2012-12-11: Johannesburg Comes Alive!!
As the lights ignite on 14 December 2012 at 19h30, the City of Johannesburg Festival of Light magic begins!
It will be at a touch of a light switch by the Executive Mayor, Cllr Parks Mpho Tau and Mrs Pilisiwe Twala-Tau that a Christmas lighting in unison occurs at Chris Hani, Rissik Street and Vincent Tshabalala roads.
Johannesburg City Parks in partnership with Imagineering cc will host a first-ever Soweto Festival of Light which is aimed at providing the community with an opportunity to observe the festive period in special celebration. It will also allow the prevalence of a mood typical to a ‘true African Christmas’ which is a rarity in the current economic conditions fuelled by various socio economic challenges of the present day.
Whilst the event is fully reliant on a number of corporate organisations to provide sponsorships of various kinds which combined, will create an atmosphere of MIRACLES AND MAGIC, other more privileged visitors to the festival are encouraged to donate gifts to the less privileged. There will be a designated area inside the venue where a box will be placed for the gift drop offs.
Maponya Mall which has 1,5 million shoppers over the festive season has also given its support by providing a designated area in the shopping mall which should encourage its prestigious customers to donate gifts towards the event. Thank you to Dr Maponya, a stalwart and icon of the Soweto community for his contribution to the event. A park and ride facility will also be available in the Maponya Mall complex where visitors going to the festival will be able to park and ride the buses that will ferry them to the venue and back. Free tickets will be available for collection between 09h30 - 15h00 at Maponya Mall outside the John Craig and Geen & Richards Stores as well as at Mofolo South Nursery from 12 December 2012.
EVENT SPONSORS SABC, African Bank, All Gold, Aspen, AVIS, Bakers, Clover, Fatti's & Monis, Honda, Hospice, I & J, John Craig, KOO, McDonalds, Newtown Landscape Architects, Nike, Plascon, Pride Milling, SABC, Ster-Kinekor, The Star, Tiger Brands Sweets & Truworths and Pick n’ Pay. MAJOR PARTNERS FROM THE CITY OF JOHANNESBURG 1. Johannesburg City Parks 2. City Power 3. Johannesburg Tourism Company; and 4. Mayoral Spousal Programme (Patron)
“This event will provide an opportunity for various youth from the community to get out there to showcase their talent, elders to distress from their usual surroundings and enjoy themselves and for orphans to celebrate the season and Christmas with the broader City of Johannesburg family! We are happy to enable an atmosphere that promotes family values at a time that is about caring and sharing and supports community cohesion. To this end, City Parks thanks all the sponsors for making this celebration a reality. “We really would not have been able to stage this festival without the generous contribution from all sponsors and partners. It is our intention to host and grow this festival annually with the support from more companies in the private sector to spice up the lives of Johannesburg residents. We wish everyone a happy festive season and a Merry Christmas!” says Acting Managing Director, Mr Bryne Maduka.
“Christmas is a time for family, the spirit of sharing that is often community driven, where barriers are broken and love is shared among all,”. says Mrs Pilisiwe Twala-Tau, a patron of the festival.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE EVENT? With the main event being the Soweto Festival of Lights, the lighting up of the park and streets on 14 December 2012 at 19h30 will signal the beginning of the festive celebrations coupled with diverse entertainment activities at Mofolo South Nursery. All religious groups are welcome to attend.
Alan Busuttil from Imagineering cc says ‘we’re so excited about the Baobab Forest which is being put together by local wire guys. Whilst it is indeed a beautiful focal point of the festival, the Circle of Light which will also be another central charm of the festival symbolising the event will be another point of attraction’. ENTERTAINMENT The following will form part of the entertainment to be enjoyed by all visitors: • Drama by local students, Bongo Drummers, Drum-majorettes, Choirs ,Various Musical Groups, Modern Dance Groups, Takalani Sesame Presenters, SABC Dub Presenters • SABC YO-TV Presenters, Face Paintings, Pantsula Dance, Kofifi and contemporary dance • SABC Play Presenters; and more.
Members of the community are invited to showcase their talents by registering their acts at kmokoka@jhbcityparks.com"> kmokoka@jhbcityparks.com.
OPENING PERIODS The event will open from 18h30 to 20h00 each night for the 9 day period. Issued by Johannesburg City Parks
Media Enquiries Noeleen Mattera on: T: 07999 46345 or email nmattera@jhbcityparks.com"> nmattera@jhbcityparks.com
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