People could be forgiven for thinking it’s festive in October when they saw the klopse marching on Mitchells Plain on Saturday.
A total of 280 minstrels got their first Covid-19 vaccinations via the Jab B4 Jol campaign held at the Lentegeur Hospital vaccination site.
The klopse groups in attendance were Valhalla Community Entertainers, Lavender Superstars, Tygerberg Youth Development, and Pennsylvanians.
The troupes walked around the hospital grounds, before heading to the vaccination centre.
After their jabs, they had a lockdown-friendly jol with Western Cape Health MEC Nomafrench Mbombo outside the venue.
The annual klopse marches have been grounded for two years in a row.
Mbombo’s spokesperson Nomawethu Sbukwana said they are encouraging mense to get the jab before socialising, and before the big days arrive.
“This campaign is about taking vaccines to people.
“The main target is the ‘Amatik-tok’ group. We aim to take the jabs where young people are, the churches, nightclubs, car washes and shisa nyamas, where the 18 to 49 age group can be found.”
The band leader of the Pensylvanians, Brett Edwards, said they want everyone to vaccinate so that their festivities and competitions can resume.
He said there was no need to fear the jab: “My experience prior to taking my first jab was that I was anxious, but after completing the process I was relieved and happy that I am now vaccinated.”
The chairperson for the Kaapse Klopse Karnival Association, Muneeb Gambeno, adds: “The quicker we reach maximum vaccination the sooner we can recommence with the carnival.
“That much must be clear and we therefore encourage people to get vaccinated.
“The leadership of the KKKA got vaccinated as soon as it became available to us.”
The minstrels will get their second jab on 20 November.