Kramats fun warms crowd

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Kramat fun warms crowd

 

The camping site seen from the top of the hill in the Kramat. Aisha Cassiem

 

Dark skies and showers flooded the Kramat in Faure over the weekend, leaving over 5,000 campers in muddy grounds and puddles of water. But despite the miserable weather, spirits remained high and families huddled together in their tents trying to keep warm, while being entertained by the array of artists lined up to perform. 

VOC's broadcast at the Kramat festival for the 14th year brought live coverage from the site since Thursday, with enthusiastic fans meeting their favourite presenters. Yusuf Fisher went live with the iconic Golden Hour and Caravan show on Saturday with Gouwa Solomons and Jamiel Wallace presenting the Palestinian rally from the Kramat later the day.

With the spiritual upliftment programs taking place throughout the weekend, a variety of other entertainment acts also kept the crowd going up till three in the morning. “This year’s performances and entertainment set out for vacationers was amazing and the enthusiasm on people’s faces while enjoying it was great,” said Ebrahiem Peters, one of the coordinators.

Peters said that because of the rainy weather that hit Cape Town this weekend, they were forced to cancel some of their activities. “The horse parade was one of our main attractions for this weekend. Unfortunately due to the weather, we were forced to cancel the show as it was too dangerous for the horses." He added that although they had minor problems this weekend, the activities they had set out for people was more than sufficient.

Amongst the performances on Saturday and Sunday were several brigade groups such as the Habibia Muslim Brigade and Nurul Mubeen Brigade that paraded into the entertainment area with their neatly attired uniform and instruments. But the crowds got going when popular qasida group Ijaaz took to the stage keeping people warm with their harmonious voices throughout the evening.

Talented guitar group Spanglish also stirred the crowd with their smooth Spanish instrumentals. With 200 tents packed across the field filled with families from all over Cape Town, food was in abundance. Organisers set up food stalls around the camp site, making it easy to grab a bite to eat without the hassle of cooking using outdoor appliances.

“This is our fourth year we are camping in Faure. Although the rainy weather caught us this weekend, we had a marvelous time spent with family and friends and the activities was tops,” said camper Zainub Adams. He added that her kids had been on the go since they arrived on Friday morning, running around and making friends with other campers over the weekend. With adults being entertained by most of the stage activities, kids were also kept busy with two hours filled with fun, including a magic show and numerous sports activities on Sunday morning, as skies the cleared.

Another camper said she had been elated by this year’s entertainment and the fact that they had a South Africa’s Got Talent finalist on stage on Sunday was amazing. “I was stunned by the amount of people who stood in the pouring rain to watch Limited Edition perform. They were the only group that kept the crowd in the rain throughout all performances this weekend," said Najma Appollis.

With a positive response from the majority of this year’s holiday makers, families braved the cold weather, enjoying the last bits of entertainment set out for the weekend. Campers will leave the site on Monday and head back home. VOC (Aishah Cassiem

13 killed in WC accidents

13 killed in WC accidents

As South African motorists make the long haul back home after the Easter weekend, road authorities have confirmed that 109 people have lost their lives on the roads since Friday. In the Western Cape, 13 people died on the provinces roads, double the amount in 2011. According to Ashraf Ismail from the Road and Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), most incidents took place over night. Ismail said whilst most holidaymakers have returned home, drivers needed to remain vigilant on the road.

“We want to remain cautiously optimistic that fewer accidents occur this year,” he told VOC Breakfast Beat, adding that official figures would only be released later this month. Ismail said they are also relying on the South African Police Service to give statistics for the number of breakdowns over the weekend. A major challenge for road authorities are that many of the traffic campaigns are not authentic and traffic officials are not available to work after hours, as this is the time most accidents occur. 

“We don’t need any more laws on our roads, we need more law keepers,” he said. “What we need are people who can actually assist us in these road alerts. If you look at our numbers, we are just under 17 000 traffic officers trying to man a network of vehicles travelling 750 000 km in SA.”

In terms of law enforcement in this country, South Africa has amongst the most comprehensive pieces of legislation regulating road safety in the country. Ismail urged the public to observe road safety tips and to make sure that all drivers including passengers buckle up. He added they would like to see the seat belt rate increase, as studies have shown that buckling up can dramatically reduce the possibility of death in an accident.

“I think that people are aware of how strict we have become on this issue and are slowly starting to obey guidelines. They are starting to feel the heat on enforcement and we will not soften on these regulations,” said Ismail. He said that they will continue to drill this into the mind-set of road users to make them understand and realise their responsibility, playing an equal part in ensuring they comply with these rules. VOC (Aishah Cassiem)

Palestine Remembered

Palestine remembered

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The Habibiya band as part of the Palestine program at the Kramat Festival. Aisha Cassiem

 

Following the success of the Global March to Jerusalem (GM2J) drawing hundreds of pro-Palestinian supporters to a march to Parliament on 30  March, some 300 people showed up at the traditional Palestinian rally at the Kramat festival on Saturday to push for consciousness on the Palestinian fight for freedom. Neatly attired in their white and green uniform, children and women in green hijab marched alongside men from Habibia Muslim Brigade leading the rally, an annual event at the Cape cultural event.

Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) secretary-general Maulana Abdul Khaliq Allie urged Muslims in South Africa to stand together and fight until Palestine is free. “As Muslims living in South Africa, living in peace and harmony amongst Jewish, Christians and various religions, we should yield assistance for our brothers and sisters in Palestine, for one day they too will be free,” he called. Allie added that Muslims within Cape Town are not only representing Palestine, but also all those who are oppressed around the globe. 

“Our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) brought freedom and humanity to the world. We should be ambassadors and stand together to bring this to an end,” he said. With the crowds wearing their bold Palestinian tops and flags throughout the programe, supporters chanted for freedom throughout the rainy conditions. 'Viva Palestine Viva, Takbeer for Palestine, Takbeer,' were some of the cries.

“The Zionist entity in South Africa and their companions in Cape Town today, let it be known that Palestine will soon be free. We will bring down the violence in Palestine and those whose lives they have so brutally. We have brought down apartheid in South Africa and we will do it in Palestine,” said Imam Ismail Isghaak. He added that apartheid was very much born in our country and that our Muslim citizens have faced it, knowing what they have so viciously gone through. “Palestine is experiencing it ten times more and even worse than what we did in apartheid," he said.

Sheikh Isgaak Taliep of the Al Quds Foundation got the crowd’s attention when he called on Muslims to be comprehensive in their duties and responsibilities in Islam and for Muslims to live a dignified life and stand together for the liberation of Palestinians. “What is the response of our entire ummah when these countries are being attacked? There are only a handful of people who understand their responsibility and what is necessary to exert in the time and phase of these challenges,” he told the audience.

As community leaders leading the crowd with strong encouragement and motivation for the liberation of Palestine, supporters gathered to make dua for the end to the suffering of Palestinians. With this, well-known qasida group Ijaaz used their vocals to bring emotion by chanting 'Birugh-Bidum- Nafdeeka Ya Aqsa’ as well as inspirational nasheeds drawing attention to the Palestinian cause. VOC (Aishah Cassiem)

vision needs solaah room

The Vision and Child Youth Care Centre is calling on the community to assist them in creating a prayer facility as part of their building project for 2012. An extention to the centre - which presently caters for 50 abandoned children - is nearing completion this year. The non-profit organisation has set aside about 85 square meters as a  salah area. However, according to Vision manager, Saadick Jacobs, the cost to furnish the area was exhorbitant. This after the centre received a quote of R25,000 to carpet and furnish the facility. "Daily prayers are one of our top priorities at the centre and we want to give these children an atmosphere of a real masjid.”

He said their aim wais to provide the abandoned children with a safe and stable environment, along with giving them the tools they need to succeed, this includes spiritual guidance which the salah facility would provide. According to Jacobs, after approaching various businesses this week, they managed to raise R5,000 thus far.  “A group of females within the area also offered to host a ladies night to raise funds for the centre and is in the process of it,” he added.

Meanwhile, the centre has opened a car wash business to raise funds, situated on the corner of Belgravia Street which is run by one of the committee members. “Apart from the car wash, we will also be having a few events throughout the year to raise funds for this project.” This was part of the home's ongoing effort to raise funds to ensure its sustainability.

As such, Jacobs said, they were infinitely grateful for the support from the community throughout the years and hoped that this latest project would be equaly successful. If you would like to donate towards Vision and Youth Child Care Centre, you may contact Jacobs on 021 629 1129/49. VOC (Aishah Cassiem)

festival gets better

After a slow start on Friday evening due to the inclement weather, the Jive Boland Festival hit a high note on Saturday evening when people stood in long queues to gain entry to the fundraising event held at the Daljosafat Stadium in Paarl in aid of the Paarl Muslim Jamah. With a new, streamlined setting and a more professional set up, the event is marking its 13th year in a big way in 2012.

It is particularly the new settign that has drawn much enthusiasm from visitors. Speaking to Saturday Live, Yusri Abrahams from the organising team, said the new setting provided not only a greener, bigger space, but also offered a spectacular view of the Boland town. “People don’t have to walk far to get to the entrance anymore as we’ve moved to the other side of the field, (closer to the entrance)," he explained.
"It is much cosier and the fact that we have the Club House right next to us is fantastic.” Abrahams said because new grass had been planted on the field used last year, they were compelled to move to the opposite side since stadium holders would not allow any tents to be pitched or fires to be made on the newly laid grass.

He reported that Friday's inclement weather, which caused heavy rains in Cape Town, had affected their attendance on Friday, but many still turned out to enjoy a lovely evening. “It is amazing seeing these people fill up the stadium for the 13th year now and we appreciate the fact that many of them have to travel great distances to get here,” said Abrahams.

Entertainment

A big annual draw card is the live entertainment, ranging from qasida groups to other local performances, like the Khayelitsha based opera group, Heavenly Quartez. The youth were particularly drawn to the 20 carnival rides in the fun fair, as well as the drifting which for the second year in a row brought in large numbers of car enthusiasts. With more than 100 stall and over 20 exhibitions at the festival, along with a host of food stand, visitors are spoilt for choice and great bargains to vie for in a warm, communal atmosphere.
But while Saturday was a bumper, day, Abrahams said they have an equally full line up for th last day on Sunday. “We have a variety of entertainment lined up for festival goers and exciting sports events on the last day.” Abrahams said that well known singer Zane Adams and South Africa’s Got Talent winner James Bhemgee are among the highlights.

At the same time, there are good causes to support. “The Physical Disabled Institute will also be having their finals at the festival tomorrow and we want people to come and support these participants from all nine provinces to cheer them on.” Abrahams explained that the participants who win the disabled sporting event will head overseas to compete against other countries.

Meanwhile, there are buses available for those who do not have transport from various parts of Cape Town. “We are organizing these buses especially for the pensioners and those without vehicles at only R50 from Cape Town to Paarl and back,” Abrahams said, adding that this cost includes a breakfast voucher and free cool drink at the entrance.

“If you have not joined us for the past two days, then make your way to Paarl. We want you to come and experience the Jive Boland Festival and leave with a memorable experience,” Abrahams urged. The entrance fee is R15 for adults, R10 for pensioners and R5 for children. VOC (Aishah Cassiem)

sucess at Boland Festival

 Organisers of the Jive Boland Summer Festival are elated by the success of this year's event after more than 5,000 people showed up at the Daljosafat stadium in Paarl on the last day. Families packed the field, picnicing on various spots with children seen all over the arena, clutching on candy sticks and balloons. Festival coordinator Waagied Hendricks said he was amazed at the turnout on the last day of the three day annual event. “I could hardly believe my eyes. The lines where packed and people where queuing up at various stalls to get their goodies till late the night,” he told VOC News.

With the performances lined up throughout the day, festival goers packed the entertainment area, cheering for a few of Cape Town’s most talented artists. Amongst the crowd-pleasers were SA’s Got Talent winner James Bhemgee, The Boys, Heavenly Quartez, Monox , Identity, Rashaad Voegt and others. With the entertainers doing their best to keep the spirit of the audience going, they also had the crowds in stitches with their unrehearsed jokes.

Rashaad Voegt, a performer and one of the coordinators dealing with the festival’s entertainment, said  the festival was brilliantly organized. “The festival is definitely growing and the atmosphere we had was like a big family and a home away from home,” he said. Voegt added that having VOC as the media partner draw the crowds to the festival. With VOC broadcasting at the festival throughout the weekend, presenters Ayesha Laatoe and Yusuf Fisher got the audience hyped up.

Festival-goer Allie Abrahams, who attended the festival with his family, said that he enjoyed this year’s atmosphere and that the new setup was much easier and accessible. “I traveled all the way from Cape Town with my family and must say that it is worth the long drive,” Abrahams said, adding that he was looking forward to the festival next year.

On the other side of the stadium, smoke hailed from across the fence as youngsters cheered on the drifting squad showing off their skills on the pitch. “The drifting was amazing and the fact that there were safety measures and strict guards on the pitch means it was well organized,” said Yaseen Mohamad, one of the volunteers at the drifting club.

The festival managed to attract over 10 000 people this year. Organisers of the festival said that they are looking forward to next year’s event and can assure it will be bigger and better the 14th year round. VOC (Aishah Cassiem)

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