Bloemfontein’s vibrancy is well known, but as the city enters its busy event season, residents, neighbourhood associations, and community policing forums (CPFs) near popular venues have raised concerns about rising noise levels and safety after dark.
This past weekend (5/9–7/9) marked the beginning of major festivals to take place in the city. Noise levels after midnight into the early morning hours left residents from Wilgehof, Universitas, Willows, Dan Pienaar, Brandwag, Pellisier, and Fichardtpark in distress. Residents who shared their experiences on a community social media platform were encouraged to lodge a formal complaint with the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality (MMM).
DA Ward 23 councillor Tjaart van der Walt conducted a poll among residents to assess the impact of noise levels during the recent festival. “A community poll of 95 residents found that 89% described the noise after midnight as either extremely loud – preventing sleep – or very disturbing,” he said. “No respondents indicated they were unaware of the noise, and sound level readings confirmed that the festival breached both by-law requirements and its published programme.”
Although the event was scheduled to end at midnight, music reportedly continued until between 02:00 and 05:00 on several nights. Van der Walt noted that noise and overcrowding have been persistent challenges in the area for years, but said the metro has recently begun prioritising these concerns. He urged residents to follow formal complaint procedures to ensure issues are addressed constructively.
“No one has copied me in an email complaining in eleven years,” he said. “If something affects your quality of life, you must take action. It doesn’t help to complain on a WhatsApp group – and that applies to general household complaints as well.”
In response, head of Mangaung’s department of community services Dr Thabang Thinda said the event organiser applied for exemption for an open music festival, which was in line with Section 13, Noise Control By-law No. 38 of 19 July 2019.
He explained that it is the event organiser’s responsibility to ensure that loudspeakers are elevated and tilted in a way that allows sound to be absorbed by patrons. Speakers must be positioned in a way not to project sound toward surrounding residential properties.
“It is understandable that at an event of such magnitude and considering the openness of the venue, the event noise may easily be dispersed with very little absorption by intended attendees. The municipality will be embarking on the review of its by-laws, including the Noise Control By-law.”
Van der Walt acknowledged that the festival was a once-off occasion, but voiced concern over ongoing disturbances in surrounding areas such as Westdene and Willows, which he described as “constantly buzzing with activity.”
“These disturbances occur every weekend and often on weeknights, regularly continuing into the early morning hours,” he said. “They’ve been documented in multiple neighbourhood group chats and reported by residents. The failure to address these establishments has created a chronic nuisance, eroded residents’ quality of life, and set a dangerous precedent – one where municipal by-laws are not enforced consistently.”
Lehlohonolo Mokhothu from the Parkroad CPF echoed this sentiment by highlighting their concern for safety in these areas. He said festivals and events have exposed vulnerabilities, with underage high school students accessing venues and facing robbery, rape, and kidnappings.
“The safety of patrons, especially students, in areas like Willows, Brandwag, and Universitas, is paramount. Tragic incidents, including student deaths and assaults at nightlife venues, underscore the urgent need for stronger safety measures and collaboration with initiatives like Business Against Crime to address these challenges.”
The CPF therefore conducts regular checks on liquor outlets to enforce licensing and safety standards, especially on busy weekends. They engage with venue owners and patrons to promote responsible practices. Through collaboration with SAPS and private security to monitor high-risk areas like the CBD and Westdene during peak hours, the CPF is able to establish which areas require more focus.
Gypseenia Lion
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