The Glitzy or disaster Durban July?

 

 

Ok! Let me first introduce what the Durban July is to all of you who are clearly still stuck in the Elizabethan era. WAKE UP!! The Durban July is a South African thoroughbred horse race held annually on the first Saturday of July since 1897 at Greyville Race course in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. The Durban July is more than just a horse race the event is on Durban’s social calendar. Its a major tourism card for KwaZulu-Natal.The whos-who in South Arica's social circles and "wannabes" get together to bet on through-bred race horse. The theme has become very important over the years, making a platform for designers to showcase their best designs. Even though the event lasts a couple of minutes, preparing for the glitzy and glamorous society event took months of meticulous planning*wheew*

www.Durban-July.org.

Now, for why I am here* cues Debra voice* when planning an event timing is very important, and preparing for unseen circumstances. When preparing for a horse race the weather either breaks or makes the party. The timing of the Durban July this year was questionable. It’s a tradition, yes, for the event to be held on the first Saturday of July. But, a big BUT you can’t be on some come rain come sun shine this event will happen, without having a back-up plan. The weather was not on the coordinate’s side.  After heavy rainfall the tracks were muddy, that even the Horseracing Authorities raised their concerns. You would think that after tragedies involving Rabiya and Big-city-Life in 2005 & 2011, they would have sealed the tracks by now. Mean even the ladies stilettoes were getting stuck in the mud, NO! With our world icon NelsonMandela (I must admit I love the man) fighting for his life in hospital at the same time, the event didn’t get as much publicity. Journalists were camping outside his hospital and would have broken in if it wasn’t breaking the law. He made headlines for weeks in every newspaper and you can guess which page the social made it in, but wasn’t the first. Talk about bad timing.

www.Durban-.July.org.

As a PRP finding a date and time suitable for your event is always a difficulty. What may be great timing for you and your organising team may clash with other major events, like the Durban July clashing with Madiba’s unfortunate health failure. A PRP must use a calendar to check that there is no clash of dates; beware of public holidays and religious festivals. Look at alternative dates to ensure VIP attendance and no clash of dates, makes your event stand out. Another DO for a PRP is planning for contingency. Plan as far as possible for any contingencies, for example wet weather which the PRP of the Durban July should have done! Always have a backup plan!!