Poor events planning leads to death, disorder

Crowd control and human traffic flow patterns were proven to be tragically lacking back at Ellis Park, when many lives were lost and now not for the first time but with the very worst of disasters once again - the loss of life and many injured - it is repeated at the University of Johannesburg's student registration day.

There are laws that ensure these situations do not happen. Were these rules applied? Commented Errol Ninow CMP of Alex Gintan, "Let's not mince our words on this matter, because if it were the case that the legal protocols, as required by Act 2 of 2010, were followed, the next question this raises is the level of professionalism applied to the planning and rubber stamping thereof.

"The usual excuses"

"With a last year's history at this same venue, dealing with the same crowd control problems, surely the level of expertise should have been appropriate to this occasion. Sadly, in the face of the facts and now a death, something was lacking. We will hear the usual excuses, all boiling down to 'unfortunate', 'unforeseen' and no one to blame or accept responsibility, which is unforgivable."

Whether this was caused by the short lead times, following matric results or off-campus scuffles to get through the UJ gates - the ramifications for the academic institution in the weeks ahead are not good. In fact, it is likely that UJ's time will be spent on many other issues besides sorting out the new student intake.

Invites not co-ordinated

It was all happening in Bloemfontein at the ANC centenary, certainly from the amount of media coverage, sound bites and televising of the masses, everyone who was anyone appeared to have been invited, even your average nobody was there.

Or were they? Was Ronnie Kasrils singled out for special attention for a variety of political reasons when he did not get an invitation or more likely a casualty of suspect meeting/events management, resulting in questionable protocols being applied?

Here we have a stalwart of the ANC movement in so many roles that go back to MK, exile and cabinet minister in the new ANC government and he didn't get an invitation? Less than proficient planning can cause so many lasting negative effects. Undoing what has been done is some challenge. Unless the authorities decide to ignore the lack of basic courtesy in this instance, which will undoubtedly fuel a flame of rumour, surely a public apology will follow.

The CMP Network supports South African CMPs (Certified Meeting Professionals), a designation that distinguishes an individual as a career professional who has demonstrated a high level of experience, skills and knowledge.