Welcome to Klops Town!
A young member of the All Star Entertainers minstrel group dancing for crowds. Photo: Phando Jikelo/African News Agency(ANA) A young member of the All Star Entertainers minstrel group dancing for crowds. Photo: Phando Jikelo/African News Agency(ANA)
The Kaapse biggest jol, the Cape Town Street Parade, is ommie draai and promises to be bigger and better than before.
The annual klopse road march on 2 January, aka Tweede Nuwe Jaar, is brought to you by the Kaapse Klopse Karnival Association (KKKA) in partnership with Coca-Cola, the Western Cape Government and the City of Cape Town.
The new upgraded CTSP features a few kwaai changes, notably the inclusion of the Grand Parade in Darling Street on the traditional route from Keizer- gracht Street (District Six) to Rose Street (Bo-Kaap).
The Parade will be jol central where a Coke Gig Rig will be set up.
Other highlights include a brand-new Tweede Nuwe Jaar theme song.
Munier Robertson of the Young Woodstock Starlights troupe belts it out. Photo: Ian Landsberg/African News Agency (ANA)
Muneeb Gambeno, director of the KKKA, expects a spectacular show with at least 50 minstrel troupes taking part.
“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,” he says.
“Based on feedback, we will be making full use of the Grand Parade and the procession will loop its way onto the Parade in order to create a festival atmosphere and allow more people access to watching it.
“The Coke Gig Rig will be set up for entertainment and a big screen will ensure as many people as possible are able to see. For this reason, there will be no gazebos allowed on the Grand Parade.”
Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, and Social Services, 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 Original D6 minstrel troop Photo: Armand Hough / African News Agency (ANA)
“The event draws a diversity of cultures from across the city. It is recognised globally as being synonymous with Cape Town alongside Table Mountain.”
Western Cape Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Anroux Marais, adds: “Central to our efforts is creating an enabling environment in which all who call the Western Cape home feel a sense of identity, belonging and unity. In our multicultural context, cultural diversity should indeed be celebrated and protected as cultural affairs contribute to the holistic development of the individual and subsequent empowerment of communities while uplifting South Africa as a whole.
"We wholeheartedly thank all who had a hand in the success of what promises to be the best Cape Town Street Parade yet. I trust all will thoroughly enjoy the biggest cultural event in South Africa with all its new surprises in a safe and responsible manner.”
The new theme song, It’s a Cape Town thing, ’n Kaapse ding, was written by local actor and singer Shadley Schroeder and produced by Clive Ridgway.
The song can be heard on the 2018 highlights video which can be viewed on the Cape Town Street Parade’s Facebook page.
On 2 January, the jol starts at noon, with an opening ceremony on the Parade around 1pm and the revelry will continue until 10pm.
Entertainment will include Loukmaan Adams, TDV.91 and other bands, while Waseef Piekaan will be MC. Street acts will include Football Freestylers, Khoisan Plasterz, Freestyle Dance Crew, Thandi Swartbooi Township Dance Academy, 7 Steps Drumline, 20Sk8 Skate Development and the Bo-Kaap Blikkie Band.
There are limited Golden Circle tickets available at R100 each from Computicket. This will provide patrons with a shaded area with the best views of the entertainment and troupe procession.