Joint Media Release: Western Cape Provincial Government and City Of Cape Town Announce Details Regarding Dates and Routes for 2010/2011 Minstrels and Choirs Festivities | Western Cape Government

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Joint Media Release: Western Cape Provincial Government and City Of Cape Town Announce Details Regarding Dates and Routes for 2010/2011 Minstrels and Choirs Festivities

7 December 2010

The Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport and the City of Cape Town, after consultation with the Minstrels, Christmas and Malay Choir boards, can announce the date and route of the Traditional Nuwejaar Street March for 2011.

Following an invitation from Dr Ivan Meyer, the Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, and the City of Cape Town to the representatives of the Minstrels, Christmas and Malay Choir boards to comment on suggested dates for the road march, a decision was made based on logistical factors and generally favorable response.

The street march will take place on Saturday, 1 January 2011 and will follow the same route that was used in January 2010. The street marches will start at Keizergracht, and proceed along Darling, Adderley, Wale and Bree Street. During the march the necessary road closures will be in place to ensure a safe and fun event for all, and minimal disruption of the traffic flow in the City Bowl, given that it is a public holiday. Notices regarding road closures will be advertised closer to the time.

The initial consultation between the Provincial Government, City of Cape Town and Minstrel, Christmas and Malay Choir boards, which took place on Thursday, 25 November 2010, marked the start of a new chapter in which consultation with all bodies will drive the annual festive season's cultural events and celebrations and how best to utilise the infrastructure and experience gained during the running of the 2010 World Cup.

Dr Meyer said "This meeting was not a platform for anyone to enforce their wills on others, but to jointly develop a policy framework, and accept input from all bodies and find a solution that everyone can work with. I am also very pleased with the turnout at the meeting, as we had representation from the minstrel and choir bodies involved in the events during and after the festive season. We had valuable feedback from the organisations."

The new Safety at Sports and Recreation Events Act, Act 2 of 2010, which became enforceable on 2 August 2010, requires specific measures to be in place to safeguard the physical well-being and safety of persons and property at events held in stadia, venues or as processions or along a route. The Act also states that organisers of such events must place the broader interests of these above their own interests, particularly the promotion and maintenance of the safety, security and convenience of persons who attend these events.

To ensure the successful staging of these events, a number of logistics must be considered, including traffic flow, safety and security of participants and spectators, business opening hours, available resources and emergency services personnel, impact on local residents, and preserving this living heritage, among others.

Dr Meyer has proposed short, medium and long-term plans, which also includes a workshop after the conclusion of the 2011 competitions, and stressed that over and above all the mechanics that go into planning these events, they are about having fun, and we should not forget that.

Media Enquiries: 

Greg Wagner
Media Liasion Office to Minister Meyer
Cell: 072 623 4499

Pieter Cronje
Communication Director, City of Cape Town
Cell: 082 465 4965