The Enyobeni tragedy represents a systemic failure by authorities and police to implement the principles equally in all areas, in line with G&G Productions CEO and Matric Rage Festival proprietor Greg Walsh.
Walsh defined that police and authorities officers seem to show a sure disregard for implementing the principles and rules that govern occasion planning in taverns and primarily lower-income areas, versus when they’re hosted in prosperous areas.
“There are 21 sets of documents, licenses and compliance checks that organisers of the Matric Rage festival undergo before that event even takes place – from security checks to medical planning, waste disposal, and liquor licensing,” defined Walsh.
“If we had to organise an event like that in Sandton or Cape Town, police would not have allowed it to go ahead, because they enforce compliance to the letter in affluent areas.”
Walsh stated when a street or block social gathering takes place in any township, the occasion organisers typically solely get permission from the neighbours to shut the street, and if and when the police arrive – they settle for residents’ permission as sufficient to host such an occasion, whereas, in Sandton or Cape Town, that would be shut down earlier than it might start.
What it prices to host an honest pageant
The Matric Rage Festival is restricted to over 18s and varsity college students. It is handled as a ceremony of passage for a lot of kids with the financial means to attend the week-long occasion, however it’s too costly to run a number of instances a yr.
European international locations usually have lots of of festivals for the youth, however the South African market is proscribed.
“Holland, for example, has one quarter the size of our population but hosts over 1000 festivals during the summer period which is over three months, and is attended by tens of thousands of people,” defined Walsh.
Its been practically 15 years since an occasion was held beneath for solely 18’s.
G&G beforehand hosted beneath 18 events in Cape Town through the holidays and on a Wednesday evening. These was attended by 1000’s of children yearly.
“There is currently no market to cater for the 18 crowds. But it is something G&G Productions are exploring in light of Covid-19 as businesses are looking to get back on their feet,” stated Walsh.
At the value of a R22 million flag – authorities might host 5 first rate youth occasions
The Enyobeni tragedy highlights a necessity to offer protected, regulated leisure and occasions for younger folks.
Walsh stated authorities might simply take the lead in terms of making a tradition of nice occasions for kids.
But these occasions would require sturdy partnerships with personal sponsors as there wouldn’t be any revenue era from alcohol gross sales.
“These types of events need to be a private and public partnership and government needs to be stricter when it comes to enforcing the rules in lower-income areas.,” stated Walsh.
Walsh says an honest pageant would value round R2-5 million with correct leisure, DJ’s, stage arrange and many others.
This implies that for a fraction of the value the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture was prepared to fork out for its R22 million flag venture, they might simply companion with the personal sector to carry 20 street exhibits in rural areas for kids.
The division has not responded to our requests for an interview or response to their plans to have interaction the youth.
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