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A woman takes a ride at the funfair in this file picture.
Bureaucratic red tape is jeopardising the future of the amusement park on East London’s Esplanade over the festive season, writes Eddie Botha.
The amusement park, which has been an annual attraction to thousands of holidaymakers, has also traditionally been a vehicle to give hundreds of under-privileged children a special day at least once over the season.
The two out-of-town amusement park operators, who have applied to Buffalo City Municipality to tender for the six week contract both told the Daily Dispatch that the lengthy tender process will make it financially impossible for them to transport and erect their fun parks in time.
Buffalo City Tourism’s Peter King on Tuesday said economic activity along the Esplanade will be negatively affected if the amusement park does not operate, since it draws the crowds who spend their cash in retail outlets, eateries and small businesses.
Louw Pretorius, whose Cape Town-based Fun Land Amusements have operated at the esplanade for almost 20 years, said that unless he receives the go-ahead by November 7 he would not make the trip to East London.
Pretorius said his five year contract came to an end last year and on March 4 he applied for permission to rent the site again.
However, on March 11 he received a letter from Buffalo City Municipality Community Services Director Jerome Ismail to inform him that his request had been forwarded to the Department of Arts & Cultural Services, Amenities and Environmental Services.
He said he has in July met with BCM Land Administration’s Simphiwo Bam, who explained him the procedure that needed to be taken. He said according to Bam it is possible that the tender award could only be made by December 15.
“They have not even advertised or called for tenders yet,” said Pretorius.
“And according to Mr Bam, the process still has to go through the bid evaluation and adjudication committees.
“I have to be here by November 16 to set up the amusement park – it takes about six days – to be able to start operations on December 1. During our operation here we employ up to 20 local people.”
Pretorius said the disadvantaged children of the city will also lose out if his park does not come to East London.
“Over the past five years we have had a special Christmas tree event on December 22 for them. On that day our sponsors, businesses such as Wimpy, Coca Cola and Pick n Pay, supply food and a tent for the kids. AV8 Helicopters also flies “Father Christmas” to the event. The longer we wait the less possible it would be also for the sponsors to participate.”
In 2004 the Daily Dispatch reported that “about 140 underprivileged children” attended and last year the figure increased to almost 500 children who came to the event.
Keith Williams, whose Just Fun amusement park is based in Port Elizabeth, said he and a local woman have also applied to rent the land in front of the Osners Hotel for their operation.
“That was six months back. It doesn’t look as if the council is serious about having an amusement park. I can’t sit and wait forever. I have made other arrangements.”
Williams said unless he started his operation by December 16 it would not be worth his while.
BCM communications manager Keith Ngesi on Tuesday said a report has been submitted to Development Planning Standing Committee for consideration. It has passed the Mayoral Committee stage and is now for the attention of Council.
Ngesi admitted that invitation for tenders has not been advertised as yet, and will only be advertised for 14 days once a resolution from Council has been received.
Following that a report will be prepared and submitted to the bid Committee for consideration and recommendation to the Municipal Manager for approval.
He did not say by what date the successful bidder will be informed.
So what do you think? Blog and let us know.
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I hope they get it sorted soon, London could do with being a little more christmassy especially when its helping the underprivalaged and giving them somnething to do.
Patrick and Dave…..:)
What church do you go to Patrick? I’d like to join your prayer for the return of the mini-skirt. While we’re at it: the black tradition of unmarried women going topless has been replaced by the white tradition of covering up. In the spirit of national conciliation, can we prayer that everybody adopts the black tradition?
Mugabe,
Tradition is not supposed to be an indefinite trend. It may be reviewed on an annual basis in order for it to remain relevant to the changing trends in either their target group or to expand its appeal.
What happened to the Voortrekker kappie?
Me, i am still praying for the return of the mini-skirt. At least the thin bodies that are Twiggy-like, are coming back into vogue.
Mayhaps you do not like jazz, but i enjoy it. Stick with your sakkie-sakkie that does not evolve at all.
Did you check the credentials of your event management team before you appointed them, or did you went for the cheapest? In future, ensure that you enlist a credible team, easy to find, just check with reputable companies.
don’t stress, the Gonubie Christmas fair, will still be taking place on the 18,19,20 Dec- Bigger and Better!
Saggies Mugabe, other people will think jy is somer onbeskaaf. Some thing are not to be written in polite company boet.
Diverse? Please man, dont talk out your arse.
Have you seen the Jazz festivals your brothers tried to organise here? Epic failures!
Have you seen what your brothers have done to the Marina Glenn? Epic Fail!
Have you seen you seen what has become of the oxford street flea market? We were askrf to do a show there and the organiser didnt even have a PA system set up for the musicians. They had nothing. It was a joke. Another fine example of your brothers and the inability to do anything properly.
Now another fine december tradition has gone to hell. Thanks Buffalo City.
And because this fun fair has been in EL for 20 years, we should all go on a nostalgic trip and not propose more diverse forms of entertainment.
Typical BCM more red tape than action because everything has to be signed or approved by 4 or more people first before anything’s done because of so much corruption in the Municipalities. Come on BCM the fun fair has been at the esplanade ever since I was a little girl over December holidays. I can remember that it used to first be on the open grounds next to the Kenaway Hotel (wherre the new hotel is now) this was many many many years ago. come on BCM put your finger out your *** & get going. Patrick if you’re going to blog here is there anything you can do to save the Fun Fair
I rode on the rides at the funfair last year while on holiday in East London. It is the only time I got to go on rides like this. What will my holiday be like this year?
I was at the funfair last year. The rides were really good and the condition was mechanically sound. I spoke with one of the owners and discussed the maintenance of the show. It was very intense.
It’s about time! That “funfair” looked more like a “danger” fair – old, dirty equipment, etc. And it attracts unwanted elements to the beachfront…
My comment above should be touch not tough.
Mr Pretorius just do not understand the ANC tender procedure. You have to offer them something under the table. That will open doors and get signatures on paper. This is Africa – you have to know the African handshake.
Hey, Pat, you didn’t say which Easter in which year!
This seems so typical of BCM. Tourism creates jobs but so many feel that, despite the high unemployment rate in the area, the BCM does not seem to worry about attracting tourists!
There is so much potential in this city but we seem to have a council so filled with KFC and in fighting that nothing is being done for the city.
The city has become filthy and unkept. There is no vision and, even when someone does get a light bulb moment, the red tape and total lack of caring still prevents anything positive from happening to uplift the city.
Come on BCM. Do what you are paid to do!!!
Typical ANC management. Everything they tough turns into… manure!
Interesting issue to put to an online vote – does the funfair add value or not? Both sides of the debate have their merits. (Of course, the users of the funfair generally don’t have online access).
Better they don’t have a funfair. 1. The equipment is old and dangerous. 2. It attracts more filth, crime, public scandalous drinking and behaviour, etc. Drove to Virgin Active on Sunday, and was shocked by the amount of people, cars, filth, half naked drunk lot! I cannot understand that BCM cannot introduce a boom, and guards, as well as ask for entry fees to at least control the influx of masses, as well as cover the cost of cleaning up (AND REPAIRS) afterwards. And try and cycle / run on the Esplanade early in the morning…beteen the glass and passed out bodies! What a LOVELY attraction for those who book themselves into the beachfront hotels at enormous fees, and they cannot even enjoy the beachfront. But then again, the only people that can afford and would support those hotels are our government fat cats….
I hope the guys from last year dont get awarded the contract. Their equipment was disgraceful and really needed some maintenance work. We were too scared to even look at the rides let alone ride on them..
By the time the tender is awarded we will be ready for easter. Heads must roll!!!!
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