Cape Town - The DStv Mitchells Plain Festival started as a once-off celebration of the township’s 35th year of existence. Now, five years later, it has become one of the biggest events by and for the people of the Cape Flats… and beyond.
The event is organised by Mitchells Plain’s Cycle of Life. Owner and community activist Rozario Brown says in 2009 the area had existed for 35 years and the celebratory event was organised, but with no budget organisers expected a turnout of 5 000 people. Instead, 12 000 came.
“We realised then that Mitchells Plain was ready for its own event,” says Brown.
The festival takes place over the last weekend of November, attracting between 25 000 and 30 000 people over three days.
It stimulates the local economy, creating between 500 and 700 jobs for the weekend. There will be 130 stalls, various exhibitions and more than 40 artists and DJs.
Artists will include Idols contestant Zoe Zana, Salomee, Fire & Ice, and up-and-coming artist Austin Griffiths.
“We’re deliberately keeping the line-up local, and most of them are Cape Flats artists. When you get acts from Joburg, it’s just them and their band. With local artists, they bring their entire family and all of their friends,” says Brown.
Songbird Salomee, who grew up in Mitchells Plain, says the festival is close to her heart. “Performing here is an honour, and I’m looking forward to it,” she says.
She went to school in Westridge, so she’s excited to see her old friends. It will also be an opportunity to have her nieces and nephews watch her perform, as most of her singing is done in clubs or after hours. “I want to see the look on their faces,” says Salomee.
Other guests will include radio personalities and dance DJs.
The festival starts on tomorrow night with a Summer Break open-air dance event at the Westridge Gardens, and a DJ line-up which will include Dr Jules, DJ Epic SA, and DJ NV Funk.
Brown says the festival aims to unite people through song, music and dance, and is also an opportunity to introduce new talent.
On the more serious side, the event is a powerful initiative to bring coloured and black communities together, especially those living in Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain, says Brown.
“It’s been happening slowly, but we are seeing more black people attending. One of the key objectives is to create social cohesion.”
And it’s not just the locals who are coming. Brown says people from outlying areas, including all the way up the West Coast, are also making an effort to attend.
President Jacob Zuma, who has made regular appearances at the festival over the years, has confirmed he will be attending, as will Western Cape Premier Helen Zille.
“The Mitchells Plain Festival, as an annual contribution to the Cape Town events calendar, marks the beginning of the festive season when the city picks up energy and momentum to welcome visitors to the Cape. The event brings local communities together, showcases our rich talent and opens economic opportunities. I am pleased to support the festival and hope it goes from strength to strength,” says Zille.
l The festival takes place at Westridge Gardens, Morgenster Drive from Friday to Sunday.
Tickets are R10 for children under 12 and pensioners. Adults pay R20 and the disabled get in free. - Cape Argus