CAPE TOWN CARNIVAL TO BRING A LEKKER VIBE
When the thousands of spectators line up along Green Point for the Cape Town Carnival, they can expect a lekker vibe from over 1 400 performers.
On 16 March 2024, Fan Walk along Somerset Road and Main Road will come alive for the Cape Town Carnival extravaganza.
With a myriad of floats, costumes and life-size art pieces, the performers will dazzle around 30 000 people who gather along the Fan Walk for the spectacle.
Centered around the theme “lekker” in 2024, the carnival promising a truly tasty treat for the spectators while also staying true to its traditions.
“What matters most to Capetonians is our diverse people, rich culture, the undeniable beauty in which we live, and our sense of humour,” said Cape Town Carnival CEO Jay Douwes at a recent media launch.
“What you will find this year is that ‘Lekker’ is really a feeling that we want to evoke through the carnival. The word describes so much of our culture and what makes Cape Town and South Africa special. Please come along and experience the full show.”
STORYTELLING THROUGH CARNIVAL
The Cape Town Carnival’s celebration of creativity and cultural diversity would not be possible without the countless community groups whose performances leave crowds in awe.
“The Cape Town Carnival is this beautifully layered phenomenon that brings a lot of joy, but not only that, it is also a place where someone can come off the street with no skills and be given the opportunity to learn those skills and be the leader of a production team, for example,” said Carnival chairperson Rachel Jafta.
This is indeed true for Sibusiso Sakayi who in 2016, 2017, and 2018 was a spectator enthralled by the performers.
Sakayi, who had been a dancer from a young age, joined the Cape Town Carnival in 2019 and is currently serving as a performance facilitator.
“The Cape Town Carnival saw talent in me and granted me the opportunity to go to Hong Kong…What we do is not just dancing, it’s storytelling. We tell stories of many different cultures and it is a great feeling sharing what we have with audience from Cape Town and the Western Cape,” said Sakayi.
Sakayi will be facilitating performances by some of the more than 40 community groups taking part in the 2024.
ECONOMIC BENEFITS
The carnival has been one of Cape Town’s mainstay events since its inception in 2010 with the backing of the City of Cape Town.
“National and international guests come to Cape Town (for) the Carnival. And when they come, they stay at our hotels, spend money at eateries and support informal traders. That economic injection is important to us as Team Cape Town because the economy can then grow,” said Deputy Mayor Eddie Andrews.
“We wish all the performers well, give your best because you are an inspiration to many who will be walking down the streets and wanting to be there and eventually cross over to the other side and become a performer.”
The Cape Town Carnival takes place on Saturday 16 March 2024 on Somerset Road, Green Point.
Entry to the event is free however those wishing to purchase grandstand and VIP tickets can find them through Quicket.
