The National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) has voiced strong objections to the planned slaughter of 10 oxen during Freedom Day celebrations at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth.
The prevention of cruelty to animals organisation contended on Thursday the slaughter was organised because a city councillor wanted people who were ignorant of traditional customs to learn more about them.
It added a newspaper report quoted the councillor as saying that the slaughter of the oxen was included in the main list of events for St Georges Park.
Sacrificing an animal was an inherent part of the African culture, the NSCPA said. It had deep significance which would be lost when the killing was staged for alleged ”educational” purposes.
”The bringing of 10 live oxen to the stadium during an extravaganza that includes a live concert with PJ Powers and Pitch Black Afro belittles the sacrificial ritual to the level of cheap entertainment.”
The NSCPA said the killing of animals was not entertainment in the African culture.
”The NSPCA considers this whole exercise foolhardy, and strongly urges that it does not proceed,” the organisation said in a statement.
It said it was worried about the loading, transportation and off-loading of the oxen, and about where they would be kept until the time of the slaughter.
”St Georges Park is in a built-up area. The sounds of preparation for the Freedom Day celebrations at the stadium plus the noise levels from the expected 20 000 people attending in addition to the decibels of the concert are not conducive to the humane treatment of any animal… not an appropriate environment.”
Slaughtering an animal in a traditional manner involved suffering and pain. The effect this could have on young or sensitive people in the crowd was another matter of concern, the NSPCA said.
”The deaths will be violent and far from educating persons unfamiliar with ritual slaughter, this will serve to shock — and cannot be justified as African traditional slaughter.”
The NSPCA added: ”This is degrading the meaningful ritual and reducing it to base entertainment. It cannot be justified on any grounds.” – Sapa