The Colour and Controversy of the Tweede Nuwe Jaar: Cape Town Street Parade Celebrates Kaapse Klopse and Debates New Sponsorship

Cape Town's streets will soon resonate with the sound of ghoema drums and the vibrant colors of satin and sequin costumes as the Hollywoodbets Cape Town Street Parade, also known as the Tweede Nuwe Jaar (Second New Year) celebration, merges tradition and festivity on a grand scale. This year, the event holds even more significance, marking the 20th anniversary of the Kaapse Klopse Karnival Association (KKKA), which organizes the historic carnival.

Muneeb Gambeno, director of the KKKA, articulates the association’s vision: to build upon and enhance the rich tapestry of the Klopse tradition that has been a cornerstone of Cape Town's cultural heritage for over a century. With the KKKA at the helm, the aim is to forge ahead, improving and innovating while honoring their roots.

However, the street parade's new title sponsorship arrangement with betting giant Hollywoodbets has fomented discord within the minstrel community. The sponsorship, valued at R3.5-million per year for three years, positions Hollywoodbets as a prominent player in this cultural festivity—an involvement not unilaterally welcomed. The Cape Town Minstrel Carnival Association, under Sedick Soeker's leadership, fiercely opposed the rename, condemning the perceived disregard for constitutional protocol and the essence of their historic struggles.

Nevertheless, the streets from Rose Street in Bo-Kaap to Hanover Street in District Six will teem with an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 costumed minstrels, a testament to the unyielding spirit of the Klopse. The amalgam of banjos, tambourines, brass instruments, and percussion, led by the unmistakable beat of the ghoema drum, promises to anchor the festivities in its historic roots while reaching out to a wider audience.

Organizers assure that the experience will unravel in a tapestry of independent performances, enabling visitors to immerse themselves fully in the musicality and aura of their favorite troupes.

The event's theme song, "Shake Your Body," epitomizes the collaborative ethos the carnival stands for, having emerged from a creative consortium of artists from across the minstrel community. The celebration will also feature a lineup of local talent, including the comedic stylings of Rezah Forbes and an array of musical performances set to energize the crowd throughout the day.

Practical aspects of the event have been meticulously planned. Access and crowd management will be facilitated with bus drop-offs and the parade will commence at Sir Lowry Road and Hanover Street post-Dhuhr prayer around 1:15 pm.

Safety and decorum are priorities; glass containers, alcohol, drugs, and dangerous weapons are expressly prohibited. Road closures will also be implemented, with the City of Cape Town due to announce specific details to mitigate any inconvenience.

The Hollywoodbets Cape Town Street Parade encapsulates a moment of cultural significance for the city: a celebration of its history, an embrace of its diverse communities, and a formidable challenge in reconciling the push for modern sponsorship with the preservation of tradition.