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If you thought comic books and gaming were reserved for pre-teen boys and the odd IT nerd, we’re about to take off your blinders.
Geek culture is big. And more than that, it’s growing - with Durban its newest playground!
The city is home to a creative and surprisingly diverse geek community, where artists, gamers, comic book lovers, cosplayers, musicians, and designers regularly get together to celebrate the things they love.
And this year, they're stepping into the spotlight through Just Geekin', an exciting new addition to the Hilton Arts Festival curated by local creatives Daniel Sheldon and Iain ‘EWOK’ Robinson.
We caught up with Daniel to unpack what geek culture really means, where Durban's geeks hang out, and why this movement is only just getting started.
So... what exactly is geek culture?
According to Daniel, it's far bigger than most people realise.
“People often think geek culture is one niche hobby, but it's actually this huge web of creative communities that overlap,” he says.
Comic books, anime, gaming, cosplay, tabletop role-playing games, trading card games, miniature painting, K-pop, fantasy literature, science fiction, collectables, and digital art all fall under the same colourful umbrella.
"I mean, almost every month there's another superhero blockbuster in cinemas. That's geek culture too."
For Daniel, it all started with comic books. Growing up in Durban during the 1990s, he spent weekends walking between tea rooms hunting down comics illustrated by legendary artist Simon Bisley.
“I couldn't get enough of them. I was obsessed with drawing from a young age, and comic art became my gateway into everything else.”
His longtime friend and fellow Just Geekin' organiser, EWOK, followed a similar path through hip hop, graffiti art, theatre and music.
"Our friendship has always revolved around creativity."
Who are the geeks?
One of the biggest misconceptions is that geek culture belongs only to children or teenagers. Not even close.
“People call it youth culture because it's playful," Daniel explains. "But the reality is that our community spans every age group.”
- Parents play board games with their children.
- Professionals spend weekends painting miniature figurines.
- Adults compete in cosplay competitions.
- Families attend comic conventions together
Whether you're a lifelong Doctor Who fan, a Dungeons & Dragons master, a Pokémon collector, or you just really love those never-ending Marvel movies, chances are you've already got one foot aboard the geek ship.
Where do Durban's geeks gather?
Unlike mainstream sports or music scenes, geek culture often exists quietly in pockets across the city.
“It's almost invisible,” says Daniel. “The communities are there — they're just hidden in plain sight.”
Independent gaming stores, comic shops, hobby cafés, and specialist retailers act as gathering points where friendships form over trading cards, board games, and tabletop battles.
Groups meet regularly for Dungeons & Dragons campaigns, Magic: The Gathering tournaments, Warhammer battles, cosplay workshops,s and gaming nights.
The local cosplay community, led by Durban's Renfaire organisers, hosts themed events throughout the year where participants spend months creating elaborate costumes before showing them off.
“It's a bit underground, but it's a vibe and it's passionate people who work pretty damn hard to keep it alive!” he says.
Is Durban catching up?
Daniel believes KwaZulu-Natal has never lacked talent, only platforms.
“KZN is a cultural battlefield,” he says. “We have incredible artists, designers and creators, but many eventually leave for greener pastures in Johannesburg, Cape Town or overseas.”
South Africa's largest comic conventions are based in Johannesburg and Cape Town, but Durban has quietly continued building its own thriving scene through smaller conventions, such as Icon, with independent creators and community-driven events.
Now, initiatives like Just Geekin' are giving local creators a much bigger stage.
What can you expect at Just Geekin'?
“I don't think we could've asked for a better and more supportive platform than Hilton College and the Hilton Arts Festival,” says Daniel.
Some highlights include:
- Cosplay competitions and masquerades
- Artists' Alley featuring comic creators and illustrators
- Trading card games and tournaments
- Giant lawn board games
- Gaming zones
- Digital art demonstrations
- Miniature painting workshops
- Live drawing sessions
- Interactive role-playing games
- Family-friendly activities for curious newcomers
One of the biggest attractions promises to be celebrity Dungeons & Dragons campaigns featuring local theatre personalities and musicians, including Veranda Panda, Kerri Miller, Corné and Twakkie.
“Theatre is a parallel universe to geek culture,” says Daniel. “Role-playing games are basically improvisational theatre. Cosplay is costume design. Character creation, storytelling, set design - it's all connected.”
The event will also feature exciting collaborations with organisations including Inscape Design College, Dweba School of Digital Art, XP-Pen, Konke Gamers, WZRds Shop and Gaming & Entertainment Solutions (GES), bringing everything from digital drawing workshops and cosplay competitions to accessible gaming experiences for people with disabilities.
READ: Hilton Arts Festival adds KZN Art Fair and Geek Zone to biggest programme yet
What's next for geek culture in Durban?
Daniel doesn't hesitate: "This is just the beginning."
Although organising the inaugural event wasn't easy, support has snowballed as more partners recognised the potential.
"We've built something that represents the KZN geek community, and hopefully it's the first of many."
If Just Geekin' is anything to go by, Durban's geek scene is no longer hiding in the shadows. It's levelling up.
Book your show!
Check out the full Hilton Arts Festival programme.
Tickets for performances are available through Webtickets, while festival vehicle entry is R100 per vehicle, valid for all three days.
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