The Dundee July is only a few days away, so where is the hype and the excitement? I was surprised when recently a commuter asked me when this year’s Dundee July is.
Having lived in Durban my whole childhood, the Durban July is one of the highlights of the year and everyone knows when it’s happening. Learners would get excited about bumping into famous celebrities at Musgrave or Gateway Malls.
Young women looked forward to a weekend of crazy partying, and the seniors get excited about betting and hoping their chosen horse brings in some money. The whole town would be abuzz from the beginning of the month, and it was known July was out of the ordinary.
Without any doubt, blessees knew blessers from all over the country would be flocking to Durban, just as they will probably be flocking to Dundee soon. The two prestigious events are not only about horse riding, but rather about the VIPs who attend the events, the fashion show, the models and of course, the after-parties. Many come to the Dundee July, to see which jockey is crowned the best and which famous artists will entertain the crowds.
Businessmen attract women with their wallets, and spend money on expensive alcohol served at marquees. Hostesses in skimpy clothing walk around as if they don’t feel the cold. I always feel so sorry for them – I mean, who walks around half-naked in windy July weather?
Residents forget the Dundee July is about bringing in money into our town, boosting tourism and, of course, watching horses as they gallop along the race track. The focus should not only be on the high noise levels in the evenings, the stabbings or the unbearable traffic.
Don’t get me wrong. I am not saying those things should not be taken into account, but let us look at the beauty of the event, bringing different people from different walks of life together in a single event. I must admit though, the Dundee July is becoming more and more exciting, as sponsors bring in more money, to make the event more enjoyable.
Let us, as a community, come together in support of the event. Let us celebrate this one day, where all can watch horse racing and party together. So much planning is put into this one event, and one only realises this when they have been part of the planning committee.
There are many shortcomings faced by the planning committee, which spectators will never get to see. This in itself should prove that when stakeholders and sponsors come together, nothing is impossible. Go out there and enjoy the Dundee July, while it’s still free to enter. Who knows, maybe one day we’ll have to pay just to enter the gate at the race course.
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