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Absorbed in thought, Amy Carr, left, and Freeya Musgrave admire the Christmas light display at Victoria Road Park near the beachfront. The display features a little Christmas house for children to play in. Picture: Marilyn Bernard
Magical castles, glowing Santas and fairytale characters: these are just some of the fantasy scenes lighting up parts of Durban this Christmas for families, young and old, to explore.
Durban’s traditional Christmas lights will also finally light up the city centre this weekend after being delayed by two weeks. But just what they will look like is a secret until the switch-on.
Craig Smith, acting senior manager at the eThekwini municipality, said only that it would be a Christmas theme.
“We always strive as far as possible to install new features (depending on complexity of design and budget), but occasionally we reuse certain items in good condition.”
The lights have started being installed in Dr Pixley KaSeme (West) and Dr Yusuf Dadoo (Grey) streets, but will only be completed in time for the switch on, on Sunday.
Smith said the delays were due to the import of specific lighting cables and other materials, as well as inclement weather. The municipality imported most of those using LED (light emitting diode) as there was no local manufacturer of them, he said, adding that LEDs were lower in energy consumption.
“We have already switched on the park display in Victoria Park in Boscombe Place on the Durban beachfront. In previous years, we also installed a decorative display at the entrance to KwaMashu, Umlazi and Clermont, but due to vandalism and theft of the electrical infrastructure, we decided not to reinstate this, this year.”
The display in Victoria Park is made up of flamingos, castles, dolphins and others which are more Christmas-oriented. Apart from a glowing Nativity scene, children will also be delighted by a little Christmas house.
The Kloof and Highway SPCA will also delight with its Christmas lights and fantasy garden, which includes cartoon characters like Peter Pan and Papa Smurf.
