If the rest of the Festival were anything like the catering for its official opening, there would be a lot of grumpy people in town.
An amazing performance of choral music raised the curtain on, and set the tone for this year's National Arts Festival at the official opening last Wednesday.
If the rest of the Festival were anything like the catering for its official opening, there would be a lot of grumpy people in town.
An amazing performance of choral music raised the curtain on, and set the tone for this year's National Arts Festival at the official opening last Wednesday.
What a contrast to the dinner afterwards, that was meant to leave VIPs and the media contented and focusing on the cultural feast ahead.
Instead, irritated MECs, government officials, councillors and the media were left with tummies rumbling and wondering where to sit.
The logistics for the dinner seemed to have been left to chance, with the room allocated for the dinner so small that dignitaries and members of the media had to make their own seating – or standing – arrangements.
A long-winded speech and an aimless Powerpoint presentation when the guests took their seats (those lucky enough to have seats) only made matters worse.
Especially because this followed no fewer than four earlier speeches – by the Executive Mayor, Zamuxolo Peter; National Arts Festival chairman Ayanda Mjekula; Sports Recreation, Arts and Culture MEC, Xoliswa Tom; Arts and Culture Minister Paul Mashatile and Department of Provincial Planning and Finance MEC Phumulo Masualle.
Yes, the speeches and protocols had dragged on even longer than their official titles, leaving the audience plenty of time to entertain themselves with chit-chat, an annoying distraction from the formal proceedings, and wonder if they'd ever get anything to eat.
Provincial government and municipal VIPs, and media representatives who found themselves without tables had to sit at the bar, outside the venue, or hunt for chairs and make themselves comfortable at the back of the room. Some government officials made their way to the kitchen every now and again, asking when the long-awaited food would be served.
Obviously under pressure, the woman who appeared to be in control of the caterers made her opinion heard, saying that people standing near the bar and at the back of the room should leave. There was no room. Only invited people should be at the function, she said.
At the same time, Tom, also irritated by the delay, went into the kitchen to do her own investigation. It was only then that a starter appeared from the kitchen – a mushroom covered with white sauce and served with a salad.
Soon after, waitresses hustled and bustled about like mad. The main meals came out and it seemed the caterers – and their hungry diners – were now in business.
But, to the dismay of those standing at the back of the room, only those who challenged the staff managed to jostle food to their non-existent tables. For they remained standing all night. When some thoroughly ignored people, including this journalist, asked for service, they were duly told that 200 people had been served and that if they harboured any hope of being served, the boss had to be called.
To cut a long story short, I did eventually manage to secure dessert – but getting hold of a spoon to eat it with, I'm afraid, was another matter.
