Highland Gathering to be hosted in Amanzimtoti this year
The 59th annual Highland Gathering promises to be spectacular.
EXCITEMENT is in the air as Toti prepares for what started as fundraising for Umbogintwini Primary School many years ago. Facilitated by the Amanzimtoti Lions Club, the 59th annual Highland Gathering will take place on April 30.
The Amanzimtoti Lions adopted the event in 1976 and have been hosting it at Hutchison Park ever since. Amanzimtoti Lions PRO, Lion André Beetge, said what sets this year’s event apart from the previous years is a new approach towards involving the entire town, as opposed to relying on a handful of Lion members to host the event.
“If we’ve learned anything from Covid-19, it’s that nobody is an island and nobody is exempt. Regulations made it impossible to host what is arguably the one event that Lions rely on to secure funds that are in turn, applied directly towards the needs of the immediate community. This two-year inability has effectively drained all reserves and funding is desperately needed to afford us the ability to better serve our community. As such, we are hoping for the community to become involved towards a successful and financially viable weekend,” said André.
Gauging by the excitement from Scottish bands across the country to planning to participate, André said this year’s event could be the largest gathering in years.
“Not only Amanzimtoti, but the entire area and the city at large stand to benefit financially from the influx of participants and visitors. This extends beyond the obvious hospitality industry in terms of accommodation, and includes restaurants facilitating meals, local watering holes ensuring the piper’s throats remain lubricated, butchers, bakers, tailors, and candlestick makers, albeit that load shedding is not on the wish list, should benefit as a much-needed cash injection is required for our suffering coastal economy.”
After noting that the economic recession has had far-reaching effects on sports clubs and schools, André said Lions have partnered up with the Amanzimtoti Sports Committee and its affiliates, who will be responsible for managing the parking, beer tents, and associated entertainment, and in turn sharing directly in the profits to the benefit of all participating sport codes.
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Local secondary schools with learners participating as part of the social responsibility programme will also secure funding towards school-specific requirements.
“Besides a brand-new field outlay and a list of arena events, we have essentially kept entry cost to pre-Covid-19 prices of R50 for adults, R30 for pensioners and scholars, and free entry for children aged six and younger. Parking will be charged at R20 per vehicle. The cost of a general or craft stand of 4m x 4m will be R400 and food stands will sell at R600 (subject to municipal terms and conditions). For stand bookings, email Lion John on john.west@amanzimtoti-lions.org.”
André said the organisers hope for the entire town to be involved, from pubs and restaurants displaying the Scottish tartan in welcoming both the visitors and locals, running specials on drinks and traditional cuisine.
“Leading up to the event, we intend to keep the community informed with weekly editorials in our media partner, Caxton group’s South Coast SUN. Contact 031 903 2341 for advertising specials associated with the Highland Gathering, containing area, zone, or event specific information. We urge readers to retain these, being that there is a competition running which will require answers contained from within these editorials with six entry ticket packages to the first six correct entries opened on the morning of Friday, April 29,” he said.
General event inquiries can be directed to coordinators Lion Ken on ktoward@mweb. co.za or Lion André on 083 637 0736. For the list of arena events, contact Lion Natalie at natalieangelo@gmail.com
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