Christmas came early for the minstrel troupes and Malay choirs after the City of Cape Town this week announced it was allocating R6.1 million to this year’s festivities.
But a major Cape klopse group, the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival Association (CTMCA), say they did not receive a cent.
The City said funding in the form of cash and support services will be given to six associations to host their events.
These include the Tweede Nuwe Jaar parade, hosted for the second year in a row by the Kaapse Klopse Karnival Association, minstrel tournaments and the Malay choir and Christmas choral competitions.
Kevin Momberg of the CTMCA says they were disappointed and will be appealing the City’s “unfair” decision.
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According to Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security; and Social Services, JP Smith, the CTMCA was not given any funding because some of its board members were convicted gangsters.
Smith says Momberg was informed that the City could not support the CTMCA due to requirements in terms of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA), the City of Cape Town’s Credit Control and Debt Collection Policy, and the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA).
“Due to criminal convictions in terms of POCA held by board members of the CTMCA, the City cannot rent facilities, provide non-essential services, or issue any permits to them.
“Further to the above, the CTMCA owes a total of R442 692 to the City. This includes R142 629 in service costs and R300 000 in legal fees which they have to pay in accordance with the cost order awarded against the CTMCA by Judge Dennis Davis in the Western Cape High Court.
“The CTMCA board members still have a POCA finding against them and Momberg and the CTMCA were advised accordingly.”
‘UNFAIR’: CTMA’s Momberg
But Momberg said that the event was about the people and not the association.
“We will be appealing this denial. Our troupes need funding. It is not about the organisation, but our culture. We have more than 30 teams, with anything from 500 to 1000 members. This will do more harm than good,” he tells Daily Voice.
Meanwhile, Muneeb Gambeno of the KKKA says they are very happy with their multi-million rand cash injection from the City.
The KKKA will receive R2 million in cash, and R1.7m in support services.
Gambeno says they now have enough time to organise a spectacular Tweede Nuwe Jaar jol and invited any and all troupes to join them.
“We are hosting an-all inclusive event and will continue to transform it into an appealing part of the City. One organisation has been excluded by the City, but all the troupes are most welcome to be part of all the competitions and events.
“No team will be excluded.”