Online Reporter
JOHANNESBURG. – International music sensation, Chris Brown, will be thrilling Mzansi fans when he performs at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg this weekend.
Since the news broke in September that the superstar would be coming to South Africa on December 14 and 15, the streets have been buzzing from excitement and there has been some backlash. Taking place at FNB Stadium, there have been safety concerns raised by concert goers who are wary about the area around the venue.
Organisers, Big Concerts, in response to a comment asking if security would be beefed up at the venue and its surrounding areas, assured that safety was a “top priority”.
“Hi there! We absolutely have. Your safety is always our top priority. Kindly note we’ve taken many precautions to ensure a safe and secure experience for all patrons,” read the comment.
“The venue is fully equipped with visible security throughout the premises, and we’ve added extra lighting to illuminate the outer stadium areas. We’re committed to providing a high level of safety and security for all attendees.”
The Johannesburg stadium is no stranger to hosting international events.
In 2018, the ‘Global Citizen Festival: Mandela’ drew thousands of people to witness global and local artists perform at the stadium but ended on a bitter note for some after getting robbed at a nearby petrol station while awaiting transportation.
In an email to concert goers, Big Concerts also mentioned that there would be a security presence in place within the FNB Stadium with the SA Police Service, parking security, pedestrian security and crime prevention marshals on duty monitoring everyone coming into the precinct.
Big Concerts advised concert goers to plan their journeys and allow for extra travel time, arrive early to avoid queues, and traffic congestion. When travelling to the venue people have the following options available; Park-and-Ride, the Gautrain, there is available parking or can use E-hailing and Drop-and-Go. A temporary Park-and-Ride station will be set up within a short walking distance from the stadium entrance.
Staff and security will be deployed to assist passengers on arrival and departure.
Park-and-Ride tickets are available on Ticketmaster. The ticket will include return transport and includes free, undercover parking at all departure points. The first buses will depart from the above points at 3pm and the last bus will depart promptly at 5pm. The last bus will depart from FNB Stadium at 10.30pm.
The dedicated E-hailing and Drop-and-Go area off Nasrec will be monitored by security and will be illuminated to ensure the safety of patrons in this area.
Gates will open at 4pm and the supporting artist, which is yet to be revealed, will be on stage at 7pm and Chris Brown will take to the stage at 8pm. – IOLEntertainment.com
daniel chigunwe
