Cape Town: The Tweede Nuwe Jaar celebration has achieved a success milestone after it drew an estimated 100,000 supporters and 20,000 minstrels. The Kaapse Klopse Karnival Association (KKKA) said that the HollywoodBets Cape Town Street Parade held on Saturday worked bigger and better with 18 troupes who participated as one team and supported 2,000 members.
Reportedly, the organizers recorded that only one adult female from a troupe was treated medically for possible exhaustion. The annual street parade was held since 1907 followed by the abolishment of slavery in Cape Town in 1834. Tweede Nuwe Jaar signifies the Dutch settlers who allowed their slaves to get the day off on Jan 02, 2025.
Western Cape Cultural Affairs and Sport MEC – Ricardo Mackenzie was also present there and said that it was a celebration that formed part of the Cape’s rich history and culture. He stated that the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport is proud to support the important tradition of the Tweede Nuwe Jaar celebrations as it is a very significant part of the province’s history.
Mackenzie added that they will continue to support these celebrations as part of the tapestry of a wonderful cultural heritage. He extended his gratitude to the estimated 100,000 people who lined the streets of the city centre that showed the commitment from everyone in supporting the cultural heritage.
Nuwe Jaar event featured Phantoms, Juvie Boys Entertainers, West London All Stars, Playaz INC and many others who showcased their colourful outfits, dance moves, jovial faces and musical instruments from young to old, considering everyone. Whereas the loyal supporters pitched tents and marquees along the streets of the CBD days to secure a spot in the front row.
This included Leighton Mouton from Wynberg Boys’ High School who got popular on social media for the viral ‘HOYA’ war cry for the Bokke. The event welcomed Springbok Captain Siya Kolisi last year and was a part of the TV Star team. The event also saw the artists such as Youngsta CPT and took the stage via the troupe Philadelphians and that of Fagrie Isaacs, local musician who was a part of the Playaz INC.
Director of Kaapse Klopse Karnival Association – Muneeb Gambeno said that the 2025 edition of the event saw talent like no other and that no major incidents were reported. The favourites Juvie Boys Entertainers to the West London All Stars saw come back of one team after a year on not competing. The overall troupes did very well and the crowd went mad for everyone.
The Street Parade was bigger than ever and no incidents were reported but recorded one or two medical incidents. This year’s carnival was fantastic as it recorded a clean report and the stakeholders from politicians to religious leaders to everyone said that this was a good thing for people.
Considerably, a woman from troupe became ill but medics took her away on a stretcher and it may be due to tiredness and exhaustion. KKKA Director Gambeno added that the competition was not over and the troupes will compete until February 01, 2025.
Gambeno added that the teams will be split into two sections and the first section will take place on Saturday, Jan 11, 2025. Baydu Adams of Juvie Boys Entertainers joined the parade with a former radio personality Trevor Davids and a comedian Wayne Mckay.
He said that the event was all well planned and appealed for more water stations for the next parade year. They had an amazing time but the heat and the sun were a little problem. An extra water station would be a good idea to arrange.
The energy and vibe of the fest witnessed few instances where places were called over the fence into the road and ignored the security as they managed to finish early around 8:00 p.m.
Notably, the Western Cape medical Emergency Services and Traffic and Law Enforcement of City of Cape Town told the Cape Argus that they had no major events or incidents to repot during the event. The City of Cape Town said that the estimated cost of the road parade event would be divulged at a later stage.