News / National
Harare carnival put on hold, again
11 Oct 2018 at 06:40hrs | Views
THE Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) has indefinitely postponed this year's edition of the Harare International Carnival citing the government ban on public gatherings in the wake of a cholera outbreak that claimed nearly 50 people across the country.
Although the government has since indicated that the epidemic has been effectively contained, the ZTA has - for the third time - shelved plans to hold the fifth edition of the international arts and culture fete that had been scheduled to run from Monday next week to October 20.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, the authority's chief executive Karikoga Kaseke said they saw it prudent to abide by the ban.
"This is a health situation which we are facing so we are postponing (the carnival) indefinitely because what if it (cholera outbreak) continues until year end?" Kaseke queried.
"We are saying indefinite because we do not know for how long we are going to stay with this ban, but if it is not quickly lifted, it means maybe we will be looking at next month, which is November, and rains are coming."
The scheduled road show activations in the build-up to the street march have also been cancelled. Harare, however, successfully hosted the Shoko Festival and Jacaranda Festival, among others, over the past two weeks despite the cholera fears.
The development comes in the wake of an economic meltdown stalking the nation resulting in local institutions, including government, cutting costs on luxurious spending, a bracket where the cultural fiesta could fit.
Although the government has since indicated that the epidemic has been effectively contained, the ZTA has - for the third time - shelved plans to hold the fifth edition of the international arts and culture fete that had been scheduled to run from Monday next week to October 20.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, the authority's chief executive Karikoga Kaseke said they saw it prudent to abide by the ban.
"This is a health situation which we are facing so we are postponing (the carnival) indefinitely because what if it (cholera outbreak) continues until year end?" Kaseke queried.
"We are saying indefinite because we do not know for how long we are going to stay with this ban, but if it is not quickly lifted, it means maybe we will be looking at next month, which is November, and rains are coming."
The scheduled road show activations in the build-up to the street march have also been cancelled. Harare, however, successfully hosted the Shoko Festival and Jacaranda Festival, among others, over the past two weeks despite the cholera fears.
The development comes in the wake of an economic meltdown stalking the nation resulting in local institutions, including government, cutting costs on luxurious spending, a bracket where the cultural fiesta could fit.
Source - newsday
