Joburg’s NYE event cancelled, funds redirected to flood relief efforts

DA Mayor Mpho Phalatse has cancelled the City of Joburg’s New Year’s celebration event, to redirect funds towards recovery efforts from the devastating flooding earlier this month.

The announcement was made earlier today (31 December 2022) by the office of the mayor on their social media pages.

This will be the third time that the event has been cancelled in this way.

In the last two years, the New Year’s Celebration Events in Joburg were postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic which imposed restrictions on public gatherings.

Event very popular

With the worst of the pandemic behind the nation, the city was geared up to once again host the event, as it had become an important event on the Johannesburg calendar that attracted a number of tourists.

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“The City of Johannesburg has over the years hosted a series of New Year’s Eve celebrations which have grown to become a major feature of the City’s festive calendar. These events have not only been a fun and exciting way through which to usher in the new year, but they have enabled the City to generate temporary jobs, as well as extend a platform to local artists and creatives to showcase their talent,” the office of the mayor said in a statement.

“However, with the recent floods, the City now finds itself having to confront another challenge which compels us to cancel this year’s event. The torrential rains have destroyed infrastructure and left many of our residents destitute. Thus, the City has devoted Its resources to responding to the disaster endured by our residents,” the office confirmed.

Joburg New Year’s event cancelled in good conscience

Mayor Phalatse said: “We cannot, in good conscience, prioritise a year-end celebration over the well-being of our residents. As such, we regret to inform our residents and partners, that this year’s festive celebration is cancelled to enable us to channel all available resources and funding toward the repair of the City, and to ensure that we are able to provide much-needed relief to those who have been severely affected.

“We nonetheless encourage responsible festive celebration as we all reflect on the year that was. As the City, we look forward to a 2023 that will bring renewed hope and yield greater prosperity for all. Be safe and stay blessed.”

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