KLOP DIT FLOU - Everything you need to know about the Cape Minstrels Carnival

Minstrel troupes are ready to ruk en kriewel when they take over Cape Town for the annual Tweede Nuwe Jaar parade on Monday.

Now officially known as the Hollywoodbets Cape Town Street Parade, Tweede Nuwe Jaar kicks off five weeks of competition among the Mother City's minstrels.

The parade, organised by the Kaapse Klopse Carnival Association (KKKA), brings together various troupes who will march, drum, and dance through the city centre from Greenpoint to Cape Town Stadium.

Thousands of spectators will line the streets, clapping, cheering, and following the performers as they show off their colourful outfits, top hats, and sparkling costumes.

For many performers, the parade is the highlight of the year, a chance to show off months of practice and to celebrate their culture and community.

According to KKKA director Muneeb Gambeno it started during the colonial era when slaves were allowed one day a year to celebrate the New Year.

He said the parade opens the five-week competition period for Cape Town’s minstrels.

While the parade itself is not judged, it marks the start of the season and allows troupes to perform in public before moving on to the competitions.

This year, the parade is combined with day one of the competitions, which is why the route was shortened to end at Cape Town Stadium.

After the parade, the different troupes perform at the stadium where judges score them on marching, dancing, singing, musical skill, and overall presentation.

The season continues on January 10, 24, and 31, with January 17 skipped for an important Islamic observance.

On January 31, Section One finals will be held to crown a winner, and the season concludes with Section Two finals on February 7.

Other organisations, such as the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival Association and the Cape District Minstrel Board, also hold separate competitions for their own troupes.

Gambeno said that under the KKKA banner, 16 troupes take part in the competitions, duking it out to be crowned winners of their sections.

The 16 troupes are:

• Original D6 Hanover Minstrels
• Mitchells Plain Young Tycoons
• Phantoms Community Development
• Ashwin Willemse Orient Community Development
• Young Wild Comanches
• Manenberg Superstars
• Carnival Boys Youth Development (also known as Crystal Palace)
• Wild Apache
• Playaz Inc
• Baruch Entertainers
• CPT Hawkers
• Juvie Boy Entertainers
• West London All Stars
• TV Stars
• Last Tomahawks
• Fabulous Seawind Entertainers.

Gambeno said each organisation held separate competitions with their own affiliated troupes.

"The association would typically be given the permit to host the event," he said.

He said the event would also be broadcast live on SABC 2 from 12pm to 2.30pm, meaning that, for the first time ever, the entire country can watch and “participate” in the carnival.

"From our perspective, this is hugely significant for our youth, allowing them to compete in their art in a world-class arena and be showcased to the entire country," he said.

"The event also supports an entire economy — predominantly township-based SMMEs who supply goods and services for the carnival."

The parade starts at 11am and the competitions 12:45pm.

The Nagtroepe, or Cape Malay Choirs, which traditionally march on New Year’s Eve, are not linked to any of the minstrel associations or their events.

The Cape Malay Road March starts on Wednesday.

The procession will start at 8.30pm from Rose Street in Bo-Kaap, travel down Wale Street and end in Adderley Street around 4am on Thursday.