In 66 days, American musician Chris Brown will perform at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg. Fans are extremely excited for the Breezy in South Africa, which sold out in hours, prompting organizers to obtain a second date.
South Africans are excited about the event, but many are also concerned about the safety of the FNB Stadium.
The Johannesburg stadium has hosted numerous international events. In 2018, hundreds of people attended the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela to see international and local artists perform at the stadium.
While the performances were electrifying, many people recall what happened after the concert. At the time, 15 people were arrested and 50 cases were opened after scores of revellers were robbed of their cellphones and attacked at a nearby gas station while waiting for lifts, e-hailing rides, and transportation out of the area.
It is worth noting that the same location has since hosted other concerts, with no replay of the Global Citizen Festival event, which left revellers under siege.
Preparing for the worst
South African citizens are taking extra precautions for the upcoming Breezy event, which is expected to attract approximately 90,000 attendees.
TikTok user thuso_malik advised that the first rule of the concert is to leave your iPhone at home and instead bring your Android phone.
Not everyone can leave their phones behind, nor does everyone have a spare Android phone worth sacrificing, but there are steps you can do to avoid theft.
Chris Brown concert survival tips
Take a little bag, such as a moonbag or a waist bag, that can be worn over your body rather than dangling from your arms.
Bring a fully charged and dependable power bank; you’ll be snapping pictures and videos throughout the event, and the last thing anyone wants is a low battery when they need to seek an e-hailing ride home.
Organisers have established a Park and taxi service from malls across Johannesburg for a fee, eliminating the stress of having to take an e-hailing taxi from the performance venue, which is guaranteed to cost more.
For the Park and Ride, you must purchase a ticket through the official TicketMaster website. This allows you to travel to and from the venue without interruption and avoids those nasty price increases on e-hailing apps following the event.
Travel in groups to the concert; there is safety in numbers, and accompany one another to stalls and restrooms.
Someone should always know where you are. Because the FNB Stadium is so large, it is critical to keep track of all important exits and security staff.
One must remain cautious at all times, hydrate, and drink sensibly if indulging in alcohol while attending the show.