BCM boost for Berlin horse race

FOR the first time since its inception, the Berlin November will this year have running water, electricity and a fenced-off race track on November 25, when the horse racing event takes place.

This was revealed by founder Luthando Bara yesterday morning, during a site visit by a Buffalo City Metro delegation led by mayor Xola Pakati at the underdeveloped Berlin race track.

Bara said since the annual event had kicked off three years ago there had been no running water or electricity, and because the race track had not been fenced, hundreds of spectators would invade the track causing havoc after races.

But, thanks to BCM’s help this year, supporters could expect a vastly improved Berlin November experience as these problems would be fixed.

Last year about 40 000 supporters attended the event where horse racing, fashion, music and food meet.

The services he requested had been granted by BCM, Bara said, adding that the public works department had already done the grading.

“Now we need to put in the piping so that we can channel water and make sure that the track has better filtration and it will be dry on the day. “We have requested that there be electricity. In the past we were using generators. We have been promised that a few days before the event electricity will be provided.

“We think that moving the track will allow us the opportunity to use already existing fencing to block people from running onto the track and we’ll have another barrier,” Bara said.

The event attracted people from Lesotho, Kwa-Zulu Natal, Free State and Northern Cape.

Bara said as far as the history of traditional horse racing in the Eastern Cape was concerned, the Berlin track would be the first of its kind to have ablution facilities, water and electricity.

Pakati said the metro was committed to work with Bara on the event.

However, he said that the stakeholders should campaign for a proper race track in the future and ask the provincial treasury to assist with that.

Ward 45 councillor Thozamile Norexe said the event had disappointed locals, who had high hopes in the past.

“Going forward we will have to sit and see what we can do,” Norexe said.

Award-winning musicians including Amanda Black, Prince Kaybee and Sjava will be entertaining the crowds at the event next month. —