Entertainment for all at successful Footprints and EL Port festivals

THE fourth annual Footprints Festival at Morgan Bay came to a close yesterday after a weekend jam packed with festivities.

National afro-pop sensation and East London’s very own songbird Msaki was warmly received when she made her debut at Gxarha Village, while Aston Wiley of The Voice SA fame and fans danced the night away at the Morgan Bay Hotel.

Msaki said she was humbled by the love and support.

“It was insane, all this time I thought I was among many other acts performing, only to find out the villagers were enthusiastically waiting for me. It was very humbling.

“I’m proud of the family-orientated festival which gives free access to the people of the community. I am definitely coming back next year,” she said.

The East London Harbour also came alive this weekend as more than 13 000 people flocked to the revived Port Festival.

The Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) event transformed the city’s iconic harbour precinct into a spectacular showcase of local music, arts and crafts, impressive naval prowess and high-adrenaline entertainment.

TNPA corporate affairs manager Terry Taylor said the old festival favourites were a winner.

“We had to extend our tugboat rides because of the long line of people wanting to get aboard and we exceeded the allocated time by well over two hours.”

Taylor said proceeds of the weekend family fun event will go to local charities and service organisations.

“The Port Festival Golf Day raised in excess of R40 000 that will co-fund the participation of local professional golfers Siviwe and Yolanda Duma in the Lady Sunshine Tour next year.”

Acting East London port manager Alvin Singama said the human traffic generated indicated a successful comeback of the festival to the city port.

“This was a very special weekend for the community of East London and the greater Buffalo City Metro, as we brought back this muchloved event to South Africa’s only commercial river port, after an absence of five years.

“The diversity reflected in the array of entertainment, as well as the fact that this festival brought the community together across age, race, gender and socio-economic backgrounds, was a true reflection of a united South Africa,” Singama said.

He added that attendance on the first day on Saturday had been close to 13 000, “although the numbers had not been finalised for day two” by the time of writing yesterday afternoon.

Cambridge resident Minnette Haasbroek said the festival was an exciting, fun event to spend with family.

“They have really raised the bar this time. There was just so much on offer, we were spoilt for choice and there was something for my children and us grown-ups. Before we knew, it was dark – the day went by so quickly.”

Haasbroek said her highlight was the ride on the tugboat Umthwalo Lomo.

“It’s not everyday you get to have a view of the Esplanade from the ocean and it was magical.”

Peter Fleurs from Bongweni said he enjoyed the bungee jumping.

“I can almost feel the adrenalin just talking about it. I feel alive and I’m glad I did it.”

Singama said the event would not have been impossible without TNPA’s partners – Buffalo City Metro, the Eastern Cape provincial department of transport, the South African Navy, the South African Maritime Safety Authority, the national Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and their media partners, the Daily Dispatch.

Taylor said they were yet to decide on the frequency of the festival. —