WWF-SA’s Earth Hour event to be held in Durban
2012/03/28
This year WWF-SA’s official Earth Hour event is set to take place in Durban at 8:30pm on Saturday, 31 March, at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
The organisation’s Executive Manager for Communication and Marketing, Zubair Sayed, says “Earth Hour is a global celebration of what we can achieve when we all act together. This year, for the first time, Durban will host WWF-SA’s Earth Hour, where the Memorial Tower Building at the University of KwaZulu-Natal will stand in darkness, joining some of the world’s most famous man-made marvels and natural wonders as they switch off for Earth Hour.”
“This was an obvious choice for us following COP 17 being held in Durban last year, where UKZN hosted Civil Society during the climate change talks. The Memorial Tower Building is a Durban landmark and is visible from many parts of the city, so we hope that residents across the city will be able to witness the switch-off at 8:30pm,” Sayed adds.
Dubbed ‘King of the Zulu guitar’, legendary South African musician Madala Kunene will play a candlelit concert together with Vishen Kemraj (tabla) and Mduduzi Magwaza (pennywhistle). A firedancer will light up the night, performing for invited guests, the media and members of the public.
Another first for WWF-SA’s Earth Hour is the support received by organisers of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF), espAfrika. Festival Director, Rashid Lombard says, “There is a crucial need for people to reduce their dependence on the planet’s energy resources in order to ensure a sustainable future for humankind. Earth Hour draws our attention to this fact, and therefore, starting this year, we will use the CTIJF as a platform to raise awareness for this important campaign and help communicate its message.” WWF’s Earth Hour message will be screened at 8:30pm on the Kippies and Moses Molelekwa stages, and again at 9:15pm on Basil “Manenberg” Coetzee and Bassline stages.
Sayed says, “Earth Hour creates awareness about a host of environmental issues and can also inspire positive action for the environment on a permanent basis. This year’s I Will If You Will platform provides an opportunity for individuals, businesses, organisations and government to challenge each other to take action beyond the hour.”For more information about Earth Hour and the I Will If You Will platform and challenges please visit www.earthhour.org.za and check out the WWF-SA Facebook page at www.facebook.com/WWFSA.
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