I am pleased to note that the tender number SCM 384/S for the hosting of the Splash Festival was finally awarded to Go Big Events on 5 March 2012.
My 16 year old daughter had the following to say in her most sarcastic tone; “Wow, but the Splash Festival is next month, how not intelligent of them. They should win a Noddy Badge!” – out of the mouths of babes!
Easter this year is from 6 to 9 April – which gives Go Big 31 days to put Port Elizabeth’s premier summer event together FOR THE FIRST TIME.
When I compare the 31 days of planning left for the Splash Festival with the months of planning that has gone into the Boardwalk Hobie 16 Nationals at the end of April 2012 I begin to feel extreme anxiety for these new kids on the block.
I sincerely hope that the bumbling fools at the Metro have NOT set up Go Big for a spectacular fall by only granting them the right to host the event a mere 31 days before it is supposed to take place.
For 21 years the Splash Festival was hosted by Magnetic Storm and then in later years they hosted the event in partnership with Zports and Frontier Events. We have seen that residents are particularly resistant to change – we stayed away our droves when the Splash Festival was moved to the harbour.
I am aware that even with 21 years experience Magnetic Storm started planning for the next Splash Festival 12 months in advance.
I would like to ask the Nelson Mandela Bay Communications department just how they expect Go Big to put this event together within 31 days, BUT, that hard working and vital department, populated with employees that work for a pittance seems to have chosen to ignore me and any questions I pose.
Maybe Roland Williams, Kupido Baron et al will deign to inform the public via the comments section below?
Alan Straton
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Zports are pleased to say that we will be managing the beach and water sport events for the 2012 Splash Festival. Granted it’s not going to be easy throwing together the beach and water sport component of Africa’s largest 4-day festival in 3 weeks but at least we have the experience of the past 3 years to help us.
Righting the wrong: For the last 3 years, Magnetic Storm, Zports and Frontier Events hosted the Splash Festival in it’s entirety. For the first 18 years Magnetic Storm did the logistics only.
Splash was hosted by Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism for the first 18 years
I am so happy to know where my rates & taxes are going – straight into some one’s back pocket AGAIN. Is this going to be a repeat of that stupid music fest that flopped so magically. Just another way to milk the cash cow. Once again – fodder for the masses. Who is benefitting from this idiotic decision – there are always bribes involved in issues like this. The powers that be cannot be so brain dead – surely? Aah – perhaps it is for those in the municipality who receive a pittance for the long hours they put in? A just reward from the tax payers – given happily so that our metro can be run even further into the ground. Can the Splash now before it is too late.
Alan & Guest, why soooo negative. Not all municipal employees are stupid and greedy. Lets give Go Big a break. I agree that Magnetic Storm has done a good job, but they have also had problems behind the scene that the public does not know about! They were not perfect when they started and required alot from the municipal staff. I am looking forward to a great splash! Go GO BIG and Zports:-)
Val
Please read this paragraph again: “When I compare the 31 days of planning left for the Splash Festival with the months of planning that has gone into the Boardwalk Hobie 16 Nationals at the end of April 2012 I begin to feel extreme anxiety for these new kids on the block.”
I am certainly not knocking Go Big and am only questioning why the municipality thinks that an event of this magnitude can be planned and executed in 31 DAYS?
What were the powers that be doing between the end of Splash in 2011 and 5 March 2012?
If they say they were sorting out the tender document then I have to once again ask; “If it takes nearly a year to ‘sort out’ the tender documents then how can the municipality expect Go Big to implement the event in 31 DAYS?”
Granted there are good municipal employees and the question goes as follows; “Are they so minute in number that they are unable to overcome the evil and incompetence?”
“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” Normally attributed to Edmund Burke but disputed as such.
Now this will truly be an eye opener….
Good luck Go Big, hope that you can exceed our expectations – Magnetic Storm have done an awesome job and we have become accustomed to a great standard at the Splash Festival. Magnetic Storm are always so organised and it will be really sad to see them go. Lets hope that Go Big have budgeted correctly and that Go Big doesn’t become Go Small!
We tried to get a stand at the festival, no reply from from NMMM carry on I don’t think you can do it. Just claim lack of skills. I can’t put the logistics together in 3 weeks. Good Luck Big Event carry on without me