You cannot keep the people of Richmond Hill and our wonderful city down for long.
The recent tragic murder of Marolien Schmidt at her home sent shock waves throughout Nelson Mandela Bay.
It has also brought the community of one of our most historic districts closer together.
Richmond Hill, like all of our central neighbourhoods, is all the richer because of diversity.
On Saturday 2 September we get to rejoice in our differences at the annual Richmond Hill Street Music Festival.
The timing couldn’t have been better. This is an opportunity for us all to join together in a celebration of our music, art and culture and to demonstrate that togetherness will overcome the darker forces among us.
After a highly successful relaunch event in 2022 the street festival will feature even more of the best musical and creative arts talents in the Municipality. And on the eve of the Rugby World Cup in France, Richmond Hill will have a distinctly French feel to it for the 12 hour festival.
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality have again partnered with the Alliance Française Cultural Centre to bring festival goers an experience to remember.
A new improved main stage will feature the best of our own local artists. There will be buskers adding to the ‘street vibe’ as well as a wide range of local Eastern Cape crafters producing items that are truly unique to our region.
An authentic French ‘Village’ will add to the cultural experience of the festival.
Director Guillaume Favier Nirere from Alliance Française, is excited to be able to build on the unique vibe of the day:
“The event celebrates the cultural vibrancy of the traditional “Fête de la Musique”, with the specific aim to combine a contemporary French tradition with the renowned South African diversity. It allows musicians and members of the public to interact on a social level. It is also an opportunity for the families of Nelson Mandela Bay to discover new artists and various other creative stalls and have a fun day together.”
MMC for Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Councillor Bassie Kamana, recalls the wonderful vibe of 2022: “The Festival was an undoubted success and the potential to grow is significant. As the leaders of the Metro we were pleased to see that the promotion of diversity was visible in the make-up of the vendors, performers, artists and in the mix of attendees who enjoyed a day that featured harmony, enjoyment and spending 12 hours as one community in Nelson Mandela Bay.”
In light of recent events in the region, Kamana is also keen to emphasise how Richmond Hill will once more be “a safe space where we can all get together to learn about each other’s cultures and experiences.”
A R40 admission fee will allow you entrance to the festival which will feature local artists and bands on 2 stages, as well as food trucks, craft stands, busker mini stages, school choirs, creative art features and special offers from the restaurants in the area.
The pedestrianised area will feature new crowd pleasers without changing the authentic vibe of the festival.
Discover Mandela Bay’s Shaun van Eck feels that their partnership with the festival will build opportunities for smaller community tourism businesses.
“We really appreciate that through the event the organisers have ensured the festival makes an impact on small businesses and communities from the broader Nelson Mandela Bay areas.”
He also believes that “with people from every community being together for this 12 hour festival it inspires us to show what our city can really achieve.”
The Richmond Hill Street Music Festival takes place on Saturday 2 September in Stanley and Mackay Streets from 10am to 10pm. An expert event security force will be on hand to guard against any fun spoilers.
It makes for a fabulous family-friendly experience and a joyous celebration of our diversity.
Marolien would be proud.
Dr Dean Allen is a best-selling author and keynote speaker
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