By Celani Sikhakhane
• Newcastle’s annual spring horse race brought visitors and income to local traders as the city searches for new ways to grow its economy.
• Newcastle Mayor Xolani Dube said small businesses, informal traders, designers and hospitality workers benefited from the influx of visitors to the event.
Newcastle is turning to horse racing to help bring money back into a city hit hard by the decline of its steel and textile industries.
The city hosted the third Newcastle Grand Annual Spring Horserace at Drycut Open Field on Saturday.
The event brought visitors into Newcastle and gave local businesses, informal traders and workers a chance to make money.
Newcastle Mayor Xolani Dube said the event formed part of the city’s vision of building an economically vibrant city.
“The event delivered on its promise to stimulate local economic activity, promote tourism and attract investment,” Dube said.
“Small businesses, informal traders, designers and hospitality workers all benefited from the influx of visitors, while young people found temporary employment across events, security and hospitality.”
Vendor Thembisile Mdlalose said the event helped businesses earn more money.
She said the horse racing gave traders hope that they could start the summer season on a positive note.
The boost comes at an important time for Newcastle.
The city has struggled because of difficult global and local economic conditions.
Newcastle has historically depended heavily on steel and textile manufacturing. The decline of these industries has put pressure on the local economy and threatened jobs.
ArcelorMittal’s steel operations have also faced multi billion rand losses because of falling global and local demand, high electricity costs and transport problems.
The uncertainty and scaling down of heavy industrial operations threaten thousands of direct jobs as well as jobs linked to logistics and engineering.
The loss of jobs has also created problems for the municipality because fewer employed residents are able to contribute to the city’s income as ratepayers.
Events such as the Newcastle Grand Annual Spring Horserace are now being used to bring visitors into the area and create opportunities for businesses.
For traders such as Mdlalose, the event offered something badly needed after Newcastle’s economic difficulties: customers and a chance to earn more money.
Pictured above: The Newcastle Grand Annual Spring Horserace brought visitors and business opportunities to a city hit by the decline of steel and textile manufacturing.
Image source: City of Newcastle.
