Issued by: Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology
FREEDOM DAY CELEBRATIONS, GRAND PARADE AND CITY HALL, CAPE TOWN, 27 APRIL 1998.
PROGRAMME OF EVENTS
08:00 Arrival of participants at the Parade. 09:45 SAA fly past. 10:00 Arrival of VIPs at the Castle. Live band: "The Rockets" on stage at the Parade. Messrs Terence April and Lulwazi Mahlaka will act as MCs during the formal proceedings. Announcements will be made in the three official languages of Western Cape: English, Afrikaans and Xhosa. 10:45 VIPs leave the Castle - escorted to their seats at the Parade. 11:00 Carillon music played from the tower of the City Hall. (This is the only carillon or glockenspiel in Africa.) 11:15 Unveiling by the Mayor of Cape Town, Ms T Solomon of the plaque commemorating the President's speech on his release from prison. 11:20 SANDF march from Darling Street. SA Navy Guard of Honour in front of the City Hall balcony. 11:30 The President, Minister Mtshali, Mr Kriel (Premier) with their spouses, as well as the head of the SANDF appear on the balcony. National salute: National Anthem (SADF orchestra) 21 Gun salute (from Signal Hill) Flag hosting (ceremonial flag) SANDF helicopter fly past. SANDF dismiss (to the Castle). 11:40 Prayers by three religious leaders (Muslim, Jewish and Christian). 11.45 Messages from the Provinces handed to the Premier by children from the various provinces. 12:00 Magic trick (by the students of the College of Magic) will result in the unfurling of the national flag. 12:02 Message by Minister Mtshali. 12:07 Premier introduces the President. 12:12 President's speech. 12:25 Procession of different cultural groups. 12:35 Departure of President. 13:00 Cultural Programme on the stage at the Parade: "Coon Carnival" festivities Gumboot dancers Choirs Drama groups Several bands Magicians Music in the St George's Mall by various groups. Music in the Arena at the Waterfront by various groups. 16:00 Programme ends.
MEDIA:
All media personnel with valid press cards and (D/Passport documents are welcome to attend the events at the grand parade in Cape Town.
Media personnel are requested to meet Deon van Tonder and Mack Lewele at the Buitenkant and Darling Street security access point at the entrance to the Grand Parade not later than 09:00. Special accreditation will be issued to bona fide journalists. Due to strict security measures, only journalists who have confirmed with DACST officials that they will attend, will be allowed entry designated media personnel areas. All members of the media contingent and their equipment will be searched/screened.
One fixed media position for TV crews and still photographers will be constructed on the left-hand side of the VIP tent on the Grand Parade in front of the City Hall. Apart from designated SABC television crew members, there is place for an additional 25 media representatives. Anyone wishing to be accommodated in the area must inform DACST Communications officials no later than Thursday 23 April 1998. Television cameramen and still photographers are advised to bring step-ladders. Stills photographers are advised to carry long lenses. No flashlights or direct television lights will be allowed.
Seating for 30 media personnel will be provided on the right hand side of the VIP tent close to the security fencing and sterile area on the grand parade, facing the City Hall.
Members of the media who wish to be accommodated in this area must inform DACST Communications official by Thursday 23 April 1998.
No roaming will be allowed outside the demarcated areas.
At 12:35 a procession of cultural groups will begin. Ten media representatives will be allowed to enter the sterile area and film/photograph the procession as it passes the President and circles the Grand Parade. These ten media representatives, consisting of five South African and five Foreign media officials, will be chosen according to the pool system. Media representatives who wish to form part of this particular media contingent must let DACST Communication officials know by 12:00 on Thursday 23 April. Media officials allowed to film/photograph the procession are obliged to share their visual material with other journalists and media representatives in need of visual material.
No parking facilities will be available at the Grand Parade or in the immediate environment of the City Hall. The entire area surrounding the Grand Parade and City Hall will be cordoned off for security purposes.
Media representatives are requested to make their own arrangements vis-a-vis parking. Special requests with regard to the off-loading of equipment on the Grand Parade must be submitted to DACST Communications officials no later than Thursday 23 April 1998.
Contact names and numbers of DACST Communication Officials:
Andile Xaba (Director: DACST Communications) Tel: (012) 314 6313/6497 and FAX: (012) 323-0165
Deon van Tonder (Assistant Director: DACST Communications Tel: (012) 314 6122/6497 and FAX: (012) 323-0165 Cell Phone: 082 5539 249
Mack Lewele (DACST Communications Officer) Tel: (012) 314 6173/6497 and FAX: (012) 323-0165