SOUTH AFRICA - Cape Town - 12 March 2020 - South African Creative and Operations Director of eYami Fashion and Lifestyle Andiswa Mdletye showing her work at the AFI Cape Town Fashion Show .photographer:Phando Jikelo/African News Agency(ANA)
African Fashion International (AFI) has made the decision to call the final day of AFI Fashion Week in Cape Town. Due to the threat of the spread of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), AFI is adhering to the guidelines proposed by the World Health Organisation (WHO), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and our own Department of Health.
While the event organisers of AFI Fashion Week, and the host venue CTICC, have placed all necessary precautions to ensure the health and safety of participants at this year’s event, Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe (Founder and Executive Chairperson of AFI) believes that it is our collective responsibility to contain the spread of the disease, and advises others to remain cautious – but not paranoid.
These local and international guidelines state, among other things, that we maintain at least one metre of distance from each other, avoid large crowds, and practice respiratory hygiene by avoiding the touching of shared surfaces. By the morning of Saturday, 14 March 2020, South Africa recorded 24 cases of Coronavirus.
In light of this decision, AFI is continuing with the shows to ensure that the designers are able to showcase their collections. These shows will be hosted without guests and can be viewed online through AFI social networks.
This decision affects fashion shows only, AFI Masterclass will still take place as scheduled at 13:30, 14 March 2020.
