Stakeholders from around Hout Bay gathered at the Hangberg civic centre this week to discuss plans for the Living Peace and Heritage Festival, planned for September.
The three-day festival, running over Heritage weekend, from Saturday to Monday September 23 to 25, is intended to showcase the cultural heritage of the area as well as bring residents together, particularly at a time when crime is threatening to unravel the fabric of the commu-
nity.
With buy-in from the City of Cape Town, the Hout Bay Partnership and religious organisations, the event will include sports, entertainment and a host of family activities.
At the meeting on Wednesday May 9, Peace and Mediation Forum chairperson Jan Lewis said the festival would promote Hout Bay and be used to celebrate the “diversity of his-
tory”.
The Hangberg civic centre and sports and recreation centre will form the focal point of activities, and permits have already been applied for. While the full programme is yet to be confirmed, festinos will be able to look forward to marching bands, soccer matches, food stalls, poetry readings and puppet shows, performances by traditional and modern dancers and hip hop artists.
One of the highlights of the weekend will be the blessing of the fleet in Hout Bay Harbour, at which a number of spiritual leaders will be officiating.
A potjiekos competition is also planned. Delegates emphasised that the event should be inclusive of all Hout Bay communities, and to this end, they looked at ways in which people from Imizamo Yethu could be shuttled to the festival venues.
A suggestion was made that a MyCiTi route be allocated for these purposes, but because the bus service was already heavily subsidised, this would not be possible.
The Hout Bay Partnership’s Terry Murphy said he did not imagine it would be too difficult to find a local company willing to sponsor a bus, but it was imperative that organisers get quotes on transport costs before approaching them.
Ward councillor Rob Quintas asked organisers to submit their logistical and spatial requirements as soon as possible, as since the festival was not intended for profit, he could motivate that permit and application fees could be waived. During the meeting, a mini committee was established to ensure representatives from all religions and denominations were included in the festival.
“If ever there was a time for a festival like this, it is now,” noted Pastor Steven Lottering, of the Imizamo Yethu Methodist Church.
Stakeholders are looking for operators to oversee catering and food operations at the festival, and those interested may call Warren Abrahams of the Peace and Mediation Forum on 074 803 2513, or Paul Robinson on 060 527 9005.
