WITH Diwali and Guy Fawkes Night looming on the horizon, firework fans and anti-firework activists are squaring up for the explosive debate that flares up around this time every year.
The great firework divide separating these two passionate factions can seem unbridgeable and yet, this year, good communication has succeeded in building bridges. After sitting down together the pro- and anti-firework factions have reached some acceptable compromises.
It is the really big bangs that fire up most of the antagonism during the firework season. Anti-firework activists point out that loud – and illegal – explosions traumatise and can cause injury to the elderly, young children, pets and wild creatures. Although legislation exists to regulate the buying, selling and use of fireworks, the laws and bylaws are difficult to police and are often not enforced. This has led to a number of organisations calling for an outright ban on fireworks.
The pro-firework lobby, which tends to look at anti-firework activists as killjoys, also has some relevant arguments. Many people believe that the responsible use of fireworks need not have negative consequences. Fireworks are also very much part of the the traditional celebrations surrouding Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights. Is it fair to ask a religious or cultural group to discard a much-loved tradition?
It was the religious aspect of the firework debate that fuelled a public outcry when Umtentweni Ratepayers Forum declared Umtentweni a firework-free zone. The announcement was greeted with dismay by the Hindu members of the Umtentweni community. Last week, the forum’s chairman. Leila Edwards, convened an urgent meeting between her organisation, the Umtentweni Conservancy and The Hindu Cultural Federation.
“There was honest, open discussion and debate on the use and misuse of fireworks in Umtentweni,” she said.
Umtentweni Conservancy chairman Alex Skene spoke about the impact of the big bangs on the wildlife in Umtentweni’s environmentally sensitive areas. Leaders of the Hindu Cultural Federation provided input on the Diwali celebrations and the significance of the use of Fireworks.
“The Umtentweni Ratepayers’ Forum regrets the public outcry. It was not our intention to offend any individual organisation or group within our community. As chairman of The Umtentweni Ratepayers’ Forum, I apologised to the Hindu Community for any offence,” Ms Edwards pointed out.
After stating their case those at the meeting were able to come to an agreement.
“We understand that Diwali is held over seven days and we respects the rights of every Hindu to celebrate this auspicious occasion. Also noting the concerns of environmentalists, we all agreed that fireworks will be allowed on November 2, 3 and 4, from sunset to 11pm. The use of fireworks will be illegal and punishable by law in Umtentweni at any other time,” she said.
Ms Edwards urged people not to set off the illegal big bangs.
The effect of fireworks on the South Coast’s wildlife has long been a concern for Marion Brooke. This year, she decided to contact the Wild Coast Sun Hotel and Casino Resort and to express her concern about the resort’s use of fireworks as part of various celebrations.
She was thrilled with the very positive response she received from Sonja Stroud, a member of the resort’s environmental management team and was most impressed with the efforts and the attitude of the management of the Wild Coast Sun.
“The environmental management committee has investigated the matter and a number of controls will be implemented,” Ms Stroud said.
Conference groups would no longer be able to choose their own firework companies. Instead, Wild Coast Sun would provide a list of approved firework companies from which conference groups could choose. The Wild Coast Sun would ensure that the selected companies used environmentally friendly displays that included no loud bangs.
“Only close proximity pyrotechnics, indoor pyrotechnics, outdoor and indoor laser shows, firework fountains and confetti canons will be allowed. Other techniques that have low noise levels such as whistling and swishing sounds may be considered. Pyro-musical firework displays will not be allowed nor will any firework displays that use shells,” she said.
She hoped these measures would keep the customers happy – and the wildlife safe.
