Cape Town Gets Jazzed Up for Annual International Festival | Western Cape Government

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Cape Town Gets Jazzed Up for Annual International Festival

3 April 2013

On the 5 and 6 April 2013, Cape Town will host the 14th International Jazz Festival - ‘Africa’s grandest gathering’ and one of the most prestigious Jazz Festivals in the world.

This year’s event will see over 40 International and African artists perform to around 35 000 fans.  The build-up kicks off tonight with a free concert in Greenmarket Square.

Western Cape Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Alan Winde, said: “I would like to extend a warm Mother City welcome to all the local and international visitors who have come to our beautiful Province to attend the festival. This year’s Jazz Festival promises to be yet another success with performances by internationally renowned artists and local talents. The Western Cape is proud to host this prestigious event. Indeed, since its inception in 2000, it has become one of the most important events on our tourism calendar.”

The Western Cape Government has contributed R300 000 in support of this year’s Jazz Festival in large part because of the economic benefits it draws for the region: “In 2012, this event contributed R457 million to the Western Cape economy, R860 million to national GDP, created 2715 jobs over the duration of the festival and saw 33 500 attendees, over 60% of which were from other countries. These tourists contribute to growth and job creation in our province”, said Winde.

The Jazz Festival is also a powerful social and cultural lever, explained Western Cape Minister for Cultural Affairs and Sport, Dr Ivan Meyer: “The Jazz Festival is one of those rare events that manages to attract both a local and international crowd. For two days, our city becomes the cosmopolitan heart of the world, a place where people from a multiplicity of backgrounds come together to dance to the same beat, share in one another’s cultures and learn more about us.”

The Western Cape Government aims to see events like the Jazz Festival grow even bigger so that they can generate more jobs and growth for our economy. That is one of the reasons why we have embarked on an ambitious project, in collaboration with the City of Cape Town, to significantly expand the capacity of the CTICC. The expansion is likely to commence next year.

Media Enquiries: 

 

Tammy Evans
Head of Ministry
Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism
Tel:  021 483 4327
Cell: 076 941 9159
Fax:  021 483 3892