As a klops lover, supporter and artist I felt extremely proud of the Cape Town Street Parade which took place last Saturday.
The Kaapse Klopse Karnival Association are proving with each Street Parade that they are the perfect umbrella to push the historical road march into the next level.
In fact, this year we’ve reached that next level and everyone was left satisfied.
As one of the artists performing, I was so happy when I arrived at the event on the Grand Parade in the CBD to see a huge stage set up and big screens.
I think it gave all the artists plak and that alone took the game up.
The golden circle concept is even picking up for klopse lovers and the grandstand at the back was also a great add-on.
All credit must go to the KKKA for a well-run event.
The KKKA always do their best to run on time.
RESPECT: Muneeb Gambeno of the KKKA. Picture: Supplied.
I remember a stern Muneeb Gambeno coming to me at the event saying: “ My broe, julle kannie nou lank gaan nie, die klopse moet al begin loepit.”
It is that respect shown to time management that is gaining the KKKA much popularity from both the artists and the public.
With that said, die ding het geruk from the moment the first team made their way into the golden circle and people went bos.
It’s always amazing for me to see how many people still love this culture; they stood for hours, and some even for days, waiting for the parade to start, and then stood and cheered the entire day as the teams came marching past.
Now, there are always negative people saying negative things about the klopse and one of them I heard recently is that the culture will soon die out.
I could not disagree more.
A HANDFUL OF MOVES: Seawinds Klopse at festival. Picture: Supplied.
From what I saw on Saturday, this culture is strong and God willing, will still be around for the next one hundred years.
I don’t want to single out any troupe, because I enjoyed all the teams.
Everyone brought it and to me there were no losers on the day.
I am looking forward to the competition which starts on Saturday at Athlone Stadium.
Judging from the Street Parade it’s going to be tough, mense.
The road march is usually a good indicator of the top teams to look out for, but for me, this year it’s too tight to call.
What would make me happy is if all the teams come with moppies and combines of a high standard, because it’s not really about winning, it’s about putting on a kwaai show for the paying public.
It’s not lekker to sit at a stadium for a full day watching weak moppies or combines, only for the top teams to bring quality at the end of the day.
Why can’t we mix it up to give mense a lekker show the entire day?
This is something that has to change because we will, in due time, be playing to people who are not watching the competition, but an audience who only wants to be entertained by our music.
I think if we get that right this year, then we as an entire klops community will have made a positive impact.
LEKKER BEATS: Klopse performing at the Athlone stadium. Picture: Supplied.
With that said, stiek uit on Saturday at Athlone Stadium.
The items to be performed will be Afrikaans moppie, English combine chorus and juvenile sentimental.
People can expect choral singing of the highest quality and moppies that will have them rolling in the aisles.
You will be safe because if the tight security at the street parade was anything to judge by, then I am sure it will be just as strict at the stadium.
TALK: Dan Plato addressed crowd at street parade. Picture: Supplied.
I even saw a security guard asking Mayor Dan Plato on Saturday for his armband before he could enter. LOL.
We have grown as a culture and we are aware that many people still believe it’s dangerous to come to the stadiums because there is a history of crime.
Things have changed so please don’t deprive yourself of this beautiful culture anymore.
Sien julle almal oppie stadium Sarag.