Not even the sweltering heat could put a damper on this year’s Hollywoodbets Cape Town Street Parade on Tuesday, January 2, which saw thousands of spectators take to the streets to celebrate the New Year.
An estimated 100,000 onlookers filled the streets to witness the iconic annual Capetonian festival, which has had young and old in awe for decades.
“We did have some minor incidents with people in the crowd affected by the heat, but those issues were dealt with. Our medical team has been superb in making sure everyone was taken care of on a day when the temperatures reached over 30 degrees,” said Riyaad Peters, Operations Director for Kaapse Klopse Karnival Association (KKKA).
The excitement around the event started way before kick-off, not only from the 26 troupes who took part, but also from supporters who were camped out on New Year’s Day to make sure they got a good spot along the route.
With roughly 15, 000 to 20, 000 minstrels participating in Africa’s largest cultural festival, the streets were a buzz with Ghoema music, choreographed marches, and colourful costumes.
“Today was a very successful day, not only for the hosts and the sponsors but also for Cape Town and South Africa as a whole. We saw the Hollywoodbets Purple Mile opposite the City Hall – the new grandstand erected for the event – packed,” said Peters.
The city centre’s streets between Rose Street in Bo Kaap and Hanover Street in District Six were a colourful spectacle, as minstrel troupes from all over Cape Town continued the long-standing custom that has been observed in the region for more than 115 years.
“As soon as Deputy Mayor Eddie Andrews officially opened the Hollywoodbets Cape Town Street Parade, the streets came alive with satin, sequins and Ghoema music,” said Peters.
The festivities kicked off promptly at 13:15 and the last troupe ended their parade just before the cut-off time.
According to KKKA director Muneeb Gambeno, having the event start and end exactly on schedule without any hiccups, was a first for the event but certainly not the last.
Deputy Mayor Eddie Andrews said: “As the city we are diverse, and this event helps us to celebrate our uniqueness and our diversity. We have people here from all walks of life. The social cohesion aspects and the economic benefit as well, I think it’s a marriage made perfect in Cape Town on Tweede Nuwe Jaar.”
It was a double celebration for the Minstrel fraternity as the Hollywoodbets Cape Town Street Parade 2024 event coincides with the 20th anniversary of the Kaapse Klopse Karnival Association.
The troupes paraded straight down Darling Street with onlookers in the Hollywoodbets Purple Mile, opposite the City Hall having the “best seats in the house”.
Four new grandstands were erected, and spectators could gain access to the prime viewing area on a first come first served basis.
Troupes participating were from both the Cape District Minstrel Board as well as the organising association the KKKA. The running order for the day was Original District Six Hanover Minstrels; West London All-Stars; TV Stars, Pennsylvanians; Butlers Youth Development; Tygerberg Youth; Young Ones Youth Development; Exquisite Golden Gate; Mannenberg Superstars; Cape Town Hawkers; Fabulous Woodstock Starlites; Ravenmead Community; Spes Bona; Lavender Superstars; Valhalla Community Entertainers; Fabulous Seawind Entertainers; Posh Vibrant Youth Development; Playaz Inc. Carnival Boys; Wesbank Youth Entertainer; Delft Community Entertainers; The Original Wild Apaches; Juvie Boy Entertainers; Ashwin Willemse Orient and Young Wild Commanches with some troupes being almost 2000 members strong.
Festivities for this year’s event carried on until after 21:00, as it marked a successful day for all spectators, organizers and sponsors.
“The Hollywoodbets Cape Town Street Parade was a spectacular showcase, and the unwavering organisational commitment from all participants ensured the event was a resounding success. This sponsorship exemplifies Hollywoodbets’ dedication to authentic transformation, and we are thrilled to have supported an event that celebrates and embraces human diversity. Our commitment to uplifting the communities of Cape Town has been extended this year with a significant financial contribution by our Hollywood Foundation, which will specifically support the ongoing KKKA Annual Kaapse Klopse Competition and its participants. We are dedicated to ensuring the sustainability of Arts and Culture within the City, and fostering a vibrant and culturally rich community,” said Devin Heffer, Brand and Communications Manager for Hollywoodbets
Stadium competitions return
The Hollywoodbets Cape Town Street Parade event might be completed for the year, but the excitement lives on in the form of a five-week-long competition at Athlone Stadium.
The Hollywoodbets and KKKA Annual Kaapse Klopse Competitions start this coming Saturday (6 January) and take place each Saturday until the first week of February, with knock-out rounds determining the winners.
The troupes compete in various categories such as Grand March Pass; Klopse Jol; Best Dressed Troupe; Juvenile Drum Major and Senior Drum Major – all with the quest to determine which troupe reigns supreme.
The 26 participating troupes will be split into two sections. Troupes from Section 1 will compete for top honours on January 6 and 20 while Section 2 troupes will battle it out against each other on January 13 and 27. The winners of the two sections will go head-to-head on February 3 where the best of the best will be decided.
Everyone is welcome to come to support their teams in person, with tickets ranging between R30 and R60 each available through Computicket. Please note that no tickets will be sold at the venue.
Gates will open at 11 am via the P1, P2 and P3 turnstiles at Athlone Stadium. The Main Stage Entertainment will commence at 11:30am before the first competition day category kicks off at 13:05.
To purchase tickets for the upcoming Athlone Stadium competitions, visit the Computicket booking link here: https://computicket-boxoffice.com/e/hollywoodbets-kkka-kaapse-klopse-competition-n7dHhX
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