www.garnerproperties.co.za BUYING · SELLING · LETTING
Shop 1, Nieuport Building Recreation Road, Fish Hoek
082 900 3116 · 021 782 4908
E-mail: post@peoplespost.co.za
Tuesday 6 December 2011
Tel: 021 713 9440 Fax: 021 713 9481
Cars squash parade spirit TERESA FISCHER
A
DECISION not to close Kommetjie Road for the eMzantsi Carnival has been criticised by organisers, who say this was dangerous and contrary to the spirit of such an event. Traffic flowed in both directions for the duration of the parade, which lasted an hour. The parade was restricted to the pavement and the emergency lane, and only four people were allowed abreast. Having overcome financial threats from the delayed payment from the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF), the seventh carnival on Saturday 3 December was also battered by strong winds, but nevertheless still “went bos”. (“Far South carnival in jeopardy,” People’s Post, 15 November 2011). The NLDTF money came through at the eleventh hour – on Friday 2 December. Bridging finance from Standard Bank had covered the most urgent costs. “The reason why the carnival is such a powerful tool is that it is about reclaiming freedom,” says Sam Pearce, managing director of the Harlequin Foundation, the NPO that administers the eMzantsi community-building project. “A kind of euphoria happens at a carnival. Spectators and participants mix and people feel free; they get a glimpse of a different reality,” says Pearce. She adds that the Harlequin Foundation is very grateful for the support of the communities of the south peninsula and city services, especially traffic, in safely delivering another successful eMzantsi Carnival. But she says as a result of the adoption of a new by-law, the City Events Department set out very stringent conditions for the parade. Organisers had to employ professional marshals and trained 50 of their own marshals to hold the line. Pearce notes that it was “quite ironic” that this year’s theme celebrated alternative energies and for
ROLE MODELS: Children watch the 783 Movement Hip Hop Collective, featuring Young Terra and 4 Corners, perform at the seventh annual eMzantsi Carnival in the Far South at the weekend. See more on page 4. Photo: Teresa Fischer the first time had no fossil-fuelled floats in the parade. Instead, there were skateboards, bicycles, electric bikes and a green truck running on bio-diesel – which all ended up pushed aside by vehicles. But most importantly, she adds, the safety of the children was compromised. Simon Dunckley, designer of the time float – consisting of a large pair of revolving clock hands mounted on giant treadmill wheels – says this was frustrating and dangerous and missed the point of a carnival. “The parade turned into people
standing in a queue, marshalled by traffic. A parade should own the road for a brief free moment. Sporting events result in road closures, but for this community event, focusing on the children, they couldn’t even close one lane. “It is unfair, after all the effort that people had put into designing puppets and floats, and then they didn’t have the space to express themselves,” says Dunckley. He adds: “Personally, I think the city failed the kids. It shows a sheer lack of willpower on the part of the city.”
Pearce said the weather definitely affected spectator turnout, adding there probably 1 000 fewer people than last year. Ward councillor Alderman Felicity Purchase, chairperson of Subcouncil 19, says she was made aware of the road closure issue on the day but there was not enough time to do anything about it. She said she would take the matter up with city officials. The City of Cape Town was unable to comment by the time of going to press, but undertook to respond in the next edition.
• Daily 3-course lunches from R35
Fully licensed
• Function hire up to 30 people • Large homemade milk tarts to order
Winner “Best Eatery 2011” Open 7 days a week • Sunday 3-course Roast • Evening dining • Function hire • Smoking lounge • Platters
Fish Hoek’s best kept secret! 021 782 5723
Main Road
Fish Hoek
• Free ‘n fast takeaway delivery • Relaxed environment • Friendly staff • Great atmosphere 021 782 3931
Main Road, Fish Hoek