Everything you need to know about the Cape Minstrels and 'Nagtroepe' marches
The Cape Minstrels (also known as the Kaapse Klopse) take over the streets of the Mother City each year for the annual and historic 'Tweede Nuwe Jaar' Street Parade.
Image: Henk Kruger/IOL
Minstrel troupes are ready to shake, rattle, and roll when they take over Cape Town for the annual Tweede Nuwe Jaar parade on Monday.
Now officially known as the Hollywood Beds Cape Town Street Parade, Tweede Nuwe Jaar kicks off five weeks of competition among the Mother City's minstrels.
The parade, organised by the Kaapse Klopse Carnival Association (KKKA), brings together various troupes who will march, drum, and dance through the city centre from Greenpoint to DHL Stadium.
Thousands of spectators will line the streets, clapping, cheering, and following the performers as they show off their colourful outfits, top hats, and sparkling costumes.
Children often try to copy the dancers, while families and visitors take photos or wave along the route.
For many performers, the parade is the highlight of the year, a chance to show off months of practice and to celebrate their culture and community.
But what is the Klopse and how does it actually work?
Kaapse Klopse is a traditional Cape Town minstrel festival where groups of performers, called troupes, march, dance, and play music through the streets.
It takes place every year around Tweede Nuwe Jaar, or “Second New Year”, on January 2. This years, it takes place on January 5.
The event, which is famous for its colourful costumes, top hats, painted faces, and lively music, including drums, trumpets, and trombones, has a long history.
According to KKKA director Muneeb Gambeno it started during the colonial era when slaves were allowed one day a year to celebrate the New Year.
They used that day to sing, dance, and perform, creating a tradition that has been passed down through generations.
Over time, this grew into the parades and competitions seen today, keeping the cultural heritage alive.
He said the parade opens the five-week competition period for Cape Town’s minstrels.
While the parade itself is not judged, it marks the start of the season and allows troupes to perform in public before moving on to the competitions.
This year, the parade is combined with day one of the competitions, which is why the route was shortened to end at DHL Stadium.
After the parade, the different troupes perform at the stadium where judges score them on marching, dancing, singing, musical skill, and overall presentation.
The season continues on January 10, 24, and 31, with January 17 skipped for an important Islamic observance.
On January 31, section one finals will be held to crown a winner, and the season concludes with section two finals on February 7.
Other organisations, such as the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival Association and the Cape District Minstrel Board, also hold separate competitions for their own troupes.
Gambeno said that under the KKKA banner, 16 troupes take part in the competitions, duking it out to be crowned winners of their sections.
The 16 troupes are:
- Original D6 Hanover Minstrels;
- Mitchells Plain Young Tycoons;
- Phantoms Community Development;
- Ashwin Willemse Orient Community Development;
- Young Wild Comanches;
- Manenberg Superstars;
- Carnival Boys Youth Development (also known as Crystal Palace);
- Wild Apache;
- Playaz Inc;
- Baruch Entertainers;
- CPT Hawkers;
- Juvie Boy Entertainers;
- West London All Stars;
- TV Stars;
- Last Tomahawks; and
- Fabulous Seawind Entertainers.
Other organisations, such as the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival Association and the Cape District Minstrel Board, run their own competitions separately.
Gambeno said each organisation held separate competitions with their own affiliated troupes.
"The association would typically be given the permit to host the event," he said.
He said the event would also be broadcast live on SABC 2 from 12pm to 2.30pm, meaning that, for the first time ever, the entire country can watch and “participate” in the carnival.
"From our perspective, this is hugely significant for our youth, allowing them to compete in their art in a world-class arena and be showcased to the entire country," he said.
"The event also supports an entire economy — predominantly township-based SMMEs who supply goods and services for the carnival."
The parade starts at 11am and the competitions 12:45pm.
The Nagtroepe, or Cape Malay Choirs, which traditionally march on New Year’s Eve, are not linked to any of the minstrel associations or their events.
The Cape Malay Road March starts on Wednesday.
The procession will start at 8.30pm from Rose Street in Bo-Kaap, travel down Wale Street and end in Adderley Street around 4am on Thursday.
The competitions almost didn't take place.
The Cape Town Minstrel Carnival Association (CTMCA) had gone to court after the City of Cape Town was said to have failed to confirm a venue for the much-loved events.
Thanks to the court order, the competitions can now finally go ahead.
Judge James Dumisani Lekhuleni ruled that the metro must provide a suitable venue for all four dates and cover the costs of the urgent application, including legal fees.
Several community and political organisations were present in support of the association, including the EFF, which had been vocal about backing the minstrels ahead of the ruling.
The judgment follows claims made by the CTMCA that the metro withdrew approval for the use of Vygieskraal Stadium and declined a separate street parade application without providing reasons.
In earlier statements, the association said it was informed that permission to use Vygieskraal had been withdrawn but that no explanation was given.
IOL News