/ MEDIA STATEMENT / The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

To officially welcome the beginning of spring and summer seasons, the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation (SACR), the City Of Tshwane, the South African Breweries and the Carnival Company jointly launched the 2015 annual Gauteng Carnival earlier today in Parktown, Johannesburg.

2015 marks the 10th edition of the Gauteng Carnival which in 2013 received gold at the LIVCOM Awards in China for its impact on the livelyhoods of communities though job creation and training.

Leading the launch, SACR’s MEC Ms. Molebatsi Bopape unveiled planned activities for this year’s Heritage Month programme, with the highlight being Heritage Day on 24 September. On the day, over 20 000 people are expected to take to the streets on a 4.5km colourful (street) parade starting at 1pm from Pilditch Stadium in Arcadia to the Union Buildings.

Being host to a number of embassies from across the globe the City of Tshwane is the ideal home for the Carnival in reaching out to representatives of the nations we have in the country.

Through this year’s theme “South Africa belongs to all who live in it”, the Gauteng Carnival is an important vehicle taking forward the provincial government’s commitment towards nation building and social cohesion. 

Stated MEC Molebatsi Bopape; “Embracing our shared heritage signals the beginning of acceptance of one another, which is important towards social cohesion and unity. We need a united Africa and a united World, hence we want to make the Gauteng Carnival a never to miss platform where everyone should gather, learn from each other and celebrate together”.

“The 24th of September 2015 the world will witness the true character of Gauteng where our lions and lionesses will roar as they call everyone to an Imbizo of music and dance extravaganza. For all the people living in Gauteng this is an opportunity to work together in bringing to life the phrase “South Africa belongs to all who live in it”, added MEC Bopape.

At the Carnival street parade the public will have an opportunity to view  mesmerising designs with costumes and floats measuring up to 5 meters in height; enthralling dance moves music and more. Troupes from across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe and America will take part in the carnival. Some of the Embassies which have confirmed their participation include Tanzania, DRC, Seychelles, Lesotho, Korea, Bulgaria and Portugal among others.

Following the street parade which will be led by among others the Gauteng Premier David Makhura and his entire Executive there will be a Cultural Food Festival to celebrate the traditions and tastes of Africa and the World.

The Gauteng Carnival is made possible by various partners including the SAB through their Redd’s Carnival Campaign.

“Carnivals are a rare type of event that do not just showcase diversity, but deliberately celebrate our differences. And in a country as diverse as ours, celebrating and appreciating our differences is vital for social cohesion and nation building,” said SAB Marketing Director Andrea Quaye.

“Through the carnival we hope that the Redd’s brand can play a role as an enabler of the ideals of the Rainbow nation where joy is manifest our diversity as a nation and all have equal access to that joy”, added Quaye.

For the public, provision has been made to watch the parade along the route with activations and entertainment in strategic areas. At these the public can bring along their camp chairs and picnic baskets and enjoy the party on the street. The patrons can then later join the festivities at the Union Buildings for more entertainment and fun.

Issued by Gauteng Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation