Cape Town - Visitors both local and foreign lined the streets in Cape Town’s CBD, some as early as New Year’s Eve to ensure they secured the best view under the baking Cape sun, for the return of the Cape Town Street Parade or “Tweede Nuwe Jaar” celebrations.
Hours before the minstrels were expected to march down the gazebo-lined streets, families and friends poured in, carrying cooler boxers, umbrellas, and other protection and comforts against the summer sun.
The event looked markedly different, following a partnership with Hollywoodbets and rebranding to the Hollywoodbets Cape Town Street Parade, with a Grand Stand and Golden Circle for 800 people at the Grand Parade, who had bought their R120 tickets via Computicket.
The front of the City Hall was the focus of local entertainment as part of the opening ceremony, ahead of the parade.
The colourfully clad troupes began marching after 1pm, starting in Hanover Street in District Six, snaking their way through to the Bo-Kaap.
Kraaifontein resident Ismail Davids said: “I’m very excited because it’s been nearly three years that we didn’t have any minstrels and to see them again, which is our culture. We will enjoy it. There’s no two ways about it.”
Davids said the set-up was great but there was a need for more gazebos as many who purchased a Golden Circle ticket were left in the scorching sun.
Lentegeur resident Franteca Antonio was joined by 12 to 15 family members.
“My son was 10 when he started, he’s 19 now and my daughter is four years now in the klopse and she’s 15.
“For us, it’s an exciting thing because during Covid-19 we couldn’t have it but now we’re so glad we can go on and practise our culture.”
Belhar resident Charles Hendricks, 70, said he brought his 50-year-old wife, who had never seen the minstrels perform before.
“It is a tradition of the Cape and is part of the Khoi and San, Malay, and means freedom.
“This is a very important event because if you look at history, you will see the slaves were freed on this day and they sang and danced and that is why this will always be remembered.”
Kaapse Klopse Karnival Association director Muneeb Gambeno said the design of the route began on Friday, however organisers had been working around the clock for two months.
He said 26 troupes were part of the event. Before the pandemic, there were about 48.
“It’s not the full complement that we always have but we understand that it’s because of Covid-19 and its ravaging effects. Our attitude is, the troupes that exist, they are here today, all of them and we will use this carnival to regroup.”
Gambeno said there were about 20000 participating minstrel members.
He said the event cost around R6.5 million minus branding and other expenses.
Crowds were kept entertained by local acts before the wave of hundreds of klopse filled the streets.
Deputy mayor Eddie Andrews joined in, leading the first troupe, the Original D6 Hanover Minstrels.
Andrews said the City has locked itself into a three-year partnership to support the event, one of the City’s biggest funded events, with about R17m over the next three years.
Original D6 Hanover Minstrels supporter Erin Andrews, 20, said: “I know that the D6 troupe has 700 people marching, ages range from small children to older tannies and uncles. So I’m very excited and keen to be here today.”
Some minstrel members could be seen marching and carrying sleeping toddlers as music from trumpets, trombones, banjos, saxophones, drums, and other instruments played vociferously.
shakirah.thebus@inl.co.za