Times Of Swaziland: ONLY 2-3HRS ALLOWED FOR CROSSOVER EVENTS

ONLY 2-3HRS ALLOWED FOR CROSSOVER EVENTS
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BY SETSABILE NKAMBULE on 30/12/2021 08:44:00


MBABANE – “Crossover events are allowed but only for two to three hours.”
This was confirmed by Deputy Government Spokesperson, Thabile Mdluli, in an
interview with the publication yesterday. According to Mdluli, the reason
government took the decision was to curb the spread of COVID-19. She said the
regulations were not meant to frustrate people, but rather to contain an
escalating health situation which required the public to be responsible. “The
regulations are very clear on how we should gather. For example, under Adjusted
Risk Level One, religious gatherings should not exceed three hours. What this
means is that people can have church services but not all night services, as
long as they adhere to COVID-19 precautions.
Likewise, in terms of the regulations, entertainment events should be outdoors
and for not more than 500 people, for a period not exceeding two and a half
hours. What is important is for people to adhere to COVID-19 regulations and to
always remember that we are currently in the middle of the fourth wave of the
pandemic,” she said.
Compliance
Mdluli requested that, activities taking place on New Year’s Eve, should be
done in full compliance with COVID-19 regulations as stipulated under Adjusted
Risk Level One. She advised people not to be in the wrong side of the law but
rather enjoy their events while following the law. Chief Police Information and
Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati advised the public to
enjoy their New Year’s Eve celebrations while following the rules and
regulations placed by government. She stated that the public would only have 30
minutes after midnight to set off fireworks.
“We will be vigilant in ensuring that people follow the regulations. We do
want people to enjoy and welcome the new year with great energies but with that
said, their way of celebrating should not break any law or inconvenience anyone
.We will be monitoring if everyone is adhering to the rules and anyone found
breaking the law will be taken into custody,” she said. She extended well
wishes for the new year, to the public. “We wish for the new year to bring
better health, stability and prosperity to everyone. May the Lord shower
everyone with blessings as we enter into the new year,” she said. There were
mixed reactions to Mdluli’s statement.
While some pastors were excited about government’s decision, other people
expressed that the time stipulated was short and needed to be reviewed. In an
interview with this publication, some pastors expressed that it was good news
for them as the sermons they hosted on New Year’s Eve were their way of
setting their mood for the new year. They said they believed that in order for
them to have a good year, they had to join together with other Christians in
prayer.
According to Pastor Themba Ngozo, from Ngogodla Alliance Church, the decision
made by government was exciting to them as they had been worried that they would
not celebrate New year’s Eve in ways they were used to.  He said it would have
been hard for them to change a tradition which they had been doing for many
years.
“We promise to adhere to the regulations and time put in place for us. This is
because we, as Christians, need these services as they are our fuel for the
coming year. It is pivotal to have these prayers as the year 2021 was not a good
one for a lot of us and as a result we need to gather and pray that 2022 be good
to us,” he said.
Excitement
Pastor Jan Dube from the Walk by Faith Church concurred with Ngozo. He expressed
his excitement with the decision. He said it was important for Christians to
gather and pray at that time of the year to set a good tone for the following
year. Dube mentioned that the gatherings were also important in order to pray
for the country and its economy. “This year has been proof that we need
God’s protection and guidance. We need to ask God for protection and for him
to help the country go back to its normal state. This is a Christian country,
which means that we are aware of the need for God’s intervention. Allowing us
to host these sermons will help us with all that,” he said.
Pastor Sipho Nkambule extended his appreciation to government for not destroying
a tradition which, according to him, was placed by Christians in order for them
to have a great entry to the following year. “We have families that we need to
ask God to protect. It is not that we do not pray at home, but gathering on New
Year’s Eve has been a tradition for us as Christians,” he said.  Some event
organisers who opted to remain anonymous stated that adhering to that decision
was impossible for them as two hours was very little time. They said this was
government’s way of intentionally spoiling people’s nights. “This is a
joke. Who would take their time to pay artists, call people to attend a show
which will only last two hours. It will be really interesting to see how all
this will unfold,” they said.