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2008-12-24: City prepares for New Year's Eve bash

JOBURG'S annual New Year’s Eve bash at Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown is expected to attract more than 30 000 revellers.

It will not only be broadcast live on SABC2 that has partnered the City to organize this huge party to usher in the new year but to some neighbouring African countries too. The evening will be an explosion of sights and sounds, as the City welcomes in 2009 to the beat of Joburg’s top performers and the skyline lights up with the sparkle of an electrifying fireworks display.

The entertainment line up includes Freshly Ground, Gang of Instrumentals, Bleksem, KB, MXO, Wonderboom, Howza, Fikile Mlomo and DJ’s Zan D and Zee. Entrance is free and the party will start at 6pm until the early hours of 2009.

No alcohol or weapons will be allowed into the venue. There will be a beer garden for those who would like to welcome the New Year with a toast. However SAPS, JMPD and private security will be everywhere to deal with any criminal activity or lawlessness. Fully equipped Emergency and Disaster Management personnel will also be on standby.

There will also be demarcated water points and toilet facilities. Bree, Jeppe, Miriam Makeba and Henry Nxumalo Streets will be closed. Adequate parking will be available at the Market Theatre and Sci Bono.

As usual the Joburg Carnival that starts at 2pm from Berea Park and Pieter Roos Park respectively will precede the New Year’s Eve bash. The Carnival will be a cacophony of sound and vibrant colours with performers from afar as Nigeria, Senegal, Burundi and Tanzania.

The procession will meet on Kotze Street, outside Constitution Hill and move through Hillbrow, stopping on Mandela Bridge for photo shoots and interviews and then down to Newtown. About 25 000 people will view the carnival comprising of choirs, bands, clowns drummers and other troupes.

Ends

For more information on the New Year’s Eve party contact Robyn Jeevanantham on
(011) 482 3580 or 082 795 1355. For the Joburg Carnival contact Bridget van Oerle or Anele Sigidi on (011) 673 4995/9272 or 083 263 6991 and 076 858 8838 respectively.

“Joburg, a City where community development, personal growth and social mobility are enhanced so that challenges of poverty, vulnerability, inequality and social exclusion are fundamentally addressed”.

By
Virgil James
Spokesperson
City of Johannesburg
011 407 7226
082 467 9415