Tens of thousands of people descended on Simon’s Town this past weekend for the SA Navy Festival which returned after a 7-year absence, but not everyone had a good time.
While the start of the festival on Friday seemed to go off without a hitch, it soon became clear on Saturday afternoon that neither the roads nor Metrorail could handle the sheer volume of festival goers.
Additional trains to Simon’s Town quickly became jam-packed, with people waiting in long queues just to board. There were reports of packed train platforms and people just turning around and leaving.
The City’s traffic services urged people by Saturday afternoon to avoid the area if they could, as people were stuck in traffic for hours in the heat, with cars queuing from Muizenberg at one stage.
At the main entrance to the Naval base, visitors poured into the narrow gates, after initially queuing in the hot sun for hours.
Part of the concern was that there weren’t enough Navy personnel on site to let people in, and only two single doorways were used.
One festival-goer, Janine Bothma, wrote on social media that this was their first Navy festival, but would also be their last:
‘Was such a disaster. People have no respect for others, adult should be examples to kids as how to Q and how to respect others. People pushed on but the 100’s, eventually the people opened up the barriers themselves and that’s where it just went to absolute S@#! I felt sorry for all the kids that was pushed around and that became a very dangerous situation to be in. We decided to leave. Not worth fights or risking your safety.’
Henry Fortuin was also not happy:
‘The ball was dropped by The Navy, badly planned, Prasa did not keep to there promises, and the city on to little my city buses. We waited for 40 minutes on St James station. Train stopped at Fish Hoek, then waited 45 minutes for train to Simonstown. My City buses about 6 buses. At the Navy base two doors to enter through. After 15 minutes my wife and I went home. Thank you to the people of Cape Town, lekker spirit. This has the potential to become a plus for our city.’
Many had travelled quite a distance to experience this branch of the SANDF up close.
Fiona van Zyl from Tableview had a more generous take on the festival:
‘We drove from Tableview, Sat in traffic two and half hours. Lucky to get parking close by. Yes they had challenges but over all we enjoyed the Ships, with preservarance and patients at the same time. we had a great experience. We’ll done to The SA Navy. thank you so much for opening up to us. We hope to see you again in the near future.’
Helena Durler, says their experience on Sunday was much better than the day before:
‘We came back to the Navy festival, and a huge big thumbs up and thank you to the navy. Lessons was learnt yesterday and this morning was a breeze in the park, we are in and my daughter is next inline to go onto the submarine. All smiles. I have no doubt that it will be busy today and there will be lines, but, but a far better and nicer experience with more staff assisting.’
Despite many of the negative reviews on social media, the Chief of the Navy, Vice Admiral Monde Lobese, thanked everyone who came in their thousands to support them:
“To all of the people of Cape Town who have gathered in their thousands to come and attend today’s Right of Entry Parade, as well as the festival itself, I would like say thank you for your support over the years.”
@unklethobzandstuff | People got tired of waiting in the heat for nothing 🤧 #navyfestival2024
@mrunexpected1 POV: after 5 years the navy festival is open and the way to go till there was unorganised by metrorail📍👀 #navyfestival #fyp
Coming into the Navy festival is complete chaos🤦🏽♂️ #navyfestival pic.twitter.com/0JAQpQICLs
— Just Justin (@just_justin021) October 5, 2024
Tremendous support for the Navy Festival. Thank you @sanavyfestival for the collaboration 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/8VA4jClsvP
— Raymond Maseko (@rmaseko) October 6, 2024
