CAPE TOWN STREET PARADE ‘USHERS IN’ NUWE JAAR
Every second day of January, for about 12 hours, the streets of the Cape Town CBD are covered in a mosaic of colour and filled with the sounds of ghoema drums.
And thousands of residents and visitors line up the same streets to watch as some 20 000 minstrel performers dazzle in an extravaganza commemorating the Mother City’s heritage.
For many of these Capetonians, the year has not kicked off until the Cape Town Street Parade or the Tweede Nuwe Jaar has ushered in the New Year.
The event’s history dates back to the 19th century when the Cape slaves were given a day on 2 January to celebrate their own manner.
Today, many organisations and troupes work to preserve the culture and the legacy by hosting the annual parade attended by upwards of 90 000 people every year as well as smaller competitions throughout the year.
The Tweede Nuwe Jaar event is currently organised by the Kaapse Klopse Karnival Association.
“This is the day when our enslaved forefathers used to picnic, to celebrate and to usher in the New Year, the new hope of what’s to come. We still celebrate it, be it in a very colourful way and with vibrancy,” says KKKA Director Muneeb Gambeno.
“We are once again very proud and excited to be organising this iconic Cape Town event which promises to be the best edition ever. Our sincere gratitude to Hollywoodbets, Cape Racing, the City of Cape Town and all our other partners and stakeholders who have committed to deliver this event for the benefit of the people of this city.”
A FESTIVE STREET PARADE
To usher in an exciting summer of events in 2024, the Cape Town Street Parade will see more than 45 minstrel troupes from all over Cape Town perform from Hanover Street in District Six and Rose Street in the Bo Kaap.
Equipped with banjos, guitars, ghoema drums, trombones and tubas, they create a rhythmic symphony for the crowds gathered on the sidelines.
The traditional minstrel music playing throughout the day has become part of the Cape Town’s annual events calendar and the parade enjoys the backing of the municipality.
“The Cape Town Street Parade has huge historical and cultural significance. It represents the rich heritage of our beautiful city and mean so much to thousands of Capetonians who have grown up with the culture,” says the City of Cape Town Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security JP Smith.
“The City of Cape Town’s annual support for the event is to ensure that we can contribute to preserving these traditions for the next generation. We are looking forward to seeing all the performers take to the street, and we call on residents and visitors alike to come out and be a part of it.”
Here’s what you need to know about the Tweede Nuwe Jaar 2024:
• Event is free to the public
• Event takes place from 10:00 to 22:00
• Route starts from Hanover Street and ends on Rose Street, Bo-Kaap
• Seated area on the Grand Parade in front of City Hall
• Troupes march one after the other with static performances in some areas of the route
• Road closures will be in effect from 6am and these roads will be affected
