration for the African Icon.

Vroom vroom! It was adventure time once more for the crew. In grand style, they rode on Harley Davidson bikes from Signal Hill to the wine lands located in Groot Constantia Landgoed Estate. Here, they were introduced to the process of wine making. Founded in 1685, It Groot Constantia is one of South Africa’s oldest wine farms and a part of Cape Town’s big 7 top attractions! Here, the guests enjoyed the offerings of history, culture and of course, the unique blend of centuries old, ultra-premium cool climate wines.

No visit to Capetown is complete without a visit to the iconic landmark which also serves as one of the World’s seven wonders. If you guessed Table Mountain, you certainly guessed right. Sitting at a height of over 3,653ft, the guests were treated to cable rides to the top of mountain as they watched on in amazement at the breath taking view of the entire city of Capetown! From the infinitely laid green landscape to the vineyards and surrounding mountains and hill tops the guests were held spell-bound.

RMD and John Dumelo

Seyi Shay and RMD

The 2-day Cape Town Jazz Festival was in session while the guests were in the mother city of Cape Town so they got the privilege of attending the festival. This festival plays host to thousands of Jazz lovers across the globe every year with world class acts performing on stage. The smooth rhythm and blues from renowned acts such as Nomfundo Xaluva, Mango groove, Digable planets, Andra day, Camillo Lombard and a host of many more ended their last night in the Western Cape Province.

It was a bitter-sweet exit as the guests ended their tour knowing that this was only the beginning of more adventures to come. From family visits to bringing friends and spouses, they all vowed to return with their loved ones as there are so many more activities available in the beautiful country. The accessibility and affordability that South Africa presents also helped seal the deal!