Free State (FS) premier, Sisi Ntombela, announced Friday the cancellation of Macufe in October and Flower Festival, saying that the budget will be used to fight the spread of the coronavirus in the drought-stricken province, which has 7 cases of the virus so far.
“We took a decision that all big activities are going to be cancelled. I thought this thing is going to take us two to three months and I realised that it can take us the whole year,” Ntombela said.
Confirmed overall national numbers of South Africas infected with COVID-19 now stand at 240.
The FS government has also cancelled all national holiday events, including the June 16 commemoration and Women’s Month celebrations in August.
The budget will be redirected to offset the costs of gloves, sanitisers, and water provision in informal settlements.
From sporting events to the Cape Town International Jazz Festival, and the ZCC annual Moria pilgrimage, Macufe joins a roaster of major events cancelled across the country due to the coronavirus outbreak.
