Statement by the City’s Executive Mayor, Patricia de Lille
City geared up to celebrate the Festival of Lights
This Sunday, one of Cape Town’s most historic thoroughfares will be
illuminated and filled with residents from all over the city as we usher in the
festive season with the annual Festival of Lights celebration.
This year we will celebrate under the theme ‘We love Africa’, in line with our
goal to build an inclusive city and our mission to establish Cape Town as the
gateway to Africa.
Cape Town’s largest and most inclusive free festive celebration takes place
this Sunday, 6 December 2015 from 16:00 till 22:00 on the Grand Parade.
At 20:30, I will flip the switch to light up the streets with a colourful display of
motifs.
I am especially excited about this year’s event as I will be joined by a group
of ‘special stars’.
Last month, we opened the ‘We Love Africa – Special Star’ competition,
inviting children between the ages of 6 and 14 to write in and tell us why they
love living in Africa.
Our four special stars have been randomly selected from the written entries
and they will join me on stage to officially switch on the festive lights. Two
children have also been selected through radio entries.
I have been deeply touched by the entries and would like to share some of
the children’s words with residents as a reminder that we have so much to
celebrate and be grateful for.
Wanda Tshemese, 12, from Langa said: ‘What a blessed country. The beauty
attracts the tourists to our mountain and Robben Island. I am born in this
country. Africa!’
Sherelle Myburgh, 13, from Bellville said: ‘Ek hou daarvan om in Afrika te woon
met ons mooi land, see, berge, damme en die diere van die groot vyf. Ek sal
nooit weg gaan uit die land nie en ek glo dat die probleme uitgesorteer sal
word en ons sal saamleef as een groot liefdevolle reenboog nasie.’
I am really looking forward to meeting the special stars and having them join
me on stage to switch on the lights.
The crowd will be entertained with a free concert featuring some of the
country’s top artists, including three-time SAMA winners, Mafikizolo; ‘Man of
the Moment’ rapper, Cassper Nyovest; Cape Town’s very own pop sensation,
Jimmy Nevis; All-Star School Superband, Groove Essentials; award-winning
Afrikaans-Sotho singer/rapper, Snotkop; electronic jazz fusion hit-makers,
Goodluck; and the animated and highly entertaining comedian, Shimmy
Isaacs.
All streets leading off Darling Street will be closed from 10:00 until midnight on
the day. Below is a list of the roads that will be temporarily closed until
midnight on Sunday 6 December 2015:
Affected road
Darling Street
Parade Street
Corporation Street
Lower Plein Street
Plein Street
Parliament Street
Adderley Street
Castle Street
Castle Street
Hout Street
Between
Buitenkant Street and Adderley Street
Darling Street and Caledon Street
Darling Street and Caledon Street
Strand Street and Darling Street
Darling Street and Longmarket Street
Darling Street and Longmarket Street
Strand Street and Bureau Street
Lower Plein Street and Buitenkant Street
Adderley Street and Burg Street
Adderley Street and Burg Street
Starting time
06:00
06:00
06:00
06:00
10:00
10:00
10:00
10:00
10:00
10:00
There will be no access for buses and taxis into Adderley Street.
Parking
No parking will be permitted in Darling Street, Adderley Street, Lower Plein
Street, Queen Victoria Street, Castle Street and the roads leading off Darling
Street during this time.
Free transport
The City has arranged free transport with Metrorail for commuters making
their way home after the event, as follows:
Train 0651: from Cape Town to Retreat (via the Cape Flats) will depart at
23:00 from Platform 14 and stop at all stations along the way
Train 9587: from Cape Town to Kapteinsklip (via Pinelands) will depart at 23:00
from Platform 18 and stop at all stations along the way
Commuters who make use of the MyCiTi bus service must please note that
the buses will be diverted to alternative stations on the event day. Normal
fare charges will apply.
For further information on any of the abovementioned arrangements,
residents should please contact the City as follows:
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Call the Transport Information Centre on 0800 65 64 63
Via Twitter: @CityofCT
Visit the Facebook page: www.facebook.com/CityofCT