Following his resignation from the Gordon’s Bay Business Forum, former chairperson Gordon Burnham-King felt it necessary to “clear the air” after an investigation report was made public, shedding light on the failed Winter Wonderland Festival.

The Winter Wonderland Festival was cancelled on Saturday 29 July after months of hype created around the annual calendar highlight. The abrupt cancellation of the event came followed its much-anticipated launch with a parade through the town on Friday (28 July).

DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette previously reported that Ed Bham, the event organiser, made the call to suspend the rides and trading, attributing the abrupt and premature shutdown to inclement weather.

The City of Cape Town, however, said the event was not permitted to proceed in the first place.

Details of the report included the alleged “breakdown of trust” which allegedly resulted in the resignation of Burnham-King as Gordon’s Bay Business Forum (GBBF) chairman on Tuesday 3 October and revelations into the delayed background check done on the appointed organiser.

While Burnham-King could not comment on his resignation at the time, as he was busy drafting a response to be shared at a GBBF meeting scheduled for 7 November. However, according to Burnham-King, he was allegedly deprived of the opportunity to read the response at the scheduled meeting.

Determined to share his side on the matter, he said: “At the meeting held in November, I started to read and give feedback when I was cut short by members of GBBF. I wanted them (GBBF) to circulate my feedback on the report.”

He elaborated and explained to the newspaper that the crux of the report was the mandate to investigate why the festival was cancelled and who is responsible for this.

Investigation a failure

“When it comes down to the central point of the cancellation of the festival it is because the permit was not in place,” reckoned Burnham-King.

He further stated that the two entities responsible for this was Bham and the City of Cape Town. “The investigation did not look into any of these two entities. It looked into the person who led the team and appointed the event organiser. It (the investigation report) failed in its mandate,” claimed Burnham-King.

In his feedback he stated the conclusion of the report failed to consider the appointment of the Ed Bham Foundation (EBF) as the conclusion of a deliberation process with the GBBF exco and Ed Bham. “Pursuant to these deliberations, the matter was put to a vote where after an appointment was made,” said Burnham-King.

He added there is not a requirement in GBBF’s constitution (or elsewhere) that due diligence needs to be conducted before appointing an event organiser.

“A conclusion is then drawn that the chair played a role by acting in an ‘independent, irresponsible and uncoordinated manner’ and that the exco members were excluded.

“The fact of the matter is the exco members chose to play a passive role after the appointment of the EBF.

“In fact, there are numerous examples of them requesting that the chair address certain matters with EBF. Nothing prevented them from involving themselves and engaging with the EBF.”

Burnham-King admitted the failure of Winter Wonderland could have been avoided if there were certain structures in place at GBBF.

“This could have been avoided if the organisational structure of the GBBF had made provision for oversight, delineation of responsibilities, sub-committees, due diligence and tender processes.”

Burnham-King said he was “refused any access to the report by the investigating team and the exco” and “had no sight of the report” before it was read out. “I had no opportunity to respond to the findings.”

Blame laid at his feet

In his feedback he said that the report seeks to lay the blame at the feet of the chairperson.

“This is a short-sighted conclusion that cherry-picked convenient facts, denied me my rights of audi alteram partem (meaning to hear the other side) which resulted in the publication of a highly defamatory report replete with inadequate facts to support its conclusions.”

Basil Cranko, the newly elected chair of the business forum, confirmed the forum had received Burnham-King’s feedback, but added that no feedback would be supplied from the forum’s side. “In recent months there have been some disturbing revelations made at the GBBF, which led to an internal investigation and working through some critical problems,” he said. “As a result, a special general meeting was called and a new executive committee elected by the members. It was also decided there are some essential changes that need to be introduced in the way decisions have been made and business conducted. First and foremost was the vote to change the name and branding of the GBBF to the Gordon’s Bay Business Association.”

Cranko hoped this will demonstrate the earnest attempt made by the new exco to rectify the errors of the past.

“The association will also amend the current constitution and code of conduct to reflect these changes and will have them ratified, voted on and passed by the members. The focus of the association will be directed to listening to local businesses and assisting and guiding those that want input to improve their standing and longevity within the region. Meetings are open to the public and visitors are welcome.”