Jazz festival proceeds despite protest threats
A free jazz concert hosted by the Chris Hani district municipality at the weekend hit the wrong chord with some residents of Komani, who threatened to stop the concert from happening.
But after mayor Wongama Gela and the police intervened, the show went on without a hitch on Saturday.
The star-studded line-up included Dumza Maswana, Gloria Bosman and Ntsika Ngxanga, who were supported by local artists.
The show kicked off an hour later than scheduled because of the tensions.
According to the Dispatch’s sister publication, The Rep, Madeira Park residents in Komani had vowed not to allow the municipality to host the annual jazz festival.
A group of residents gathered outside the Gali Thembani Youth Care Centre on Saturday, blocking the entrance in protest.
“We will die here if we have to because we are not moving an inch from this gate until the municipality gives us a reassurance that this festival will be moved somewhere else,” said Nokuphila Sindelo Fudumele.
She said the festival would bring an influx of people to the area, including criminals who would use the event as cover to terrorise the community.
Fudumele said the municipality was putting people’s lives at risk by hosting the festival on their doorstep because the police were failing to curb crime in the area.
She said the community had not been consulted by the municipality and the protesters would not back down.
“We only learnt about this through the media. The municipality never came to us to discuss this so we are not going anywhere,” Fudumele said.
Another resident, Ntsikelelo Haji, said: “How is this event going to benefit us when we do not even have electricity and water in our homes?”
He said the festival, which was hosted in partnership with the department of sports, arts & culture and the Enoch Mgijima local municipality, was not a priority for residents and it should not be prioritised ahead of service delivery.
Lonwabo Dubula claimed the municipality was using the police to intimidate residents to allow the festival to be staged in the area against the will of the people.
He claimed when residents reported crime to the police, they were never available and always had an excuse.
“When you call them to report a crime they will tell you that there’s not enough vans but look at them now, they have enough vans to come out and intimidate the community because of the municipality.”
Chris Hani district municipality spokesperson Bulelwa Ganyaza said: We have had engagements with the Madeira Park community representatives before this date.
“The issues raised by the community are receiving attention and some are already being attended to by relevant stakeholders. We can confirm now that the jazz festival is under way.”