Preparations for the fifth annual Pale Ya Rona carnival are on track for 12 September. The colourful and extravagant parade will take place in Sandton, starting at George Lee Park at 10h00 and ending with an explosion of entertainment at the Innes Free Park. Over 15 000 participants from across Gauteng are expected to parade in the 4.7 km route of the carnival spectacle.
Pale Ya Rona carnival has become an important social and cultural event in the Gauteng calendar. Launched in 2005, the event has seen unprecedented growths from 3000 participants to 17 000 in 2008. It is one of the main events proving to breakdown racial and cultural boundaries and bringing about social cohesion.
"Every year, September is devoted to Heritage and Tourism Month and the Gauteng Pale Ya Rona carnival serves as a milestone event to launch the provincial heritage month programme," said the MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Ms Nelisiwe Mbatha Mtimkulu.
Also joining the parade is the French Institute and the Embassy of the People's Republic of China who will be bringing their lion and dragon dancers.
The carnival is part of the creative industries strategy which is aimed at developing the creative industries to contribute to economic growth, job creation, community development and urban regeneration.
The carnival is part of the creative industries strategy which is aimed at developing the creative communities to contribute to economic growth, job creation, community development and urban regeneration. It also provides a platform of skills development in various forms of arts ranging from performance skills, visual arts to costume design.
As part of the build up to the Pale Ya Rona carnival, municipalities will also have their regional carnivals.
Region: Tshwane
Date: 15 August 2009
Region: Sedibeng
Date: 29 August 2009
Region: Ekurhuleni
Date: 5 September 2009
Region: City of Johannesburg
Date: 22 and 29 August, 5 September 2009
The following streets will be closed to allow the smooth procession of the parade: Marie Avenue, Sandton Drive, Grayston Drive, 5th Street, Fredman Drive, Rivonia Road, Katherine Street and Harris Street.
For more information contact:
Nomazwe Ntlokwana
Tel: 011 355 2578
Cell: 083 507 8068.
Issued by: Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Gauteng Provincial Government
20 August 2009
Source: Sapa
