Durban July may be postponed
FORMER president Nelson Mandela’s deteriorating health could lead to the postponement of South Africa’s premier horseracing event, the Vodacom Durban July.
Gold Circle, organisers of the event, yesterday said it had not made a decision to postpone the event scheduled for July 6, however, will take instruction from government.
“We will follow the protocol as requested by government. We got to wait for them to actually say what has to be done.
“We respect what is going on at the moment and we will follow what government tells us to do,” Gold Circle CEO Michel Nairac said.
The annual event is the biggest and most prestigious horseracing event in the country and attracts more than 55 000 people, who cram the confines of the Greyville Racecourse to take in the fashion spectacular, entertainment and horseracing while millions watch the spectacle on television.
The marquee village crawls with first time attendees as well as loyal enthusiasts. The highly-anticipated event attracts dignitaries and celebrities from President Jacob Zuma to local radio personalities.
In keeping with this year’s theme “Posh? Oh my Gosh!”, Princess Charlene of Monaco is expected to attend the 117th running of the race for the first time.
On Monday, Gold Circle said the princess would arrive with Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Jeff Radebe, and his wife, Bridgette, as well as other VIPs from the Classic Room.
Totes and bookmakers are expecting a betting splurge of over R200-million.
In 2010, the event was rescheduled for the first time in its history when South Africa hosted the Fifa World Cup Soccer.
It moved from its traditional slot from the first Saturday in July to the last Saturday of the month.
Edwina Brown of Event World, which manages the Marquee Village, yesterday said marquee organisers had expressed concern over speculation that the event could be postponed.
But we have told them that we have heard nothing and that until we get official confirmation, we will carry on as normal,” she said.