By Nangamso Mabindla
5 December 2005

BUFFALO City launched its festive season in earnest last week with a hat trick of street lighting events in Mdantsane, King William's Town and East London.

The popular annual street lighting festivities brought the King William's Town Main Road to a standstill on Thursday, 1 December as residents flooded into the street for a piece of the fun. Not be outdone, Mdantsane switched on its lights, the first time festive street lights have been put up in the township.

Mayor Sindisile Maclean was happy Mdantsane was included in this year's festivities. "It was also fitting to start the festivities in Mdantsane as it is one of the places chosen for the presidential Urban Renewal Programme. Locals will be able to feel part of the City's festivities," he said.

However, the turnout was not what the City had hoped for. "We will not despair because we had a similar turnout in King William's Town when we held the event there for the first time. I'm convinced that when we host next year's event we will have a better turn out," Maclean added.

On Saturday, 3 December it was East London's turn for its spectacular lights to be switched on, with thousands thronging the Esplanade. The festive streetlights have become synonymous with the Esplanade during the summer season.

Maclean said people must enjoy themselves during the festive season, but he warned criminals that the City's law enforcement would be out in full force during this time.

With those words, the mayor switched on the Christmas lights and declared the festive season open. Then fireworks lit up the East London sky and the beach party began in earnest.