‘All systems go’ for Diamonds and Dorings
SANDI KWON HOO SANDI.KWONHOO@ACM.CO.ZA
THE EVENT organisers of the Diamonds and Dorings Music Festival, which will take place next weekend, said this week that it is “all systems go” for the event.
The festival was arranged in the space of only a few weeks after it was announced on February 7 that the event would be revived following a request from the Office of the Premier to allow the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture to host and fund the event this year.
The Northern Cape Department of Sport, Arts and Culture will allocate R1.5 million through its flagship funding programme for the event, which will be held at Langley Pleasure Resort from March 31 to April 1.
Sources indicated that Standard Bank would sponsor the R750 000 that was to be contributed by Sol Plaatje Municipality towards the event, as it was not budgeted for by the local authority due to financial constraints.
The managing director of African Media Connection, which was awarded the bid to host the event, Kgomotso Modiragale, stated that 1 000 tickets had already been sold after Computicket opened sales on March 8.
“We aim to sell a total of 10 000 tickets. The venue is almost ready, with the grass having been cut and the toilets, roofing and fencing being fixed,” said Modiragale.
He added that he would provide security at the event as well as at the gate.
Modiragale said that the artist line-up included Mandisi Dyantyis, Jimmy Dludlu, Judith Sephuma, Thandiswa Mazwai, Langa Mvusa, Mdu Masilela, Mr Lu, Mandla Ntlaks, Dlala Matifana, Jackson Cassidy, Michelle,
Deekamo, Rhythmic vocalist and Mr Guitar, Sumthing Jazzy, Mandeep, KG Smallz, Mafila Amandla Danca Teatro ZA, Booker T, Pelo SKM, Jongi and Lacoste and Chipzitto.
“The gates open on March 31 at noon and the event runs until late. Pre-sale tickets are going for R200 and tickets can also be purchased at the gate for R250. VIP tickets start at R1 200 and include a cash bar, with VVIP tickets selling for R3 450, which includes hospitality and a full cash bar.”
Sol Plaatje Municipality spokesperson Thabo Mothibi said the facility would be handed over to the organisers on Monday, March 25.
“Our maintenance unit under municipal properties is currently undertaking repair work on the ablution facilities, which includes the roof replacement on one of the blocks,” said Mothibi.
“Pronouncing on additional mobile ablution and internal security is not what we can comment on as we do not hold the brief to do so. However, since having opened the resort to the public for the first time since the outbreak of the Covid19 pandemic, we have been preoccupied with resuscitating the resort. It is a work in progress in ensuring visitors enjoy the scenic beauty, natural attributes and infrastructure of this magnificently positioned resort.”
He noted that no lifeguards would be on duty as the pools would be cordoned off for the event.
“Our personnel who will be on duty will be those involved in the usual safety joint operations of events of this magnitude within our municipal boundaries.”
Mothibi stated that they were in the process of replacing a section of the fence that was vandalised next to the river at a cost of R23 000.
“We hold no brief to comment about the event sponsorship,” he said.