By Francis Tsawayo WINDHOEK With a month to go before Namibia attempts to break the world record in hosting the World’s Biggest Braai, the organisers and sponsors are more than prepared for the challenge. Confirmation was made at a preliminary tour held at the Sam Nujoma Stadium, where the record attempt will be made on September 9. “Together with our sponsors, namely, Meatco, Trustco Group, Renaissance Health Medical Aid Fund and Coca-Cola, the organiser InterAct FCB and Sindana Communications, we are confident we will break the record Australia holds,” said Berverly Jandrell, Director of Sindana Communications. A special recipe for the braaiwors was also tested at the tour. It was also revealed by Alan Brough of InterAct FCB that Meatco has prepared over 50 000 pieces of the wors that measure 17.5 cm each and at a combined distance of 8.5 km will be specially made for the event. TransNamib Holdings are keen to support the event and have offered to run the “World’s Biggest Braai Train” for the week of the event. The train will allow people from the North to come to attend the event in Windhoek. Although details are being finalised, these trains will be run at a discounted fare that will include a ticket to the event. Transport has been arranged with the Windhoek municipality who will provide 15 buses running on 12 bus routes. “Bus rides will be for free and will work on a stop and drop rotation system. Trustco will also provide buses to ferry the old from the old people’s homes and the children from children’s homes and orphanages,” Brough informed. The planned bus routes are: – Okuryangava Route (Women Center, Ombili, Hakahana) – Goreangab Route (Evellien Street, Monte Christo, Otjomuise, Augustineum School, CCN, Soweto Market) – Robert Mugabe Route (Robert Mugabe, all bus stops. Centaurus High School, Hidas Shopping Centre, Eros Girls School) – And all the normal Katutura routes. During the tour, the organisers were happy to note that security and safety issues had been concluded. The organisers, together with the Namibian Police, City Police, City Traffic Department, Disaster Management Services and the Emed Rescue 24 are confident that every participant’s safety will be adequately taken care of. Safety measures prescribed for the day include: – Everyone will be searched for dangerous weapons and firearms before they enter the turnstiles. – No alcohol or alcoholic products will be allowed into the stadium, or will be on sale at the event. – Visitors will not be allowed to bring cooler boxes, chairs or picnic baskets into the stadium. – Anyone under the influence of alcohol or other chemical substances would not be allowed into the stadium. – More than 200 uniformed staff will be on duty – in the queuing system, in the stadium, and in the entertainment area. – All emergency services departments and their staff will be on duty and standby should they be needed. Apart from the listed precautions, the organisers said that control barriers were going to be employed to improve the flow of traffic and to avoid congestion and once people leave the stadium they would not be allowed back in. The stadium is not going to be short of entertainment as two stages have been prepared with the main stage moved to the eastern side within the stadium. Outside will be the second entertainment area were 10 community vendors will have their stalls, and the Legal Shield fun games will also be on. Those performing will join Stefan Ludik and the cast of Egoli in signing autographs at this second entertainment area. Though over 40 entertainers have been approached so far, half have confirmed their attendance but more are expected. According to the Country Demand Creation Manager for Coca-Cola Pieter Krugel, all the tents and Mobi-cans and over 50 000 branded cups are ready for the big day. “Like always, we are prepared to be part of every big meal,” he added. “We are busy finalising the scope of the event and we are definitely ready and confident,” the senior manager of PricewaterhouseCoopers Cornell Dreyer said with optimism. “We are geared up, our cameras are ready to roll and will be here for the action,” said the Director Operations Waldheim Shiluwa.