July 27, 2007
By George Matlala
THERE will be singing and dancing in the streets when Jozi opens its arms to the province's biggest carnival.
More than 7 000 participants are expected to take part in the Gauteng Carnival parade on Saturday, 8 September. Now in its third year, the theme of the parade this year is "Pale ya Rona", which means telling our stories, or ours to tell.
"The Gauteng provincial government has recognised the potential of the carnival to transform lives and local economies," said Barbara Creecy, Gauteng's MEC for sports, arts, culture and recreation. She was speaking at the launch of this year's parade at Museum Africa in Newtown on Thursday, 26 July.
The revellers, dancing to the infectious parade rhythms, will set off from the National School of Arts in Braamfontein, proceed through Braamfontein, cross Mandela Bridge and end up at Blue IQ Park in Newtown.
This year the Feast of Clowns, Carnival Bikers, jazz dancers and traditional hostel dancers are on the cards. "We hope that private sponsors will be persuaded of the commercial benefits of the carnival and of the new markets that could be reached through investment in the carnival," Creecy said, adding that there was also a need for sponsorship for the yearlong preparations.
Themes to be reflected in the floats and procession include Meropa ya sechaba sa Jozi (the rhythm of Jozi community on the move); Meshito ya Tshwane (the rhythm of Tshwane); Kgoro tsa merafe (the nation entrance) from Ekurhuleni; and Segametsi mohloding (water carrier) from Sedibeng.
Workshops and training
Preparations for the carnival kicked off with workshops at community centres across the province, starting on Monday, June 25; they would end on Friday, 31 August.
It's carnival: the launch of the annual Gauteng festival
These focused on developing skills in drumming, music, costume design and mask making, welding and training marshals. Groups were auditioned and selected to ensure regional identities added to the flamboyance of the final parade, Creecy noted.
"The vision is that each local government should host a community carnival such as one hosted by the City of Johannesburg in Hillbrow. This is to ensure that artistic resources and skills are transferred to communities across the province."
Gauteng Carnival is part of the province's Creative Industries Strategy, which is aimed at developing the creative industries to contribute to economic growth, job creation, community development and urban regeneration.
"Carnival has the power to build communities," Creecy said, adding that it provided new opportunities for youth from diverse backgrounds who might have not had the chance to participate in the arts. Through its production phase, young people received training in pattern cutting, event management, circus skills and product design, she emphasised.
Gauteng would host the International Carnival Conference in March next year. Delegates, experts and trainers from across the globe would share their wealth of carnival knowledge. "This will provide the province with another opportunity to profile and market our Pale ya Rona to an international audience."
Road closures
Streets will be closed in Braamfontein for the parade, notably Miriam Makeba and Jeppe streets.
"We support the carnival," said Steven Sack, the City's director of arts, culture and heritage services, noting that the City would ensure that police officers and emergency workers would be at the event.
The City was also contributing towards the spirit of carnival around Johannesburg. "We are very committed to helping to build a platform for young people to explore the arts," he said.
Creecy concluded by inviting "people of Gauteng to come and revel in the Pale ya Rona Carnival".
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