SIBULELE MTONGANA & MARK CARRELS
The Sunshine Life Centre’s carnival was a resounding success, attracting a staggering 9,000 paying customers over two days, far surpassing organiser Hyman van Zyl’s initial estimate of 7,000 attendees.
The second edition of the Sunshine Carnival at the Port Alfred Hospital Fields kicked off with much fanfare under clear skies and warm conditions on Friday. The flow of people to the carnival that has captured the imagination of local communities was initially at a trickle, after gates opened at 10am but after local folk had finished work commitments the crowds flocked to the fairground.
Friday was set aside for children who are under the care of different NGOs and NPOs in the town. And it was mostly excited children who enjoyed various rides on Tea Cups, the Super slide, the Jedi 360 and ever popular, Ferris Wheel. Sales at the various market stalls started slowly but picked up later as patrons filed in. The entertainment continued late in to the night until Saturday to 10pm and everyone had fun as the colourful carnival atmosphere lit up the night sky.
The event’s popularity was a testament to the centre’s dedication to the community and its partnership with Fun for You organisers. The carnival has become a significant contributor to the life centre’s funding, with last year’s event generating a substantial portion of the centre’s annual funding. In fact, the carnival’s impact was so significant that it contributed to a quarter of the life centre’s funding for the entire year.
This year, the partnership with Fun for You led to the gifting of 150 children with vouchers for free entry and rides, with 135 children benefiting from the initiative. The event was made possible through collaborations with various sponsors, including the Royal St Andrews Hotel, which provided transportation for the children, Pick n Pay, which gifted lucky packets, and local vendor Spice n Ice, which provided meals for the children.
Hyman extended his gratitude to key individuals and organisations, including Stewart Furstenburg from CDR, who handled technical and electrical issues. Ward Councillor Nadine Haynes played a crucial role in ensuring the event’s smooth operation, particularly with regard to organising change for entries. Hyman also thanked Fun for You for their instrumental role in making the carnival a success and all sponsors and donors ensuring the success of the carnival. He especially thanked his hardworking Sunshine events team.
The Sunshine Life Centre’s mission is empower individuals through education and skills training. Van Zyl emphasised the importance of helping others, stating that poverty is a result of society hurting people and not caring anymore. With the carnival’s success, Hyman is eager to explore future opportunities for growth and collaboration, further solidifying the centre’s position as a vital resource for the community. The event’s impact will be felt for months to come, as the Sunshine Life Centre continues to make a difference in the Ndlambe community.
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This article was first published in Talk of the Town, May 1, 2025. The newspaper serving the communities of Ndlambe and the Sunshine Coast, with a weekly wrap of Makhanda news, is available at stores from early on Thursdays.
