I’m sitting at Green Point Stadium, I’m 18-years-old and watching the klopse jol item for my very first time for the day.
Enter the arena, the Santam Seawinds gedrape in gold and black satin and shimmering sequins and the stadium immediately goes into a frenzy.
People start standing in anticipation of something great because at the road march the day before, the Santam Seawinds had already stolen the show.
I remember seeing Moosa Parker at the back of the troupe with a huge umbrella, ready for action and Mubariek Alexander with an instrument that was never used in klopse before up until that moment.
The band then strikes up an old school classic “If you say jump I say how high”, Mubariek then beats the massive bass drum loudly and rhythmically, sending the stadium into complete euphoria and every single spectator jumps and jols with Seawinds, who in that moment create the ultimate carnival atmosphere and lifted the klopse game to the next level.
To this day, the bass drum is still being used, but they were the trendsetters and, up until today, the Seawinds are the people’s team.
The klopse troupe started in 1988, so they are 32 years old, one of the longest standing teams, and have won the carnival competition four times.
It was a sad miss for the carnival lovers when Shahied “Boy” Fisher and his Seawinds took a much-deserved break from competition after their 30th anniversary because they always introduce something new, or just because we are so used to seeing the Seawinds in action in our carnival.
Shahied 'Boy' Fisher returns. Photo: Jassiem Juniem/Supplied
I was quite delighted when the owner of Seawinds contacted me and said that the Seawinds troupe is back in the game this season, and they had a good year’s rest to get their act together.
Fisher said: “Ons kom die jaar om mense te remind why we are the people’s teams en ons kom om die carnival te wen.
“We are sorted in every department, our opening was so well attended, more than 500 people, soe die jaar sny ons1200 klopse gears.
“Die Seawinds gaan baie groot wies.”
I am all about klops expressions or, as I have labelled it in the past, the “sêgoetjies”, so I was quite excited to hear that the Seawinds are taking back the klops saying that was initially created by them - “hier kom die waarheid”.
In the moppie department, the Fabulous Seawinds entertainers have acquired the comedy styling of comedian and MC Ashley Pienaar, who already has one first prize moppie and tons of stage experience behind his name.
When speaking to Boy, one can definitely tell he has much love and passion for klops.
He is the type of person who eats and sleeps klops and you can tell that he has an amazing talent for playing the carnival competition.
You can see why many of the best klopse today broke out of Fabulous Seawinds, because they were drawn to the klopse mind of Boy’s Seawinds when he was at the top of the klopse game.
He reminds one that this culture, this tough competition, as competitive as it may be, is about enjoyment.
Nazeem Baker leads the young talent. Photo: Jassiem Juniem/Supplied
He is one of the klopse base who, if you see him at the stadium, you might not recognise him want hy is gesmeer, sy hele kop en sy gesig in glitter en paint, as if he completely transforms from the pangkie with bles and the beard into a different person.
This shows that he genuinely plays klops for the love of the game, and it is this love that has lifted the Fabulous Seawinds over the years.
He is still supported by his right-hand man, Nazeem Baker, and the young klops talent, Shiraan van Wyk.
I used to be a fan vannie Wind; so much so that two years ago when the Kaapse Klopse Karnival Association first got into Cape Town Stadium, I was jolling in with the Fabulous Seawinds live on Facebook with my wife to support our eldest son Ridhaa, who at that time sang his first junior solo for klops- and yes, it was for Seawinds.
Spokesperson and director of Seawinds, Shiraan van Wyk, says: “The team is there for everyone, so feel free to join. We are based at the Hanover Park Community Centre.
The aim of the team is to provide a space to the youth to keep them busy with something positive and present an alternative to gangsterism and drugs.
Winds director Shiraan van Wyk. Photo: Jassiem Juniem/Supplied
With that said, welcome back to the carnival, Mr. Shahied “Boy” Fisher and your gevaarlike Seawinds.
I’m looking forward to once again experiencing “die waarheid”.