Kaapse Klopse Karnival 'going home'

THE Kaapse Klopse are ready to hit Cape Town Stadium in a revamp of the iconic Cape Town Minstrel Street Parade this nuwe jaar.

Rising costs and fewer troupes are threatening the traditional Tweede Nuwejaar Klopse Carnival, with the organisers announcing a drastic route change and change in format.

The traditional gathering at the Grand Parade and people lining Darling, Adderley and Wale Streets to catch a glimpse of the Klopse will be no more. It will be especially devastating for the people of Bo-Kaap, who for years came with their chairs and umbrellas from early in the morning to book their seats along Wale Street up until Rose Street in Bo-Kaap to get the best view.

Kaapse Klopse Karnival Association (KKKA) director Muneeb Gambino told the Weekend Argus that the adjustments were made to protect the Klopse and safeguard its future. “If we don’t make these changes, the carnival could die out in the years to come,” Gambino said.

“We will be dropped off and walk right into Lower Chiappini Street, then into Somerset Road, under the underpass, and into DHL Stadium,” Gambino explained. He noted that bands will only start in Somerset Road during the Tweede Nuwe Jaar street parade, followed by the immediate start of the five-day competition at the stadium.

Gambino explained, the changes respond to rising costs and evolving troupe sizes. 

“Before, we had about 40 troupes across Cape Town. Now we only have 14 competing troupes and three Atcha troupes. The carnival has become unaffordable. Transport alone can cost R8,800 per bus, per day, with one team spending up to R160,000,” he said.

Gambino emphasised that this is not a new route. “The formal carnival started as a competition in Green Point in 1907, not as a parade. Before that, teams would jol in their communities. Up into the 1980s, there was never a single route; teams took the shortest, most comfortable paths. Green Point has always been the cradle of the carnival.”

He said the KKKA consulted historians to ensure the adjustments respect the event’s cultural roots, particularly regarding the De Waterkant district. 

“Carnival is going home. This year and in the years ahead, this decision balances history with sustainability,” Gambino said.

Practical considerations also informed the changes. Compressing the parade and competition helps reduce costs while keeping the event vibrant. 

“We need to compress the road march, and competition so we’re effectively saving a full day of carnival expenses for troupes, minimising expenses while keeping the tradition alive,” he said.

Gambino said that these decisions are community-driven, not tourism-driven. 

“We want our children to play musical instruments, people to be entertained, and the carnival to remain a vehicle of change for our people. It’s either this approach, or no more carnival. The spectacle costs a lot, but it’s in service of the people and the tradition,” he added.

The street event remains free to the public, while the stadium event will be ticketed, offering flexibility for spectators. Gambino concluded, “We’re catering for everyone. The questions was do we take the punches now, or suffer for years to come? We’ve made this decision with absolute consideration for history and sustainability.”

Backing the decision is Yusuf Gester, a KKKA member and troupe leader of Juvie Boys Entertainers, who said his initial reaction to the route change was gratitude that the carnival would still go ahead.

“For me, when I heard about the change in route, the first thing I was grateful for is that we are still going to have a carnival,” Gester said. “When it comes to tradition and rules, there are many ways it evolves. Before, we only had goemas, now we also have brass bands. Strategically, this was about making sure we can still put teams on the road, because honestly, the costs have become exorbitant.”

Gester said redirecting the route has become a major cost-saving mechanism for troupes, many of which are under increasing financial pressure.

“For one day alone, transporting my team of over 1 000 members costs close to R72 000,” he said. “Now we will have the savings of a day because the jol and competition day one will be on 5 January 2025. That also means we can now work towards the new year.”

He emphasised that the changes do not signal the removal of tradition, but rather its preservation.

“The change doesn’t mean they are taking away tradition, it's more about preserving it and sustaining it,” Gester said.

He added that spectators will also benefit from the new format. “Imagine if we had to walk the normal route we wouldn’t be able to play Klopse in the stadium. Now spectators can have a full day.”

Gester urged the public to remain open-minded. “I say give it a chance, see how it goes, and if it doesn’t work we can always go back to the drawing board. But one thing I do know is that ons gaan nog klopse speel, en die mense gaan ons nog kan sien en saam jol.”

However, according to a resident of Bo-Kaap the community was not adequately consulted and said the revised route would economically impact the Bo-Kaap negatively.

The resident said the carnival traditionally moved along Keizersgracht through the Bo-Kaap and ended in Rose Street, and questioned the inclusion of Somerset Street in the new plans.

“Bo-Kaap was always included,” he said, warning that small businesses in the area would now lose out economically.

“They didn’t explain why these changes were made and there was no public participation.”

The resident disputed claims that the decision was linked to sustainability. 

The community member also raised concerns around enforcement and public access along the new route. “What happens if someone puts up a gazebo in Somerset Road? Will law enforcement take it away?”.

The resident added that while majority Bo-Kaap residents were unhappy about the carnival being moved, others welcomed it.

“There are people in Bo-Kaap that are rejoicing, especially those who complain about the Klopse,” concluding that the KKKA appeared to be presenting the changes as fully organised event despite unresolved concerns.

The City of Cape Town confirmed its Events Permit Office is currently reviewing the event application for the Cape Town Street Parade (Tweede Nuwe Jaar Parade) scheduled for 5 January 2026. 

“The City has held several meetings with the event organisers and facilitated engagements with residents’ associations as well as councillors in the affected wards. Plans for the event are being shared with those resident groups.

“Earlier this year the Kaapse Klopse Karnival Association approached the City with a proposal to take the parade through Green Point and into DHL Stadium.

“After considering the reasons behind the decision, the City has lend its support to the move, on condition the organisation submits plans for the proper management of the event route. “

The City explained those plans include ensuring that the parade route is kept clear of any overnight spectators demarcating viewing spots with tents and gazebos.