Bright floats, rhythmic music and colourful dancers created a party atmosphere as the fifth annual Pale Ya Rona Gauteng carnival hit the streets of Sandton city on Saturday, 12 September 2009.
It was a true spectacle that could only be explained in the words of one of the youngest revellers attending the carnival brilliant. These were the words of 15 year old Louis Mlambo, from the northern suburbs of Johannesburg.
In her address following the parade the MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation Ms Nelisiwe Mbatha-Mthimkhulu indicated that the department wishes to see the Gauteng Carnival being run by communities and not government. “We want to give over the running of the carnival to the public and let the department only give support in whatever way it can.” “We have established the Gauteng Carnival Commission which we hope will soon take over the running thereof for next year’s carnival,” said MEC Mbatha-Mthimkhulu.
Sandton masses were there to witness the spectacular event through their gates and windows, from their hooting cars and taxis, with others not able to resist but capture the moment through their cellular phone cameras.
The procession brought Sandton City to a standstill with the parade starting from the George Lee Park, up Sandton Drive, turning right into 5th Street, left into Fredman Drive, right into Grayston Drive and then end at Innes Free Park.
The day had a great line-up of South Africa’s top Djs including Fistaz from Metro FM, Euphonik, and Mo Flava from YFM and story tellers for everyone to enjoy.
Itumeleng Khoza (16) one of the HipHop dancers from the Meadowlands Carnival Club said the carnival “offers us the opportunity to meet others who are doing the same thing we do and hopefully it (carnival) can only improve. Now other young people can see us and realise they can also perform at this big platform and hopefully get off the streets.”
More than 15 000 participants from across Gauteng paraded in the 4,7 kilometres route of the carnival spectacle. Also joining the parade were the French Institute who brought their puppets and the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China who brought their lion and dragon dancers.
A total of R100 000 was awarded to winners in different categories with City of Tshwane becoming a major winner scooping R30 000 in prize money.
The teams were judged under the following categories: theme interpretation which was won by the City of Tshwane; choreography and music won by Sedibeng; best interpretation of troupe costume won by Metsweding; best original interpretation won by the City of Johannesburg; best costume design won by Ekurhuleni; troupe of the year won by the City of Tshwane; originality won by West Rand; club of the year won by Lesedi and the best school won by Dr Vilakazi Secondary from Soweto.
Issued by: Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Gauteng Provincial Government
17 September 2009
Source: Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Gauteng Provincial Government (http://www.srac.gpg.gov.za/)
