31 000 at final draw fest
2009-12-04 20:23
Cape Town - So many fans had packed into Cape Town's 2010 draw street festival by Friday evening that authorities began turning people away.
City spokesperson Kylie Hatton said organisers had planned for 18 000 people, but by 18:00, 31 000 had entered the cordoned off area of Long Street in the city centre.
"So for safety reasons we are going to be restricting access to the area," she said just after 19:00.
People who wanted to watch the draw on a big screen should rather go to the V&A Waterfront.
"We're managing the numbers that we've got [at Long Street] very well. We've got 1 000 law enforcement officers there."
"But we don't want to increase the numbers any more because we want people to be safe and appreciate the final draw."
In addition to the cordoned-off area of upper Long Street, organisers had also closed off Wale Street between Adderley and Loop streets to vehicles, to assist with the overflow of fans.
In the cordoned-off area, fans sang and danced to some South Africa's top music acts, including Freshlyground and Jimmy Dludlu.
VIPs
Across town outside the convention centre, site of the draw, curious onlookers peered through wire mesh barriers hoping to catch a glimpse of arriving VIPs.
"I'm not leaving unless I see Charlize," one man said in reference to Oscar winning actress Charlize Theron who is due to compere the draw ceremony along with England player David Beckham.
The centre itself was closed to the general public with police mounting guard on foot and others patrolling on horseback.
A military helicopter circled overhead.
Some 1 000 police are said to be on patrol around the event.
Armed forces are on standby and air security protocols have been tightened for flights around the city.
Drummers and Lion King style performers on stilts performed for the dignitaries as they arrived outside the event.
The VIPs, many men in dark suits and women in colourful satin dresses, were escorted down a red carpet and into the centre by models in gold dresses with mohawk hairstyles.
More than 100 million people are expected to watch the event live on television in 200 countries around the world.
- SAPA