A long-time Pelican Heights resident organised a community carnival aimed at connecting neighbours.

Roy Lalu, who has lived in the area for around 40 years, started the Pelican Heights Carnival as a private initiative to bring the community together on 11 April.

“I initiated this whole thing purely just to bring the community together,” said Lalu. “And create some sort of connectivity, you know, for the area. People live very independently and lots of people here are meeting other people for the first time.”

The event featured free food and entertainment, including performances by the Broadway Troop, marching bands and other local talent.

Lalu deliberately kept the carnival free of charge and prevented any sales activities.

“Everything that’s provided for is free,” he explained. “It’s not a flea market. We don’t want anyone to sell anything.”

Annual event planned

Lalu, who is not a civic association member, spent two and a half months planning the carnival with the help of a working committee.

“We hope this is going to be an annual event. That’s really my intention,” he said.

The organiser deliberately kept the initiative outside civic structures to avoid political finger-pointing.

“No member of the community can say the civic did this or they didn’t do this. They can point at me if they want to because I don’t account to them or to the public,” Lalu said.

Community connector

Lalu described himself as an active community member who helps resolve local issues and brings parties together when problems arise.

“Somebody has to do something. If not everybody stays in their little cocoons, go to work, and return,” he said. “I was the first citizen of the area, so I’ve been here just around 40 years. All others have come in later. So the people know me because of me being here.”

The carnival featured entertainment from residents of Pelican Heights and the surrounding suburbs and was held in front of Lalu’s home which had a spectacular view of False Bay.

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