Get ready for Africa’s Biggest Cultural Festival!
Cape Town Street Parade, in partnership with the City of Cape Town, the Western Cape Government and Coca Cola (Peninsula Beverages), again promises a world class event on January 2 2019 for the residents of Cape Town and for visitors to the Mother City.
Previously known as the Tweede Nuwe Jaar Minstrel Parade, the organisers of the new format Cape Town Street Parade have worked to build an inclusive carnival for everyone who participates in it and who support it – its stakeholders, communities and all cultures and religions.
Minstrel troupes from all areas across Cape Town will perform in the streets of the city centre between Keizersgracht Street in District Six and Rose Street in the Bo Kaap, building on the long tradition and legacy of Tweede Nuwe Jaar which has been celebrated in the Cape for over 110 years.
“Last year we saw the best Tweede Nuwe Jaar celebrations that Cape Town has seen in many years. This year we will build on that success and look forward to a spectacular community event that is the biggest cultural event in Africa. We are encouraged by the large number of troupes that have already registered for 2019, and we expect at least 50 troupes to participate on the day,” says Muneeb Gambeno, Director of the Kaapse Klopse Karnival Association (KKKA), organisers of the Cape Town Street Parade.
Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, and Social Services, Alderman JP Smith, says the City is proud to be one of the sponsors of the celebrations: “This is a key cultural event for all the residents of Cape Town, and the well organised event that we saw last year made great strides in developing this into an iconic event that rivals some of the greatest street parades in the world. The event draws a diversity of cultures from across the city. It is recognised globally as being synonymous with Cape Town alongside Table Mountain.”
For the second year, a special Tweede Nuwe Jaar theme song has been produced for the celebrations, and this year, the song titled “It’s a Cape Town thing, n Kaapse ding!” is sung by local artist Shadley Schroeder. The song can be heard on the 2018 highlights video which can be viewed on the Cape Town Street Parade’s Facebook page, and it will be performed as part of the entertainment on the Grand Parade.
Entertainment starts from 12pm, with an opening ceremony on the Grand Parade at around 1pm and celebrations will continue up until 10pm.
The event expects to draw crowds of between 60 000 and 100 000 people, with the live entertainment including artists such as the legendary Loukmaan Adams, TDV.91 and other live bands, and Waseef Piekaan will perform MC duties.
Street acts include Street Activations, Football Freestylers, Khoisan Plasterz – Freestyle Dance Crew, Thandi Swartbooi Township Dance Academy, 7 Steps Drumline, 20Sk8 Skate Development and the Bo-Kaap Blikkie Band. Audiences will enjoy a Life-size Puppet and can participate in Live Mural Painting with Russel Abrahams and Yay Abe.
There will be limited Gold Circle Tickets going on sale just before Christmas for R100 a ticket. This area will allow patrons the best views of the Minstrels and is positioned right in front of the Coke Gig Rig where live acts play on the day. Follow on Cape Town Street Parade social media for news of the release date of these tickets.
All troupes are required to register with the KKKA by December 21 and can contact Dennis Petersen on [email protected] or 072 145 1597.