This year’s Harfield Carnival aims to improve the security system in the community.
The day-long carnival will take place in 2nd Avenue on Saturday 14 April from 09:00.
This will mark the 10th anniversary of the carnival, which hopes to attract thousands of patrons. The carnival offers various festivities suitable for everyone and a wide variety of stalls that will form part of a fundraising effort.
According to carnival organiser and manager of the Harfield Village Community Improvement District (HVCID), Jenni Coleman, all proceeds from the carnival will be donated to the Har-Lyn Neighbourhood Watch (NHW). She says the NHW has been looking to tighten security in the community in light of the high number of common robberies taking placing in the area. She says the idea of installing and monitoring cameras has been in the pipeline for some time, but the NHW has not yet been able to raise sufficient funds, hence it was agreed that the money raised through the carnival should be donated to the NHW.
“As in most suburbs in Cape Town, Harfield Village residents have been the target of crime, as have the many people that walk through the area from the two train stations located in the area. There are also schools, churches and a mosque in the area whose scholars and attendees need to feel safe. It is apparent that we cannot just rely solely on the South African Police Service and that further layers of security are required. Our active Har-Lyn Neighbourhood Watch assists in securing the area, but the installation and monitoring of cameras will provide further protection,” Coleman says.
Urging the public to support the carnival, Coleman explains that it is all about celebrating their special village through the offering of a fun-filled day comprising shopping, local designs and crafts, delicious food and great live music. She says many stall holders return year after year to sell their crafts at the street carnival, and this year is no different.
“We also have some exciting new stalls holders displaying their goods who have joined us from several well-known markets, including the monthly Kirstenbosch Market. Most of our stall holders are small local businesses and we love offering them a space to showcase their goods.”
Dereck Bluck, chairperson of the benefiting NHW, says they are happy to be identified as the beneficiary as this will help them fulfil their mandate of ensuring safety in the community. He says the rise in criminal activities in the community has been alarming and they are busy finding new measures of protection.
