Cape Town - If you’re a clown or a contortionist you will soon be able to perform freely in the city, but if you’re a snake charmer you will have to take your act – and your asp – elsewhere, says the City of Cape Town.
The city’s planning committee on Wednesday approved amendments to the Informal Trading By-law that will make it possible for street performers to “practise public art in public spaces”.
Included in this definition were street musicians, acrobats, clowning, comedy, contortions, dance, singing, fire skills, mime, living statues, music performance, puppeteering, storytelling, poetry, painting, street theatre and snake charming.
But councillors objected to snake charming, saying that the city was bound by animal protection laws and permits were required for certain snakes.
The amendments, to be released for public comment, will form part of the city’s Informal Trading and Street Performance By-law.
Cape Argus