The Cape Town Minstrel Carnival Association (CTMCA) handed over a memorandum to the Western Cape Government on Saturday over its dispute with the City of Cape Town regarding venue availability. In the memorandum, the association raised concerns relating to the competition they had been planning, which couldn’t go ahead due to limited venue availability.
‘’I feel very pleased. We demonstrated that we are a
peaceful, organised, and disciplined organisation. After my meeting with the
events office, and various stakeholders, myself and Yagyah Canfield (CTMCA
Competitions), we engage with them, on Friday afternoon, and they wanted certain
requirements that they wanted for us to adhere to, to sanction this event of Saturday.
We abide by everything that they wanted from us,’’ said Igshaan Alexander,
CTMCA chairperson.
‘’After we have given our memorandum, it was extensively brought over even to the public, and Premier’s office. We told him of the injustice that the City of Cape Town is doing to us, in connection with the venues that was awarded to us and then was drawn without reason. Our application for the actual Tweede Nuwe Jaar road march of our road march was where we were given compliance circumstances, we provided that only to be told it has been declined again without reason.’’
MEMORANDUM HANDED OVER TO WCGov.‘’The road march was without securities, and there was no
fencing due to financial constraints. Five out of the nine minstrel troupes
were not in attendance due to money issues,’’ added Alexander.
COURTESY: Facebook - Focus Events MediaCultural Affairs and Sport MEC, Ricardo Mackenzie accepted
the memorandum on behalf of Premier Alan Winde. He encouraged minstrel
groupings seeking to hold their own internal competitions to make venue
bookings long in advance to avoid disappointment.
‘’During this time of the year, there are a large number of
distinct events and competitions held by various minstrel associations, of
which the CTMCA is one. Event planning, routes and other operational matters
are handled by the respective associations and organisers. The City of Cape
Town handles permits and venue bookings,’’ said Mackenzie.
“We have contacted the City of Cape Town who indicated that
available dates have been offered for Athlone Stadium and the CTMCA’s event application
is being awaited. The City has been able to support bookings where these are made
timeously and event permit regulations are complied with.’’
“Given the limited public and private venue space this time
of year, we encourage minstrel groupings seeking to hold their own internal
competitions to make venue bookings long in advance to avoid disappointment. We
encourage all stakeholders to continue engaging so that this cultural
tradition is protected and celebrated safely and inclusively,’’ concluded
Mackenzie.
Done By: Mitchum George
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