Minstrel march called off
December 29, 2005 Edition 1
A'eysha Kassiem
The Cape minstrel march is "officially off" as talks between the minstrels and the premier's office have reached a dead end.
The premier's office said yesterday it would not be entering into any more negotiations with the Kaapse Karnival Association (KKA) about funding.
No further meetings have been planned.
On Tuesday, the KKA said that Premier Ebrahim Rasool's office had promised it R1.5 million, but instead, they had only received R1.3m. There was not enough money to stage the event - a popular tourist attraction.
Last year, both the Christmas choirs and the New Year parades were initially called off when the KKA said there was not enough money to stage the events.
The march, however, took place when the province bailed the KKA out at the last minute.
Rasool's chief of staff, Lionel Louw, said that while they had met with the city to discuss the recent rift between the province and the KKA over funding, both had agreed that they could do "nothing more".
The city, however, is not involved in the rift between the province and the minstrels.
Less than three weeks ago, in what appeared to be a relatively smooth start to the planning of the festive season parades, the city council brought a number of minstrel groups together
at the Athlone stadium to prevent a "disaster management nightmare".
At the time, talks focused on concerns relating to the dates
of parades and the routes to be followed.
But it all came apart at the seams yesterday as the province was adamant that there would be no more negotiations about money.
"There is simply no more money," said Louw.
"We met with the city in light of the recent developments (with the minstrels) and there are no new developments ... We have covered all the bases and there is nothing more we can do.
"There is no chance of us finding additional money. We have already provided a subsidy."
City director for Sports and Recreation Gert Bam said that while they continued to support the minstrels, the KKA had to abide by budget agreements. He said there were minutes of a meeting dated October 27 that indicated that the budget categories had been discussed.
Province could not change the agreement. "The budget was workshopped and explained to the minstrels, but if they want to cancel, they can go ahead. They are free to do what they want."
Louw added that the KKA knew how much money had been stipulated for the event, saying it was not sprung on them by "surprise".
He denied claims that minstrels had been told about a lack of money only at the 11th hour.
But KKA chairman Faggie Carels said the province had only recently told the association how much money it had set aside. He also claimed KKA had not been consulted about how the money would be divided.
"We need to pay the tailors and seamstresses. We need to pay for shoes, hats and costumes. With what money? We don't expect to be subsidised 100%, but these things do cost money."
The money would not be able to pay the costs of the troupes - many of which had grown in numbers. More venues had also been planned, Carels said.
Although the troupes were "disappointed", Carelse said the KKA had taken a unanimous decision that the co-ordinated march would not take place.
"It is officially off until someone can revive it. We are calling on the premier to salvage it. We just want them to be reasonable.
"I hope to God that it can be salvaged."
