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Buffalo City sees green as ruling party splashes out

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Seeing green: The ANC’s birthday is behind the boom in business.
Seeing green: The ANC’s birthday is behind the boom in business.

Buffalo City Metro is expecting businesses to rake in millions of rands thanks to the ANC birthday celebrations which started last weekend.

Municipal spokesperson Samkelo Ngwenya said business was booming for everyone, from small traders to formal business owners.

Thousands of ANC loyalists from all over the country flocked to the city to celebrate the ruling party’s 106th birthday.

Since this was probably the biggest event the metro would host this year, it was no surprise that accommodation quickly ran out.

On Saturday, newly elected party President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered his maiden speech to an estimated 200 000 at the party’s January 8 statement event in East London.

According to Ngwenya, a number of car rental businesses at the East London Airport brought in more cars to meet the demand.

He said at least 62 Mercedes-Benzes and 26 Audis were rented at the weekend.

South African Airways added more flights to its schedule to accommodate the large number of visitors.

Some hotels and bed and breakfast inns had been booked for the entire week as dignitaries took time out of their schedules to soak in the city’s attractions.

Business owners, senior government officials and members of the ANC’s national executive committee were attending the historic event, which took place barely a month after they gathered in Johannesburg for the ANC’s 54th national elective conference where new leaders were elected.

“People booked accommodation in faraway towns like Port Alfred and Chintsa because the inns and hotels around the city were fully booked.

“But some Buffalo City residents opened up their homes and offered their houses and flats as accommodation

“We were expecting over 200 000 people.

“That should tell you the kind of demand we had,” he said.

However, some of the home owners charged exorbitant fees, with one three-bedroomed house going for R5 500 a day.

When City Press asked Ngwenya about the ridiculously high prices some of the people were renting out their homes for, Ngwenya said this was something they had no control over.

“Someone was offering a flat at the city centre for R300 a day.

“Another one down the road was going for four times that amount.

“But the nature of accommodation means the price is negotiated and is not really regulated.

“We advised people to shop around town and compare prices before they commit.

“After all, no one is forced to pay such ridiculous amounts,” he said.

Ngwenya said traders, including hawkers who sold fruit and sweets, made lots of money.

“The city has never seen an event of this magnitude.”

He said the metro’s biggest concern was ensuring the safety of its visitors.

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