After more than two years, the much-loved Kaapse Klopse beats will be heard again in the streets of the Cape Town.
Cape Town will be abuzz once again as the minstrel competitions, the Malay choir road marches, and the historic Tweede Nuwe Jaar Minstrel Parade return in living colour this summer.
Also read: Where the Cape Minstrels came from
On Wednesday, 21 September 2022, an announcement was made by Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis during a media briefing held at the City Hall.
Hill-Lewis says the city has committed to a three-year agreement in which it will provide financial support, and event services and waive the use of city facilities for the events.
Hill-Lewis expressed his excitement to have the Kaapse Klopse back and how he looks forward to this summer.
“The Ghoema is going to be heard again in the streets of Cape Town. The choir will be heard again and the minstrels will be seen again on Tweede Nuwe Jaar. The break has done a lot of harm to the communities that love this tradition,” said Hill-Lewis.
The Kaapse Klopse Karnival Association (KKKA) Minstrel competitions will take place throughout January while the Tweede Nuwe Jaar Minstrel Parade (Cape Town Street Parade) will return to its traditional date on 2 January.
Keep The Dream Choral competition will also take place in January and February 2023.
Manager of the Cape Malay Choir Board, Adnaan Morris, says they are elated that things will return to normal.
“Today is a big day for us. This announcement enables us to host our competitions. This is the core business of the Cape Malay Choir; to host competitions. The choirs are excited,” said Morris.
In addition, he also explained that the first choral sectional competition would kick off at the Good Hope Christian Centre in Ottery on Saturday, 24 September.
Muneeb Gambino, KKKA Chair acknowledged the city’s financial support and commitment to the culture.
According to Gambino, the organising and hosting this event is complex and costly.
The two-year absence due to the COVID pandemic, introduced further complexities such as funding challenges and supply chain issues.
As we all know, many businesses in the events industry have either closed or scaled down their operations.
Furthermore, Mogamat Davids, Keep the Dream Choir Board Chair said that the board salutes the resumption of the festive season programme.
Also read:
Tweede Nuwe Jaar celebrations postponed due to safety concerns
Picture: Cape Town {Etc} gallery