Holiday season opens with a bang

BANG! Bang! The distinctive sound of fireworks exploding and rocketing into the perfect night sky coupled with their spectacular kaleidoscope of colours bursting above the sea provided magic at the opening of the holiday season last night.

An estimated 40000 people flocked to the Nelson Mandela Bay beachfront for the official opening, many of them having persevered through bumperto-bumper traffic.

And they said it was worth it as, for about 20 minutes, the sky was painted bright and spectacular by the fireworks launched from the vicinity of Shark Rock Pier at Hobie Beach.

"This is awesome. It's amazing," Johannesburg visitor Eloise van der Westhuizen said. " We do not have such fireworks displays in Gauteng. Definitely I will be back."

Mzukisi Mamba, of Mthatha, said it was the first time he had seen such a spectacular display of fireworks set off in such quick succession. "This is the party of the year," Mamba said

Nathan Lawson, of Johannesburg, said: "Port Elizabeth rocks."

Yorkie van Rooyen, of Despatch, said he and his family felt safe.

"It was very lively.

"My family and I enjoyed ourselves – it was a job well done," Van Rooyen said.

Meanwhile, hundreds of revellers took to the dance floor, ready to party the night away.

National hip-hop artist AKA and Port Elizabeth's best DJs entertained in a tent.

The festive atmosphere spilled over as taxi commuters danced in the streets while drivers waited patiently for traffic to flow normally.

Darren Mungur, project manager for the Soul Good Event Summer Season, said: "The show was more theatrical than previously and tied in well with the theme of our 20 years of democracy."

Police had their hands full as they confiscated alcohol. In at least one case, officers emptied the drink into a bin to the dismay of the lawbreakers. - Hendrick Mphande