Joburg parties as city’s 125th birthday celebrations kick off
REVELLERS at the Johannesburg Carnival had one thing on their minds on Saturday: to usher 2012 in with a big party. And an afternoon thunderstorm did little to quell their party plans.
Fireworks, live music, colourful floats, dancers, and food and drink stalls rewarded the diehard crowd of about 250 people who braved the bad weather to come out to Newtown Park.
Amid all the fun, partygoers also shared their big plans for the New Year.
“I want to make a lot of money,” said businessman Lucas Phasiya from Northriding.
Phasiya’s friend, Monsieur Adams, said his wishes for the new year were to be more focused in his business interests and to take better care of himself.
The carnival also drew revellers from afar, like Bhavi Patel and her family, who had flown to the city from Zambia to celebrate New Year.
Patel said: “We are loving Johannesburg.” Her wish for the new year? “I’m not going to say world peace because it’s corny. but that would be nice,” she said.
For 27-year-old Newtown resident Friday Pula love was foremost on his agenda.
“I’m happy with my life but I want to find love this year,” he said.
But some chose to usher in the new year in quieter surroundings. A Pimville, Soweto, woman, who asked that her name not be mentioned, said: “I will be home with family. You just can’t go out and hang around people you don’t know in strange places. It’s not safe.”