Makana Municipality's Thandy Matebese says that the municipality is all set for the National Arts Festival and the recent water woes are an issue of the past.
Makana Municipality's Thandy Matebese says that the municipality is all set for the National Arts Festival and the recent water woes are an issue of the past.
"We have been organising this for more than 30 years. We are quite prepared," said Matebese. He said that the relevant directorates at the municipality were part of an organising committee from the National Arts Festival office.
He said the directorates had attended all the preparation meetings to ensure that issues such as security, traffic and inspecting the readiness of venues were attended to. Causals, as is the usual practice, will be employed during the Festival to help staff in keep the streets and portable toilets clean.
"That has been the arrangement for years and our experience in handling the Festival and other great events will see us through this year's event once more," Matebese said.
Questioned on the municipality's plan to ensure continuous access to water and electricity, Matebese said, "Everything is in order and the recent electricity and water challenges will be a thing of the past come Festival time".
He said back-up generators would available for possible electricity failures and any water disruptions would be managed by alternating between the two water treatment works, the Waainek and the James Kleynhans.
The use of water tankers will also be an option should any water disruptions occur. Matebese said Makana was in partnership with other stakeholders and nearby municipalities should any problems occur.
Executive Mayor, Zamuxolo Peter, alongside MEC for Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Xoliswa Tom, will be welcoming visitors into Grahamstown, at the Eastern Cape's official opening of the Festival on Wednesday 29 June.
