WHILE organisers and authorities have been commended for putting on top class entertainment for the youth to see in the New Year, the choice of venue has once again been met with severe opposition from local residents.
The uThungulu Last Dance Music Festival has been advertised to run till dawn at the regional sports complex in Veldenvlei, despite numerous complaints from home owners in the vicinity after previous late-night functions held at the location.
‘The advert states that the music festival will run from 3pm to 6am, which means that neighbouring residents, including a hospital and retirement village, will once again be subjected to extreme noise levels the entire night,’ says former city councillor Sandy Camminga.
‘Even more concerning is the fact that the advert states ‘bring your own cooler box!’.
In a letter to the Municipal Manager, Camminga said the event contravenes municipal bylaws, which state that ‘no person shall cause a noise nuisance or allow it to be caused by operating or playing any radio, television set, drum, musical instrument, sound amplifier, loudspeaker system or similar device producing, reproducing or amplifying sound’.
Fears of rubble and criminal activities have also been voiced by community members.
However, one avid local party goer says, from previous experience, the high entrance fee of R150 (or R350 for a VIP entrance) would ensure a better behaved crowd.
‘Stringent security measures are taken at these events so it’s not like any mischievous Tom, Dick or Harry can enter the premises.
‘And we don’t have a lot of events in this area so it’s nice that it lasts all night.
‘All over the world, people party throughout the night on New Year’s Eve, so I think we can be granted this one.’
