Update:
In response to ACDP’s claims, the City of Cape Town has confirmed that ‘no decision has been taken to remove any Christian or religious symbolism from the festive Lights’, providing photo evidence that Christmas elements, in fact, remain a featured element this year.
‘For more than five decades, the Festive Lights display has become a beloved annual tradition, with thousands of people gathering to witness the magical transformation of Adderley Street into a display of twinkling lights and colourful decorations,’ the City said in a statement sent to Cape {town} Etc.
‘Each year, the Festive Lights are themed to incorporate different elements and icons that represent Cape Town and its iconic landscapes and distinguishing features (mountain, penguins, Klopse, wings, bells, etc). The theme for the past few years has emphasised “hope” – including this year’s theme “United in Hope” – and there have been tweaks year-on-year to update the Lights.’
The City added that ‘in fact, angels, Mary and baby Jesus feature as part of the different elements this year’ and noted also that ‘the City of Cape Town is a cosmopolitan city made up of people from different religions and backgrounds.’
The City also provided images of part of this year’s Festive Lights display, featuring various Christian symbols, including angels, baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph:
The City of Cape Town’s festive season lights in Adderley Street have sparked political and public debate this year after Christian symbols traditionally associated with Christmas were reportedly excluded from the display, reports Cape {town} Etc.
The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) has strongly criticised the move, describing it as an affront to South Africa’s Christian majority.
This year’s festive lights are reportedly themed around the Kaapse Klopse, a long-standing Cape Town cultural tradition closely associated with the city’s history and the annual Tweede Nuwe Jaar celebrations.
The Klopse trace their roots back to the early 19th century and are recognised for their lively music, vibrant and colourful attire, and overall role in the cultural identity of Cape Town’s communities.
In a statement released on 15 December, the party said it was ‘deeply outraged and profoundly disappointed’ by the decision.
‘With Christians comprising approximately 80% of South Africa’s population, this action by the City of Cape Town is not just disappointing but an affront to the majority of its citizens,’ the ACDP said.
According to the party, Christmas lights have historically reflected the religious origins of the holiday, and removing those symbols undermines long-held traditions. ‘Christmas lights traditionally celebrate the birth of Christ, and to eliminate the very symbols that embody the meaning of this holy day is unacceptable,’ the statement read.
The ACDP added that ‘the removal of representations such as the baby Jesus, Mary, angels and other Christian icons undermines the cultural and religious heritage that so many South Africans hold dear.’
Rejecting claims that its objection is about religious dominance, the party added: ‘This issue is not about promoting one religion over another; it is about respecting the cultural traditions of the majority and maintaining the integrity of our national identity.’
ACDP called on the City to immediately reverse the decision and restore the symbols, while also demanding accountability. ‘We therefore demand that the City immediately restore these Christian symbols to their rightful place in the Christmas display,’ the statement continued.
The party further called on the official response for the decision to explain how it was made, adding ‘We seek transparency regarding which directorate authorised this removal and the rationale behind it’.
Concluding its statement, the ACDP said it expects a formal apology from the City and warned that it ‘will not remain silent’ on what it described as ‘the erasure of Christian cultural identity’.
Also read:
Record-breaking crowd packs the Cape for festive lights spectacle
Picture: Jacques Weber / Facebook
