The klopse season is in full swing and the troupes were in top form at Athlone Stadium on Saturday.
Hundreds of Kaapse Klopse Karnival Association (KKKA) minstrels came out in full force in their gear, painted faces and buckets of pride.
As is far too often the case, the gates opened later than expected, mense stood in line with pre-sold tickets since dawn just to get the best seats early.
But the gates only opened an hour later at 12 pm.
Organisers say it was due to security reasons.
KKKA director, Muneeb Gambeno, says he was happy with the turnout - about 16 000 troupe members and fans.
“I think that the day was a huge success and the troupes were truly the heroes as they were all very impressive,” he says.
“Having said that, I remain unimpressed by the lateness of troupes.
“We all want this carnival to transform and become the best event it can be for our supporters and general viewing public.
“But for that to happen, the klopse must start respecting the paying public by arriving on time on event day.”
Competitions on the day included Grand March Pass, Klopse Jol, Best Dressed, Best Board, Adult Drum Major and Junior Drum Major.
Farouk Jacobs and Faried Morrison from Mitchells Plain All Stars were excited to haal uit en wys for the Best Board category.
“We are ready to take this category!” says Farouk.
Little Fakier Cloete, 5, from Hip Hop Minstrels, stole the show as the team’s smallest voorloper.
“I love being a klops, I dance in front and lead the team through the stadium in the Klopse Jol section and in the streets,” he says proudly.
Each team brought their unique flavour in the Klopse Jol section.
Mense went bos for this section as it allows the bands to show off their music repertoire and the team gets to jol freestyle.
One thing they all had in common, though, was that every single member came with their best kriewel(a klopse term for dancing in a unique way characterised by shaking of the shoulders and hips, tongue out, lips and facial movements, legs, arms and hands moving to the rhythm).
Next Saturday’s competition categories are Juvenile Combine, Juvenile Sentimental, English Combine and Afrikaans Moppie.