Rain puts damper on children's joy

Rain had the last laugh when Clowns Without Borders in Durban planned to bring joy to children in the city by putting red noses statues.

The wet weather left a damp frown on the clowns’ faces.

“It was slippery. The rain made it difficult for us to go ahead with what we had planned for the day,” said Clowns Without Borders SA co-ordinator Sibongile Tsoanyane.

Organised by Clowns Without Borders International, which was celebrating its 20 year anniversary and also the 25th year anniversary of the Child Right Convention, twelve other countries participated in cities such as Paris, New York, Munich, Stockholm and in many other sections of the world.

The day’s proceeding, which was to adorn statues of revered and renowned individuals with the red noses, was scheduled to take place throughout the day but according to Tsoanyane she and four other clowns, ended up spending less than three hours out in town.

 “We only managed to put up for red noses on four different statues. People walking past seemed interested at what we were doing, but because of the rain they couldn’t stop to watch and also participate,” said the disappointed co-ordinator.

 Security guards in the vicinity questioned if the clowns had permission to put the red noses, but allowed them to carry on after they were informed that the mayor had given them the go ahead.

“The security guards ended up being our only audience as they laughed at what we were doing,” said Tsoanyane.