In keeping with this year’s “We Love Africa” theme for the annual Festival of Lights, the City of Cape Town’s Special Star competition is all about embracing what is wonderful about being African.
Children between the ages of six and 14 are invited to submit an entry, describing why they love living in Africa. Four Special Stars will be randomly chosen from the entries received and will have the opportunity to help Mayor Patricia De Lille switch on Cape Town’s famous festive lights on Sunday 6 December 2015.
“This festive season we want to promote inclusiveness in Cape Town, which is why we’ve chosen the We Love Africa theme. We may have different backgrounds and cultures but we are all Africans. Through our Special Stars competition, we want to hear from the next generation. We want our children to tell us what they love about living in Africa,” says Mayor De Lille.
The City of Cape Town’s renowned annual Festival of Lights celebration in the Cape Town Central City officially marks the start of the summer holiday season. Says Chief Operating Officer, Tasso Evangelinos, of the Cape Town Central City Improvement District (CCID): “For the CBD, the switching on of Cape Town’s festive lights represents for us what we want the Central City to be: a place first and foremost for all Capetonians to enjoy. If you’ve never been to the CBD to see this event, we really invite everyone from far and wide to experience it.”
The closing date for competition entries is Wednesday 2 December 2015. The details are as follows:
- The competition is open to all children from six to 14 years of age
- Entrants must describe why they love living in Africa, in up to 50 words
- Entrants must include their name, age, physical address and contact number
- No late entries will be accepted
- Entries must be e-mailed to: weloveafrica@espAfrika.com
Children who do not have access to a computer or the internet can make use of the City’s SmartCape computers that are found in more than 100 libraries across the city to email their entries. These facilities provide residents with free access to the internet for up to 45 minutes a day (depending on the demand at the time).
The four winners will join Mayor De Lille on stage for the official switch-on of the lights at 20:30 on 6 December 2015 at the Grand Parade. Each child will receive an official certificate confirming their Special Star status and will also have the opportunity to have their photograph taken with Mayor De Lille (and possibly an artist or two).