Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis hit the switch to ignite the lights in front of a crowd of over 70 000 who gathered on the Grand Parade, Darling Street and Adderley Street last night.
The lights installation, which stretches the length of Adderley Street and into Darling Street, features around 6 000 metres of LED rope light fashioned into various designs.
They will stay up until the week of 20 to 25 January 2024.
Last night’s switch-on moment was preceded by the popular concert with a star-studded line-up including headline performer Cassper Nyovest, Amapiano artist Focalistic, SAMA award-winning singer Matthew Mole, rapper Ricky Vani Frontline, rock ‘n roll Afrikaans band RAAF and Die Tjommies, Hanover Park’s cultural singing troupe, among others.
With it being a family-friendly free event, the City’s Safety & Security Services, the CCID and the private security companies kept a tight focus on public safety by ensuring comprehensive measures were in place.
‘The City’s enforcement agencies, in collaboration with SAPS and private security, ensured that all those in attendance enjoyed the event without any disturbances. I’m happy to report that there were no major incidents reported during the festivities. We would like to thank attendees for abiding by the rules and hope that this will be a recurring theme for this festive season,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.
Through partnership with the KID SMART Project, 15 children who had separated from their parents or guardians were reunited thanks to the temporary “SMART” bracelet fitted on minors on arrival.
Energy efficacy
For the second year in a row, the electricity used for the Festive Lights Switch-On is greened using renewable energy, thanks to renewable energy certificates (RECs) generated by the Darling Wind Farm.
Additionally, the LED light robes have energy saving (1W) bulbs which consume less energy than the normal incandescent lamp (60/15W).
By using these low consumption devices, the City reduces the load on the network considerably.
This year’s lights fixtures has a new addition – a large Christmas tree on the Grand Parade – which will provide the holiday cheer on Darling Street.
In addition to the installation along Adderley Street and into Darling Street, the City is installing festive lights in the following areas:
- Bellville (Civic)
- Bishop Lavis
- Blue Downs
- Bothasig
- Brackenfell
- Chris Nissan Park
- Durbanville
- Edgemead
- Eerste River
- Goodwood
- Jip de Jager
- Kraaifontein
- Kuils River
- Macassar
- Macintyre
- N1 City
- Northpine
- Panorama
- Ruytewacht
- Westbank
- Gordons Bay
- Grassy Park
- Kalk Bay
- Fish Hoek
- Muizenberg Pavilion
- Hout Bay
- Mitchells Plain (Tafelsig)
- Gugulethu
- Wetton
- Seawinds
- Retreat (Tana Road)
- Heathfield
- Southfield
- Lotus River
- Ottery
- Parkwood (Hyde Road)
- Old Kendall road
- Lariat Close
- Plumstead
- Wynberg
- Steenberg
- Lavender Hill
- Pella
- Atlantis
- Dynefontein (Merchant Walk)
- Melkbos
- Milnerton
- Summer Greens
- Koeberg Hall
- Sea Point (Queens Road)
- Hanover Park
- Kromboom
- Crawford
- Belgravia
- Athlone
- Sybrand Park
- Kensington
- Maitland
- Thornton
- Woodstock
- Salt River
- Pinelands
- Garden Village
- Valhalla Park
- Manenberg
- Strand
- Somerset West
- Sir Lowry’s Pass
- Ravensmead
