KOUGA Municipality will be opening this year’s Festive Season with a bang this Saturday, 15 December.
The municipality will be hosting its first official fireworks show at 8:30pm on the day, preceded by a host of fun activities and the switching on of the festive lights.
Kouga Mayor Horatio Hendricks said the fireworks show would be about five minutes in duration and would be launched from a boat some 500m from the coast.
“A professional pyrotechnician, with the necessary permits from the police’s Explosives Unit, was appointed. The police will also be doing an inspection on the day to ensure all safety requirements are met,” he said.
“We were assured that the risk of sea pollution is basically non-existent as the type of fireworks that will be used, is totally consumed by the explosion and does not leave bits floating about.”
He said the Port Control Authority would also be informed of the show, although the fireworks are not expected to interfere with their operations.
“The fireworks will not go as high as emergency flares typically do.”
Hendricks said the discharging of fireworks by the public was strictly prohibited throughout the Kouga region.
“Despite it being illegal for the public to discharge fireworks, many people still do so, especially over the festive season.
“That is why the municipality decided to arrange an official fireworks show this year, with all the necessary police authorisations and safety requirements in place.
“We wish to plead with the public to refrain from breaking the law by discharging fireworks at home or in public spaces,” he said.
“If you want to celebrate the holiday season with fireworks, rather come and join us at the main beachfront of Jeffreys Bay for the official show.”
He said one of the advantages of having an official show is that pet owners then know when to expect the noise and can make the necessary arrangements to protect their animals from potential trauma.
Should weather conditions prevent the show from taking place on 15 December, it will be postponed till the next evening.
A second official fireworks show is also being planned. It will take place on December 31, from 23:59 to 00:09, at the main beachfront of Jeffreys Bay.
