Yes, We Can Make a Difference is the rallying cry for the 2nd Proudly Knysna Festival which starts on Friday 2 July and runs until Sunday 11 July as part of the Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival, at the Knysna Secondary School in the suburb of Hornlee.

Ralph Stander, festival founder, wants to instil a sense of pride in all the people of Knysna and says: “This festival goes a long way to restoring the pride and dignity of all the people of Knysna”. This event draws in the broader community thus making it inclusive.

Festival attendees can pit their skills against the local expertise of proudly South African games like klawerjas with pool, darts and dominoes thrown into the mix. Or enjoy a fabulous evening with Joe Barber at the Gala Dinner on Friday 9 July.

Two ‘sons’ of Knysna, former Western Cape MEC for Education, Cameron Dugmore and Mr I O January, former headmaster of Knysna Secondary School, fully support the changing face of Knysna. Both men are involved in initiatives that will leave a legacy long after the festival. Mr January launches the I O January Education Trust. Mr Dugmore is a speaker at the Past Pupils Association Conference – a project initiated by Proudly Knysna Secondary and the Old York Union; the Department of Basic Education supports this initiative.

Knysna is a golfer’s paradise. The Proudly Knysna Golf Day is on Sunday 4 July at the Knysna Golf Course - coordinated by IGT Golf Tournaments. The SA Black Golfers Association will be launched at the Knysna Secondary
School on Saturday 3 July 2010. Its purpose is for black golfers to present a united front at all levels of golf, e.g. Club, regional, provincial, National Golf Union and even PGA.

The festival is not only about fun and games as The March Against Crime/Peace March takes place on Saturday 3rd July. According to Ralph Stander: “If we don’t raise awareness of crime, Knysna will not continue to be the jewel in the crown of the Garden Route. Our communities are taking to the streets to march against crime to demonstrate to the criminal elements the depth of opposition and rejection of their activities and show Knysna’s commitment to peace and unity.”

Festival-goers are in for a treat with jazz and gospel music on offer. Local radio station Eden FM will broadcast live from the school and will host their hot to trot stofpad dance. There will be a funfair and stalls.

Knysna Tourism and Friends of Eden fully support this important event.

The 10-day festival programme can be downloaded at: www.proudlyknysna.co.za

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Ralph Stander or Esmeralda Botha on:
Tel: 044 385 0165
Mobile: 072 836 8124
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Websites:
www.friendsofeden.co.za
www.proudlyknysna.co.za
Proudly Knysna Golf Day. For information and registration please log
onto: http://www.igtgolf.org/index.php/knysna-golf-festival
______________________________________________________________
EDITOR’S NOTES
The vision and mission of the Proudly Knysna constitution is as follows:
The Vision is:
“Building a vibrant, proud and dignified Knysna through creating
opportunities.”

MISSION
The following mission statement will serve to further guide the organisation:
• The strengthening of family values to boost the moral fibre of our community.
• Building a value system that the residents can identify with.
• Create infrastructure and opportunities whereby the whole community can benefit.
• Integrating the work of all stakeholders to ensure the effective implementation and sustainability of Proudly Knysna.
• Build strong and focused community organisations and sectors.
• Setting up of a communications network to ensure the smooth flow of information sharing.
• Ensuring the effective utilisation, co-ordination and distribution of all types of resources through conducting an audit of all our resources in the community.
• To serve as a vehicle for economic empowerment, creation of employment and education/training opportunities and the ability to generate an income.
• Individual organisations that cooperate with Proudly Knysna will be accountable to the programme of Proudly Knysna.