All set for Tweede Nuwe Jaar parade despite route change controversy

THOUSANDS of people are expected to line parts of the city centre on Monday for the official Tweede Nuwe Jaar street parade despite preparations for this year’s event being marred by controversy over the route change. 

The City maintained that the Tweede Nuwe Jaar Festival hosted by the Kaapse Klopse Karnival Association (KKKA) would go ahead along the contested route, from Chiappini Street, along Somerset Road, before heading into the DHL stadium.

Muneeb Gambeno, spokesperson for the KKKA said there was “an incredible” sense of pride, excitement and anticipation among troupes and communities.

He said KKKA’s decision to bring the parade into the DHL Stadium was a powerful statement that shows how far the tradition has come and affirms its rightful place on the biggest stages in the country.

"The celebrations extend beyond the official Tweede Nuwe Jaar street parade, with the KKKA’s Athlone Stadium competitions kicking off on Saturday, 10 January, also expected to draw significant crowds of up to 20 000 spectators."

City spokesperson Luthando Tyhalibongo said for the first time, the street parade will also be broadcast live on national television, starting on SABC 2 from 12.00. 

“This historic broadcast allows South Africans everywhere to share in the joy, pride and spectacle of the parade, further cementing its role as a unifying cultural moment. The City is proud to support the KKKA for this historic annual event, which spectacularly showcases Cape Town’s unique and vibrant culture. Funding for Minstrel events represents the City’s single largest investment in events overall,” he said. 

Somerset Road, Green Point Main Road, Prestwich Street, Chiappini Street, Ebenezer Road and Waterkant Street will be among the major roads affected by road closures between 6am and 9pm.

Meanwhile the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival Association (CTMCA) has called on the provincial government to formally recognise and protect the traditional parade route as a Cultural Heritage Route.

The CTMCA said that the decision to move the iconic road march from the salve route to the Somerset road "fan walk" amounts to cultural erasure.

Organisers said the changes represent multiple setbacks, including financial exclusion, “physical removal from our historical homeland, economic sabotage of street vendors, and an unethical alliance with predatory capitalism”. 

The association recently won a legal battle against the City over refusing venue permits for the CTMCA’s Tweede Nuwe Jaar events, where the court ordered the municipality to make a venue available.  

Sedick Soeker from the CTMCA said the protest march was a huge success, “our aims and objectives have been achieved, we’ve reclaimed the streets of Cape Town”. 

Cape Times