The City invites public input on draft events policy

By Ilhaam Hoosain
07 May 2008

Until 30 May 2008 all interested parties now have the opportunity to provide input on the City of Cape Town's Draft Events Policy.

According to the City, the hosting of events impacts the City’s competitive strategy because the events industry increases economic activity and tourist numbers and results in urban rejuvenation and improves cultural and social consistency in communities; and communities are central to making events successful.

"Playing host to top line events such as the Cape Town International Jazz Festival and the Cape Argus Pick ‘n Pay Cycle Tour, has made Cape Town known as the ‘fun capital’ of South Africa and a 365-days-a-year, multi-faceted destination." says Councilor Simon Grindrod, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic, Social Development and Tourism.

"These events contribute significantly to the City’s key objective, as set out in our Five Year Integrated Development Plan [IDP], to promote economic growth in Cape Town by investing in infrastructure and a cleaner, safer city. Our events industry is an important economic, investment and social driver in terms of promoting tourism and community development," says Grindrod.

While the City has a good track record in the hosting of major events, the absence of a strategy and policy has meant that the City has not been able to maximise the benefits provided by such opportunities.

The objective of the draft policy is to provide direction for Cape Town’s current and future events, processes and events calendar. The policy seeks to balance the economic development needs with community needs like health, safety and environmental management.

"It will align events with the City’s IDP, ensure the co-ordination of all City departments and link its financial and logistical support to those events that can provide strategic benefits for to the city and its citizens," says Cllr Pat Hill, Chairperson of the Steering Committee.