BARRIER BREAKER FESTIVAL 2005 REVIEW

SMILING FACES ARE HALLMARK OF BB FESTIVAL

“I’ve never experienced such a happy and friendly festival before.” This was the general consensus of the people who attended the first BB (Barrier Breaker) Festival which took place at the University of Johannesburg Sports Grounds on Saturday, 26 November.

Despite pouring rain the night before and ominous heavy clouds early in the morning, nothing could put a dampener on the festivities. By mid-morning the sun was shining and at the end of the day there were many red, but smiling, faces around.

Among the numerous highlights of the many novel events which took place during the day was the presence of the South African disabled rugby team who impressed spectators with their amazing skills playing rugby in wheelchairs.

The Scouts Obstacle Course proved to be a wonderful success providing not only thrills for the participating teams from corporates and from the Scouts, but great spectator value with the team from Total Sports taking the laurels as the first Scout Challenge champions.

Spectators were also in awe of the ability of Kilimanjaro King Bernie Goosen to overcome obstacles as he manoeuvred around the specially constructed Mini Kili in his one-of-a-kind wheelchair. And the really brave at heart had an opportunity to try their hand at a very elementary obstacle course under the watchful eye of this remarkable man and his assistant.

Those who wanted to get a feel for a wheelchair, but preferred the safety of a level, grass-covered rugby field, had an opportunity to participate in the Hope School-organised slalom course for beginners. And most expressed extreme surprise at how difficult it was to move around.

But, definitely the most memorable event was the mass balloon release which marked the end of the day’s activities. All visitors were provided with helium-filled balloons before they took their places along the outline of a 60m x 40m drawing of the APD logo on one of the rugby fields. As a plane with skydivers flew overhead, the colourful balloons were released. A few minutes later the skydivers made quite a dramatic entrance and, in the process of landing, secured some wonderful prizes - which ranged from holiday getaways to meal vouchers - for some of the lucky visitors.

The festival was truly a day of good clean fun for the whole family. Bargain hunters found Christmas gifts a plenty at the various stalls and, after some serious shopping, they could relax under the trees and enjoy any of the wide variety of refreshments that was on offer.

The children had a ball! Apart from enjoying the precision dancers’ performance, having their faces painted, making the most of the fun fair and bumboarding, they also had the opportunity to meet some of their favourite characters – like Simba the Lion and Chicki as well as new kid on the block, BB.

After the event APD Chairperson Patrick Mabunda expressed his delight at the success of the day’s activities - which were in keeping with the barrier-breaking, overcoming obstacles and building bridges theme. “I thank all the people for their wonderful support. I believe that this festival will grow in years to come, attracting more and more people, and becoming a premier annual event on the Johannesburg ‘what’s on’ calendar.”

The Barrier Breaker campaign is a celebration in honour of the thousands of people with physical disabilities who face and overcome obstacles every day of their lives – the real barrier breakers.

If you missed the festival, you can still support the BB Campaign by participating in the SMS campaign aimed at setting a world record and in the process spreading goodwill. Just click on “How To Participate” for full details.

“South Africans are a caring nation. Often they want to show support and make a difference, but they just don’t know how. What could be simpler than sending an SMS?” says Mabunda.

ALL PROCEEDS IN AID OF PEOPLE WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES