It's that time of year again, the annual Cape Town Street Parade (CTSP) is here and this year’s jol is full of kwaai surprises.
For starters, the traditional Tweede Nuwe Jaar event will take place on Saturday, 4 January 2020, rather than 2 January, as the sunset of that day coincides with Friday Jumu’ah.
But the biggest news this year is that MTN South Africa and Samsung have joined the City of Cape Town, the Western Cape Government and Coca-Cola as partners on the CTSP, which is being organised by the Kaapse Klopse Karnival Association (KKKA) for a third consecutive year.
Organisers say they are expecting 45 teams from four different carnival associations to make an appearance at the street jol.
Between 60 000 and 100 000 people are expected to come to see minstrel troupes from all over the Kaap jolling in the streets of the city.
Woodstock Darlings at the Cape Town Sreet Parade. Pictures: Jack Lestrade.
Here’s all you need to know about the festivities on the day:
The Cape’s biggest jol will be kick off opposite the Castle of Good Hope in Darling Street and will end at the bottom of Rose Street in Bo-Kaap.
The Grand Parade will be the place to be from 10am to 2pm to catch the opening and the best local acts live on stage with LED screens, but your favourite troupes will be jolling through the city until10pm.
The Grand stand will offer 500 seats on a first-come-first-served basis. It’s a free jol, but the Golden Circle area (tickets available at Computicket) will give you
the best view of the action and will be shaded with gazebos.
Bishop Lavis community Youth Development at the Cape Town Street Parade held in the CBD. Picture: Jack Lestrade.
Giveaways and exciting offers will be in store for Golden Circle patrons.
Two large LED screens will be set up, one at the Grand Parade and one at the top of Wale Street where live feeds of the start and all the route action will be broadcast for spectators.
Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security and Social Services, JP Smith, says the City is proud to be part of the event.
“This time around it’s going to be bigger and better, the Cape Town minstrel carnival is a rich tradition of our city, some may not like it and some love it, but this is a tradition that must be kept alive and that’s why the City gives them a larger amount of money than any other event we sponsor.”
JP adds: “There are a few nice surprises coming up and it’s going to be extra special as all teams have joined under the KKKA umbrella for CTSP.”
Dancers of D6 Entertainers at the Cape Town Street Parade held in the CBD. Pictures: Jack Lestrade.
KKKA director Muneeb Gambeno says: “People mus come to the event with their families and enjoy the day in the spirit that it is meant to be enjoyed - in hope and peace. “We are looking forward to everyone having the best time ever.”
With MTN on board, you can take the klopse gees everywhere you go on your phone, with a new app called MusicTime where you can download proudly South African music, including minstrel songs. The app uses no data, has no ads and doesn’t require a credit card for entries.
Drum Majors of the Cape Town Hawkers. Pictures Jack Lestrade.
Enjoy the first 60 minutes FREE, then for only R5 you’ll get 120 minutes to listen to your favorite tracks. AND you stand a chance to win a R5000 Samsung voucher and a VIP experience.
To enter, download MTN MusicTime on Google Play or Apple iOS Store, find your favourite minstrel song on the app and send a voice note of you singing along to your selected song to 082 222 1049.