City lives up to its festive reputation
CAPE TOWN kept its reputation as the festival capital of the world when thousands of people converged on Adderley Street and surrounding areas to witness the annual switching-on of the festive lights, signalling the start of the festive season.
Mayor Dan Plato said: ‘‘The switching-on of the festive lights is something all of Cape Town looks forward to as it signals the start of the festive season. This year’s theme focuses on diversity, which is what Cape Town reflects, and different communities across the city are part of this celebration of togetherness and sharing.”
There were hundreds of traders selling food, toys and gifts at the event, and performing artists had the crowds cheering and dancing. Among them were performers from the Zip Zap Circus, Early B, The Unknown Dance Crew, Andries Vermeulen, YoungstaCPT, Gemini, Ndlovu Youth Choir and Sho Madjozi.
Nontembiso La Ntesh, from Langa, said: “I come every year because it is the right place to be. It’s the place where we show our diversity in Cape Town.”
But the public were urged to be extra-vigilant with the holiday season starting. Manager of safety and security in the Cape Town Central City Improvement District Muneeb Hendricks said they deployed the maximum number of public safety officers to the periphery of the event and concentrated on eliminating factors that contributed to crimes.
He said they hoped people would enjoy themselves responsibly.