Scifest fears laid to rest – for now

Fears that Grahamstown could lose Africa’s biggest science festival to East London have been downplayed by organisers despite sponsor concerns over the shabby state of the city.

Scifest Africa director Anja Fourie yesterday confirmed that Scifest Africa met on Monday with National Arts Festival (NAF) CEO Tony Lankester and asked him to raise concerns with Makana municipality’s aesthetics committee.

Lankester, an aesthetics committee member, then informed the committee that East London was being punted as another venue option, sparking fears Scifest Africa could be moved from Grahamstown.

Grahamstown Foundation executive director Louisa Clayton yesterday said they owned the intellectual property of the national science festival and Scifest Africa, and it would not be moved.

According to Fourie, Scifest’s main sponsor, the Department of Science and Technology (DST), had inquired in a recent meeting with Scifest Africa about the readiness of the city to host the event.

She said specific reference was made to aesthetics and health and safety risks including cleanliness, heritage and public building fronts, welcoming signs, potholes, street lights and damaged pavements.

“I believe these issues may be a concern for any sponsor whose brand is closely associated with an event.

“The DST, in that meeting, also inquired whether another city in the province, such as East London, may be better resourced to host a festival the size of the National Science Festival.”

Although Fourie said no formal research had been done into the economic impact of Scifest Africa to Grahamstown, she did confirm they spent R3.5-million of their annual budget locally and created 150 temporary jobs.

“One can safely assume that accommodation, catering and transport services for 60000 visitors and 350 presenters and facilitators will inject millions into the city and the province.”

Next year is the 20th anniversary of Scifest in Grahamstown and 60000 visitors are expected.

Fourie said organisers will again be working closely with the Makana municipality to properly prepare the city.

“There is no chance Scifest Africa will lose the support of the DST due to their concern over aesthetics and health and safety risks in Grahamstown.”

Fourie said a new contract had been signed with the DST at the end of July where they committed support of R2-million annually for two more years.

She said Scifest Africa was meeting the municipality on Wednesday to discuss how they could help address the issues.

Municipal spokeswoman Yoliswa Ramokolo yesterday said joint operations committees were set up before special events to discuss matters that needed to be attended to. “The municipality commits to support the NAF in any way it can so Scifest Africa is not moved to another city.”