If the X-factor ever existed in a Klops, then the Juvie Boys Entertainers is the troupe that has it.
The energy of these ouens on just a normal road march is so infectious that one can understand quite easily why they have become known as “the people’s team”.
Within just six years, the people behind the scenes have built this troupe into a massive brand and a Klops force to be reckoned with.
On their fifth anniversary, they took the title of Carnival Kings after being disqualified for all the items of the first day.
This was unheard of.
As many old Klops fanatics will tell you, the only way you can win a carnival is by getting a prize in every category.
In my opinion, the Juvie Boys deserved that win.
While they may not have won a prize in every item, they won enough to put them ahead of the competition.
But they hit a slump last year.
We did not get to see the best of JBE but when you take their slogan of 2018 into consideration, then you can understand why it was the year of refocus for the people’s champions.
But they did not fare too badly, ending the carnival as runners-up by just one point.
They still jolled out of Cape Town Stadium as if they were Carnival Kings, led by their band and the sound of their supporters’ voices ringing out with the team’s anthem, “Jy moet hop as jy die Juvie hoor, so kom nou saam saam saam en jika met die Juvie Boys”.
INFECTIOUS VIBE: Juvie Boys get people excited about the carnival and are well supported
Now the JBE are getting ready to entertain Cape Town once again, and you can expect even bigger things come this Klopse season.
The chief director of the Juvie Boys, Yusuf Gester, says: “The public can expect nothing less than what JBE have always delivered, soes hulle se, ons gaan dit hard neersit.
“We will come out in big numbers, we will compete on a very high level on the all the items, and we will try and maintain the discipline and the safety of our people that is always for us priority number one.”
“As with every Klopse team, we too have gone through transformation and last year was our test.
“But the people, the supporters, remained firm, so we have changed our slogan this year, to “you own it”, showing that no one person can own JBE, it belongs to the people.”
He adds: “For me, the strength of the team lies in the team itself; the coaches and the people we surround ourselves with, but even more so the public who supports the team.”
Within the JBE klopskamer, one always gets the sense that this team is hungry for something.
They show focus and intent with every item and when asked about this admirable attitude, Gester said: “Ons sal altyd honger bly om ‘n carnival te wen. Daar is iets wat ons in daai akni gooi, ‘n secret spice.
“And we have to stay hungry, because once that hunger is gone, then there will be no reason for us to play klops anymore.”
I look at the Klops and always think they will be around for a very long time, but Gester pointed something out to me that made me change my mind.
“JBE will be around as long as the Almighty blesses us to be here. We have plans but His plans are above ours,” he says.
“Our intention is to keep alive for the people, as long as we are allowed by the Almighty.”
That is a very good lesson but I for one cannot picture a Klopse season without JBE in it.
They are the Klops of this generation, they are likeable and socially savvy.
If the carnival could be won on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Instagram, then they would not even need to go out to the road.
Simply put, I believe the minstrel fraternity needs this troupe to help keep us relevant in these modern times.
The sexiness of this brand has drawn the attention of corporate company Twizza, who has come on board as their sponsor.
Asked if he thought the Juvies could be crowned Carnival Kings this year, Gester replied: “What type of question is that to the Juvie Boys? We can definitely win any competition!
“We are just a little disappointed that it’s been split into sections, so not all the teams will compete in one section; that would have made it more competitive and more interesting.”
JBE public relations officer Ikraam van Wit had this to add: “If you own it and you know it, clap your hands!”
With that said, good luck to the Juvie Boys and if you see them on the road on Tweede Nuwejaar, gee jouself ‘n tyd and jol with them, because as they say, “you own it”.