JOHANNESBURG - The excitement and joy which is normally associated with the Citys carnival is non existent this year. The carnival is an annual event which usually takes place every December 31. Over the past four years, the Carnival successfully brought 53 African nations together, particularly those who were living in South Africa.
During the carnival showcase, representatives from across Africa performed traditional dances, paraded their cultural apparel and sang songs from their homeland.
Representatives from as far as Nigeria, Algeria, Somalia, Sudan, Libya, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Angola, Cameroon, Zambia, Zimbabwe and many parts of the continent took part in the Carnival.
However, the City of Johannesburgs Communication Director, Gabu Tugwana, said last week that the event would not go ahead this year due to financial constraints.
There is no money for this years event. As much as we would have wanted this event to proceed, funding was a huge problem. If there are any private companies or the corporate world interested in financing it, they should come forward, said Tugwana.
The cost of running a successful carnival is estimated at R2.5 million.
Secretary-General of the Zimbabwe Political Victims Association (ZIPOVA), Oliver Kubikwa, said the cancellation of the carnival came as a huge blow to efforts by the City of Johannesburg to bring awareness against xenophobia.
“The Joburg Carnival played a pivotal role in educating foreigners and locals on to co-exist. This is the only local authority that has taken huge steps to ensure that refugees, asylum seekers and local citizens can always live together in harmony without fighting.
Post published in: Politics