The ANCYL's Dullah Omar region wants Cape Town's switching on of the Christmas lights moved to Khayelitsha.
|||Cape Town – The African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL)’s Dullah Omar region on Wednesday called on Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille to move the City’s annual switching on of the Christmas lights from the city centre to Khayelitsha as a means of economic development.
“(We) call on Mayor Patricia De Lille to move the annual Festival of Lights celebrations multi-million rand event away from Adderley Street to Khayelitsha’s Jafta Masemola Road, one of the biggest streets on the Cape Flats,” said the regional task team’s convenor Unathi Mtshotwana.
Mtshotwana said the festival on Sunday December 6 presented an opportunity for economic development and camaraderie. He said that a move to Khayelitsha would benefit small and emerging businesses.
“The Festival of Lights celebration will concentrate opportunity and a financial injection only into Adderley Street where the Mother City’s biggest and brightest street party will take place, with plenty of stalls lining the streets and providing everything from food to early Christmas gifts on sale,” said Mtshotwana. “This is an indication that the celebration is also a noteworthy occasion for economic development.”
“It is important to appreciate that it also serves to promote social cohesion, unite different races and bring together families,” he said.
Mshotwana added that the festival, although open to all, by its location excluded poorer residents who could “only attend this free open air concert if they pay high rates for public transport to attend in the city centre”.
The switching on of the lights is held annually in Adderley Street. Previously, it was tied to Christmas celebrations but is now referred to by the City as the inclusive launch of the festive season. This year’s festival, themed “We are Africa”, would see performances by the likes of Mafikizolo, Cassper Nyovest, Jimmy Nevis, and Good Luck Live.
African News Agency
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