They accused the circus of animal cruelty and exploitation and made it their mission to discourage locals to attend the shows that was held from Thursday, October 19 to Saturday, October 21. The organisations, Helping All Animals in Rural Towns (HAART), the Centre for Animal Rehabilitation and Education, and Phalaborwa Animal Welfare, visited schools and businesses in the week prior to the shows to educate them on the dangers of using animals as entertainment.

The three organisations also protested on all three days outside the Impala Park Stadium where the circus pitched their tent. They were also joined by local residents. They also received support from national organisations such as Ban Animal Trading and Beauty Without Cruelty SA. “We are against the use of animals in circuses. “Many countries no longer use animals in circuses and as a result, we feel very strongly that there is no need to use animals any longer as a form of entertainment,” said Sam Keegan, founder of HAART.

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“The most successful circus in the world is Cirque Soleil and they have no animals and create more jobs for people by demonstrating people with unique talents,” he explained. Keegan believes that animals deserve to be free and should be released to a sanctuary. “Animals that are kept in cages are affected mentally and psychologically and this has a huge detrimental effect on their wellbeing,” he said. In 2018 the circus was scheduled to take place in Hoedspruit, but Keegan and others protested against the event and eventually, the show was cancelled.

The current leg of shows started in Lydenburg before they visited Phalaborwa last week. McClaren was also in Tzaneen earlier this week. McLaren states on their posters that they have a high standard of animal care and that all animals receive love and care. “We consult with vets throughout South Africa to maintain high standards. Careful attention is paid to all our animal diets. They are all exercised on a daily basis and receive various forms of stimulation through training and environmental enrichment,” the circus poster states. The Herald contacted McLaren Circus for comment but at the time of going to print no response was received.