Major bank backs Joburg festival
JOBURG – One of South Africa's major banks has thrown its weight behind this year's Joburg City Festival.
Absa has become the title sponsor of the four-day arts and entertainment extravaganza that celebrates the re-emergence of the inner city as a commercial, creative and residential centre.
The Absa Joburg City Festival will run from 2 until 5 October.
Associate sponsors of this Joburg City Tourism Association initiative include DSTV, Kaya FM and Newtown Junction, while festival partners include Gauteng Tourism, Gautrain, Pick n Pay Ticketing, and Rea Vaya.
The tourism association appointed Live World Productions to produce the event.
Festival spokesperson Gerald Garner said that the main programme would cover over 10 inner-city hubs, namely Absa Campus, Braamfontein, Constitution Hill, the Fashion District, Ferreirasdorp, Fordsburg, Maboneng Precinct, Marshalltown’s corporate mining district, Milpark, Newtown, and the Retail District.
“To coincide with the opening of the festival, the Absa Art Gallery will unveil a new collection, and the Absa Money Museum will showcase artefacts pertaining to the city’s 128-year history,” he said.
“Atterbury Property will launch Newtown Junction, comprising a shopping centre, a hotel, a gym, and 2400 underground parking bays. There will also be a venue for public performances by various artists during the festival.”
Absa will also host the popular Boktown at Absa Campus and will support the Fan Mile from the campus to Ellis Park Stadium, via Maboneng, for the clash between the Springboks and New Zealand on 4 October.
“A festival fringe programme [will include] art, film, music, poetry and theatre, as well as food, drink and… inner-city tours,” said Garner.
“All the festival venues are easily accessible by means of… the Gautrain and Rea Vaya. In addition, there will be park and ride facilities from central nodes such as Constitution Hill, Milpark and Newtown Junction.”
Garner added that the festival will be a cashless event wherever possible, with Absa’s new Payment Pebble device being made available to venues and vendors.
“The city’s heritage architecture, struggle history, specialist retailers, foodie destinations, galleries, museums and experiential activities provide a welcome reprieve from the suburban landscape and lifestyle,” he said.
“We fly all over the world in search of cosmopolitan experiences like outdoor markets, rooftop bars, and side-street cafes, but they are on our doorstep. All we need to do is step out of our comfort zones and rediscover the city we call home.”
Details: 082 894 5216; www.joburgcityfest.co.za
