The Mayor, Cllr James Nxumalo, Councillors and staff of eThekwini Municipality wishes all Hindu residents a blessed and peaceful Diwali which will be celebrated on 22 and 23 October 2014.
Nxumalo said: “We encourage all citizens to embrace and celebrate our cultural diversity and heritage. It is one of the key strategic focus areas of the City’s Integrated Development Plan that makes our city unique, vibrant and exciting.”
As we approach the festive season, the Municipality would like to also remind residents to use fireworks responsibly, be considerate of the neighbours and animals and to dispose of the fireworks appropriately, in the black bin bags.
Municipal bylaw guidelines allow for fireworks to be set off during the day and into the night on Guy Fawkes and Diwali day; and from 23h45 on December 31 until 00h15 of the New Year. However there are conditions that residents need to adhere to.
Low-hazard fireworks, such as fountains, lawn lights and sparkles can be lit in private homes. Fireworks such as air bombs, supersonic bangs, sound shells, fountain whistles and screeches are prohibited as they cause a disturbance and are a nuisance to the neighbours.
The guidelines also call for children under 16 years of age to be properly supervised by an adult when letting off fireworks. Fireworks should be detonated far from hospitals, clinics, old age/nursing homes, animal welfare and petrol stations.
