Amanzimtoti gears up for 60th Highland Gathering
The event host encourages businesses and community members to get involved in the build-up to the biggest spectacle of Scottish bands in the country.
THE Amanzimtoti Lions Club appeals to the entire town to get involved in the 60th Highland Gathering, as opposed to relying on a handful of Lion members to host the event.
What started as an original fundraiser for Umbogintwini Primary School many years ago is now tangible excitement in the air as Amanzimtoti prepares to go tartan again on April 29 at Hutchison Park, which has been facilitated by Amanzimtoti Lions since they adopted the event in 1976.
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Amanzimtoti Lions’ André Beetge said, “If we’ve learnt anything from the past, it’s that nobody is an island, and we, as a town, need to act as a collective to ensure an influx of visitors and expenditure towards our coffers. Covid-19 regulations made it impossible, for two consecutive years, to host what is arguably the one event that the Lions rely on for securing funds that are applied directly towards the needs of the immediate community.”
He said last year’s success enabled the Lions to top up their drained reserves, albeit that all funding was quickly depleted due to the desperate and ever-increasing needs of the community.
“Only by working together, does it afford us the ability to better serve our community. As such, we are hoping for the community to become involved and help make it a successful and financially viable weekend,” said Beetge.
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He said that gauging by the excitement from no less than 20 Scottish bands across the country to participate, not only Amanzimtoti but indeed the entire area and the city at large, stand to benefit financially from the influx of participants and spectators/visitors.
“Given that economic demands have far-reaching effects on sports clubs and schools, Lions will again partner up with the Amanzimtoti Sports Committee and its affiliates, who will be responsible for parking management, the much-loved beer tents and associated entertainment, which will, in turn, provide them with an opportunity to share directly in the profits to the benefit of all participating sport codes. Likewise, local secondary schools, with learners participating as part of the social-responsibility programme, will secure funding for school-specific requirements,” said Beetge.
Tickets will be available at the venue from 09:00 to 15:00. It is R50 for adults, R30 for pensioners and scholars, and free for kids six years and younger. Parking is available at R20 per vehicle. Stands have been booked out.
Festivities kick off on Thursday evening, April 27, with a piping concert on the rugby-club field. There will also be a short display of bands and dancers at Galleria Mall on Thursday and Friday between 14:00 and 15:00 at the centre court.
Beetge appeals to pubs and restaurants to display the Scottish tartan to welcome both the visitors and locals, and for people to volunteer time or effort towards making the town and area more hospitable.
For general enquiries, contact André Beetge on 082 718 8137.
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