GEORGE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS - Artists and organisers are bitterly disappointed that the Youth Day celebrations at the Garden Route Botanical Garden in George today have been called off.
Until yesterday afternoon the George Municipality was unaware of the planned music and arts festival at the Garden as it was never approached for a population certificate.
In light of the third Covid-19 wave that has hit the country, the municipality is not allowing any such events on municipal property.
George Finance and Strategic Services Councillor, Dirk Wessels, only came to hear of the event via Whatsapp on Tuesday at 16:00 when someone forwarded the event poster to him.
“I immediately contacted the relevant municipal departments, but our officials were unaware of the festival planned for today. I contacted the organisers and the botanical garden and informed them that the festival will have to be called off.
"I feel very sorry for them and would have loved it if the event could have gone ahead, but under the circumstances it is simply impossible. Even if we did not have the ban on events on municipal land due to Covid-19, the president last night put a maximum number of 100 people on outdoor events.
"The musicians and artists, staff, organisers and the usual regular visitors to the restaurant and garden alone would have exceeded the 100 person limit, so no festival goers would have been able to attend the event in any case.”
He said Covid-19 infections in George have risen by 110% in the past week and the municipality simply cannot risk hosting a possible super spreader event.
He said it seems the Garden’s management team was unaware that it needs a population certificate for each individual event.
One of the organisers, Hein Scheepers of Bo-Menslike Operasies, is devastated. “I am going to crawl into bed and just sleep the whole day. People are allowed to go to restaurants, why can’t they attend an event at the Garden where there is more than enough space to keep your distance? I am heart-broken. Apologies to all the artists and the public who have been looking forward to a fun day in the sun while celebrating the resilience of South Africa’s youth.”
Youth Day celebration organiser, Hein Scheepers
Photo: Ilse Schoonraad
Related article: No gatherings allowed on public open spaces belonging to George Municiaplity
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