“The purpose of this session was to assist all event organisers in terms of overseeing their state of readiness for their events from technical issues, compliance regulations as well to guide them in how they can executive fun yet safe events as much as we are not funding events this year, “said General Manager for Tourism, Arts, Culture and Heritage Phindile Mavundla.
The events that citizens can look forward to include; the Berlin November Horse Race ,Metro FM Heatwave Music Festival, Buyela kuYesu Healing and Revival Crusade, Eastern Cape Jazz Festival, Buffalo Flats Music and Cultural Festival, JMD Foundation transforming lives, Countdown Music Festival and New Year’s Born Fire.
The Metro multi stakeholder technical committee consists of our Tourism Department, Disaster Management Services,Traffic Services, Municipal Health, Mayor’s Office, Fire Department and Law Enforcement.
BCM expects event organisers to adhere to operating hours and liquor licensing conditions set out by the Liquor Board.
Furthermore, event organisers have a responsibility to ensure that there is adherence to road safety, crowd control and road closures.
Other requirements include having the organisers inform the local police station about planned event and having a safety plan.
Another condition is related to health and food safety standards as well as cleanliness.
The Metro multi stakeholders committee has resolved to meet event organisers over the next few weeks so that we go through each application and advise accordingly.
BCM expects organisers to provide the Municipality with all the necessary documents showing that they would comply with regulations, as the Municipality has the right to decline applications even if they had already been granted a police certificate.
Our main aim is not to disqualify events because that is what makes the City tick during this period and it is good for tourism and the local economy but we are concerned about events that are planned haphazardly and put lives at risk.
The Metro further cautions event organisers to plan with load shedding in mind.
2022-11-16