Show fireworks slated for Thursday
On Thursday at 20:00, a firework display of about 10 minutes will take place at the showgrounds to officially open the Windhoek Agricultural Show.Although animal protection associations have objected to the display, according to the municipality and the show association, no laws or rules are being broken.
In 2008, when the phase 3 expansion of the Maerua shopping centre began, the managing director of the Windhoek Show, Harald Schmidt, said the fireworks would no longer be fired because the intended buildings would be closer than 100 meters from the Windhoek showgrounds, and according to the law, no fireworks may be fired within 100 meters of buildings.
While municipal spokesperson Lydia Amutenya says the law has not changed, the fireworks will be set off on Thursday within the framework and limitations of the existing law. “They have permission from the Namibian police's explosives unit to put on a fireworks display. The local authority conducted a site inspection of the Windhoek Show and certified the area as safe.
“The nearest building structure on the site of the show is approximately 400 meters from the firing site. This means Maerua Mall is even further away from the firing site and will not be affected by the display of fireworks.
“All other buildings and roads in the vicinity of the showground are more than the required 200 meters from the firing site and the distances comply with the explosives regulation. A radius of approximately 100m has been demarcated from the firing site, to keep the public viewing the exhibition at a safe distance.
“The company that delivers the fireworks display meets all conditions as stipulated by law and has the blessing of the municipality. The complaints from animal protection associations are not covered under the legal provision,” she said.
The Namibian Animal Welfare Association (NAWA) committee issued a statement in which they condemned the fireworks. They also have a petition against the fireworks on their Facebook page.
“Fireworks may be beautiful to look at, but the horrors and fears they instil in the animals nearby are anything but beautiful. Frightened animals are more likely to run away which means they get lost or can be hit by a car.
“Fireworks are not only risky for our pets, but also for other animals like birds, squirrels, small mammals, butterflies and fish. These animals, startled by loud noises, can become so confused and disoriented from fear that they may fly or run against trees, walls, windows or electrical cables.
“Another negative consequence is that the remains of fireworks contain chemicals and other toxic substances that are harmful to animals if ingested and have a devastating impact on the environment.
However, Schmidt says everything is within the law and only a strong wind can pose a danger. “The pyrotechnician we hired is professional and if he says the wind is a problem, we will follow his recommendation. We have permission and the show association believes that after two years of Covid and no show, everyone can find enjoyment in a fireworks display, be entertained and forget about their problems, if only for a few minutes.
“Thunder continues for much longer than 10 minutes and the dogs are also frightened by it and run away. People know the firework display will happen on Thursday at 20:00 and they can take precautions and ensure that their animals are safe.”