Uncertainty hangs over Durban air show
Claims that the Durban, Land, Sea and Air Festival has been axed are refuted by organisers.
REPORTS stating the Durban’s Land, Sea and Air Festival has been axed are incorrect. On Thursday media reports surfaced suggesting that KwaZulu-Natal Treasury officials had grounded the show which also forms part of the KZN Winter Tour by pulling R36-million in funding. The festival replaced the hugely popular Virginia Airshow, which had run for 57 years.
However treasury spokesman Ntokozo Maphisa said this was incorrect, saying the province has not made a decision on whether or not to continue with sponsoring air shows.
“From time to time there is a need to assess the value proposition of any programme we fund from the fiscus, and this is normal prudent fiscal management. If a decision had been made, an official communication would have been forwarded to the organisers.
“There has not been any formal communication issued by the provincial treasury to the organisers on the continuation or of the funding for the airshows,” he said.
Brian Emmenis, veteran airshow commentator and one of the organisers of the KZN Winter Tour said he too was confused by initial reports.
“I’ve received no information or communication regarding the axing of the show,” Emmenis said.
