The South African Events Council (SAEC) has welcomed the decision by the Gauteng High Court last week to allow the Huntex Exhibition to go ahead in July.
It is reportedly the biggest firearms and hunting show in Africa and it has received the green light from the High Court to operate at 50% venue capacity.
“This win sets a welcome precedent and while it in no way allows others to operate in the same context, it shows that, with ongoing pressure, we CAN successfully amend the regulations,” said SAEC Chairperson, Ellen Oosthuizen.
She said the Council was fighting to retain the headway it had made towards re-opening the events industry before the losses suffered reach a point of no return.
According to her, the African Association of Exhibition Organisers, in partnership with the Exhibition and Event Association of Southern Africa, is now leading an industry move to liaise with the government via its legal team, Mabuza Attorneys.
“The associations sent a legal letter to Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, to establish a reasonable and workable solution for permitted capacities and recognise business events as organised, professional and controlled meetings. The Minister's legal team has acknowledged receipt of this letter, and we look forward to finalising a meeting date,” she said.
Oosthuizen pointed out that, for 14 months, the associations that make up the SA Events Council had collaborated on various measures to reopen the industry.
“We have developed a stringent set of reopening guidelines, sent scores of lobbying letters and hosted in-person, proof-of-concept events to show what is possible. We have also conducted awareness campaigns, hosted webinars, organised radio and television Interviews, provided information sessions and engaged with the various relevant government entities in person.”
Two-pronged approach
SAEC's ongoing governmental engagement employs a two-pronged approach with Council representation in both groups. One team is working closely with the Department of Tourism and the SA National Convention Bureau to reopen business events.
The other, the Ministerial Advisory Team (MAT), reports directly to the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture and serves the broader live and sporting events. “The MAT is involved in finding solutions to general industry issues such as our industry members' inability to pay rentals, school fees or loans and the lack of financial and wellness support,” explained Oosthuizen.
“Despite our efforts, business events are still limited to an impractical indoor capacity of 250, whilst shopping centres and markets cater for many more, with no issues whatsoever. We need to fast-track a practical reopening solution with urgency, but with the current focus on the vaccination roll-out and the increasing infection rate, our efforts are again on hold.”
