The Green Market Square area has been suffering economically as many have steered away from it to avoid any violence that may spring up between the refugees who were camping in the area and authorities. Now, the City of Cape Town is trying to come up with ways to help revitalise the area.
The City has announced, in conjunction with the Cape Town Central City Improvement (CCID) as well as businesses in the area, that it will have a host of free concerts and activities to draw people back.
The first in a series of events will be hosted this Thursday, March 5. A free concert will feature live performances by Jonathan Rubain with Don Vino and Candice Thornton as well as The Kiffness featuring Matthew Gold. It will also include a mass Salsa class on the Square. Thursday’s event starts at 5pm on Greenmarket Square and ends at 10pm.
“The City has taken note of concerns raised by businesses in and around the Greenmarket Square about a dip in their turnover. The Square is one of the oldest venues in the country and is a significant tourism hub that also benefits local arts and crafts traders,” said Mayco Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith. “It is the City’s responsibility to ensure that we create an environment that enables business and events in Cape Town to grow, which means job opportunities for residents.
“We believe having these events over the coming weeks will revitalise the Square and return confidence in one of the oldest and historic Cape Town venues. We would like to encourage residents to come out to enjoy the live music and interact in a safe space. We also want to urge organisers to take their events to Greenmarket Square,” added Smith.
“40 on Burg Hotel wholeheartedly welcomes this fantastic event which the City of Cape Town is so graciously hosting. This shows the indomitable spirit of the City Central Trading district. We look forward to attending the free concert and event on Green Market Square, and fully support more initiatives like this in the future,” said General Manager, Tosca Korver.
“ONOMO Hotel Cape Town Inn on the Square is proud to be associated with the City of Cape Town and is grateful to be part of a Rainbow Nation dedicated to celebrating the historical revival of the Green Market Square, setting a new norm and building a positive future for our beloved Cape Town’s City Central Trading District,” said General Manager Mynhardt Dejongh.
Picture: Twitter