Baruch, Baruch, Baruch is on fire!
That is how I felt after Saturday’s Section 1 carnival competition of the Kaapse Klopse Karnival Assosiasie (KKKA) at Athlone Stadium.
The Baruch Entertainers once again delivered the goods this weekend after there was much speculation if this new team, wat so lekke klopse jol, can actually sing or not.
Well, they proved themselves by nearly singing the roof off Athlone Stadium with their English combined chorus, Jerusalem, which received a well-deserved standing ovation. Surely the animated choir master deserves much praise for the hard work he put in to achieve a standard that many are now referring to as the level after the next level.
It was a performance that will be remembered and spoken about for many years to come, and it will remain fixated in the minds of everyone who was present on the day that Baruch’s combine gave every single person on that stadium hoendervel (goosebumps).
One klopse baas even remarked to me: “Kyk hier hoe rys die hare op my arm.”
It is not always about the prizes.
Most of the time, klops is about doing kwaai stuff that captures the audience, and on Saturday, this superb combine did just that.
This was another sign that the new kids on the block are not participating for name and fame.
They are in it to win it, and I take my hat off to Mr. Claud Jonas for showing up with a winning attitude.
Meneer, jy mag maar klops speel. The Baruch booty shake is feel good and net te lekke, mens wil net jol as julle verbykom.
The Carnival Kings of Athlone Stadium, the Juvieboys, also put in a flawless English combine chorus, Marikana, and showed why they are one of the best singpakke in the business.
The Juvie’s combine was a tribute to their former coach, the legendary Abduraghmaan Davids, aka Boy van Ottomans, and the kind gesture was well received by the audience.
I would advise spectators to stay until the end of competitions this season.
The stand was a bit empty for the Kenfac Entertainers, who was the last team to perform.
In my opinion, they stand a good chance to be among the prize winners for every single item they performed, with the highlight being their juvenile singer, who sang his sentimental to perfection.
Along with the adult sentimental, this troupe delivered a sterling performance.
Kenfac are the current champions of KKKA and they proved on Saturday just why they are the title holders.
I heard a birdie whistle that the original D6 Fabulous Woodstock Starlites are also in the running for combine. I was busy performing my prayers at the time, so didn’t see them, but reports are that you were all amazing.
This season, nobody can predict who will win the coveted carnival kings trophy; there are just too many surprises.
With regards to the marching, it was well run and teams were moving in fast. At times there were three teams in the arena.
Also well done to all who sponsored the St. Francis orphanage to come out and spend the day at the klopse, and to the KKKA for helping to raise more funds for the kids.
AAN DIE GANG: The Young Dynamic Minstrels
This is what the heart of klops looks like.
Now on to the Moppies my favourite item, of course.
This is going to be tough because it was a flakka session for a while, with both the first two teams singing fantastic moppies about flakka, the new drug causing havoc everywhere.
PERFORM: Shadley Schroeder, D6 Starlights
The G-Star Entertainers, singing My Skoonma is op Flakka, had the audience in stitches and the Juvies, singing Flakka is Kakka, had some tight choreography which wowed the audience.
Both of these comics were new and had some good social commentary.
Moppie, however, is supposed to be social commentary on something that actually really affects us, and for this I blame the fake news machines, as the Daily Voice has published several articles last month, stating that flakka in Cape Town is a hoax.
But I guess by the time these facts were presented, the comics were already written.
With that said, it was once again a gevaarlike day of klops and the KKKA are improving every week by running a tight competition, and closing the stadium well before 11pm.
STOUTE BOUD: Imo Vee of Cape Town Hawkers
I’m always pleased when this happens, so guys, keep up the good work, julle is aannie brand and people are happy.
Onwards, upwards and forward, viva la klopse.