While the Cape Flats was pik donker during load shedding on Saturday night, Green Point was lit as the annual Cape Town Carnival took place.
This year, the theme was Vuka Ukhanye- Arise and Shine, and people took it to heart.
Cape Town Mayor Dan Plato welcomed about 55 000 revellers who packed Somerset Road as they came to see the giant floats parading down the main road.
Spectators saw 14 moving sculptures, floats and puppets and about 2500 dancers hailing from all over Cape Town.
Drummers and marching bands also took part in the festivities.
Ghalieb Fisher, from Woodstock, brought his daughter and her friends to the carnival.
“We love the atmosphere at this carnival. It’s simply amazing how it all comes together. I also met a lot of old friends here so the night was perfect,” she said.
Tourists Shama Pioche, Ophelie Catteau and Mawena Gean joined Cape Town’s Adolf Papsch for their first time at the carnival.
“Cape Town is such a beautiful place during the day and this parade adds so much to the beauty,” said an awed Shama.
The Juvie Boys minstrels team joined the parade in their bright lime, pink and purple gear, with Wayne McKay and Baydu Adams voor innie koor for this klopse jol.
As usual Cape Town’s topless firemen sent temperatures soaring, and even allowed the ladies to rub baby oil on lekker lywe.
venecia.america@inl.co.za