United as a rainbow nation

Madam – I read your article on the Newcastle colour vandals being busted with slight amusement.

The show committee intends to unite the community as a rainbow nation but whoever is responsible for putting up the Newcastle Show Bill Boards on the light poles in town is definitely conscious of colour or race and oblivious to this intention.

If one drives along Allen Street and Harding Street it would appear that the highlights of this year’s show are only on May 1 and May 2. If you drive further into Lennoxton then only will you notice the board advertising the Bollywood Night.

Is this not stereotyping the community? Do the community who will appreciate the Bollywood Night only live in Lennoxton and not the other suburbs in town? Are the highlights on May 1 and 2 not appealing to the community living in Lennoxton, hence the lack of these boards in these areas?

This year is the first year that this has occurred. So, whoever was responsible, take off your rose tinted glasses and see the community as the Rainbow Nation we are. Let us all share the beauty of the rainbow from wherever we live.

I am I looking forward to the Colour Hour where we can celebrate being part of this beautiful Rainbow Nation

NOT COLOUR BLIND

Response from Vodacom Newcastle Winter Festival:

Dear Anonymous

We are looking forward to seeing you at the Colour Hour on the Saturday (and every other day as well).

Posters on lamp posts are but one way of creating awareness in the community and for many years we have placed posters strategically in certain areas. The Pareto principle of 80/20 applies and it is a pity that you read a non-existing sublime message in it.

Our features over the past number of weeks in the Newcastle Advertiser, our media partner (where you are obviously part of the target market), the traditional hand-out at strategic intersections, our marketing at Newcastle Mall, our web site (https://www.winterfestival.co.za), school groups programme, balanced entertainment and arena programme and the R200 000 given back in 2014 to a diverse rainbow group of beneficiary organisations fortunately contradicts the assumption made in your letter.

The Festival Committee endeavours to cater for all and we invite you to come “C da Change” at the 2015 Festival.

Festival Greetings, Hennie Pelser (Project Manager 2015).