Long Street in full cheer (Pic: Chris Fick)
Bafana Bafana may be in the ‘group of death’ but if the World Cup leads to more parties like Long Street last night, who cares? We have proven that Cape Town really knows how to put on a good show, both at the CTICC and in the streets. Long Street (and town as a whole) last night was an amazing experience: up to 100 000 people on the streets (about 50 000 in Long Street alone); only five minor incidents, and all cleaned up by 7.00 the next morning, thanks to well-organised City and CCID cleansing teams. Bring on the 2010 Fan Fest on the Grand Parade and the Fan Walk from the CT Station to the Stadium!
With the Partnership's deputy CE, Bulelwa Ngewana (Pic: Caron von Zeil)
Long Street party warming up (Pic: Caron von Zeil)
(Pic: Chris Fick)
(Pic: Chris Fick)
(Pic: Cleon Romano)
With Muneeb Hendricks, head of CCID Security (Pic: Chris Fick)
More pictures on FIFA website
Hi Andrew:
A simple question: Considering the fantastic vibe we experienced in Long Street on Friday – is there any realistic chance of permanently closing of upper long street for motor vehicles? Like our own Bourbon Street?
I personally think that this is the way to go with Upper Long Street. The City of Cape Town has been researching the possibility of putting in place a transit mall in Upper Long St linked to the forthcoming BRT system, i.e. public transport and pedestrians, no motor vehicles, but no decisions have been reached in this regard. It would need quite a bit of consultation with the Long Street stakeholders and the transport planners. Hopefully we’ll get more news in the New Year
I think the City will seriously need to reconsider and perhaps rethink the level of demand expected at the Grand Parade Fan Park come 2010. Especially after 50,000 descended on Long Street, while only 15,000 was expected.
If not already planned, several screens along the Fan Mile and in the streets connecting Long Street, Greenmarket Square etc. will be needed to entertain the masses who will descend on the CBD. This along with security, toilets and other crowd control measures.
The biggest risk will be underestimating the demand.