IT’s all systems go with the Umgungundlovu Gospel Picnic that will be held at The Oval Cycling Ground in Alexandra Park on November 16 from 10am.
The picnic is hosted by TLA Events and it was officially launched on Tuesday.
This event has taken place annually over the past 10 years, but previously it was just prayer that brought people together as they prayed for a decrease in accidents ahead of the festive season.
Manqoba Gina, from TLA Events, said they decided last year that they want to turn this event into a gospel picnic to accommodate everyone.
“When we started this prayer event we noticed that there were lot of tragic things happening as we approached the festive season; things like road accidents. We then decided to start this prayer event.
“However, last year we decided that this year’s event must take a different route and we decided to make this a family event with prayers ,” he added.
Gina said that they want to grow the event until it reaches provincial level.
“In December we are going to Dundee; this event is more like a tour now because at the end of the day the things that we pray for do not only affect people from Pietermaritzburg but other people from other areas as well,” he said.
Gina said this is also a platform where they want to give local artists a chance to perform for a large audience.
Former mayor Themba Njilo of Themba Njilo Foundation, which has been supporting this event for the past 10 years, said:“This is not just a picnic. We will be praying for social ills and for the abuse against women and children to stop as well.
“We also pray for good things to happen for our families and city during the festive season,” he added.
Ticket for the picnic are R120 general and R250 VIP at Webticket and Pick n Pay.
“When we started this prayer event we noticed that there were lot of tragic things happening as we approached the festive season; things like road accidents.
We then decided to start this prayer event.”
