Events, Festivals and Exhibitions

Cape Town Minstrels Carnival, (Kaapse Klopse)

4 January

Free

Cape Town Minstrels Carnival or Kaapse Klopse is held at the start of the new year in South Africa

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The Cape Town Minstrels Carnival, which used to be known as Kaapse Klopse, is a festival held in the South African city in early January. Also known as the Tweede Nuwe Jaar (or Second New Year), some 13,000 minstrels assemble in klopse (or troupes) and parade through the South African city playing music on trumpets, banjos and, most importantly, the ghoema drums.

The music is an eclectic mix of Indian, Malay, Indonesian, East African and European reflecting the melting pot that was the Cape. But the music also reflects the music of American minstrels. One Malay song is entitled ‘Daar Kom Die Alibama’, after the Alabama ship upon which the minstrels arrived.

Rather than being a general melee of music like in the Rio Carnival or Notting Hill Carnival, at the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival the troupes are spread out so that the music can be heard distinctly without each troupe drowning out the preceding one.

Typically the minstrels come from the Afrikaans-speaking Cape coloured communities, who compete in a series of competitions. Although the parade takes place over just one day, the competitions continue into February at the Athlone Stadium.

Cape Town Minstrels Carnival
A Cape Town minstrel troupe during Kaapse Klopse

History of Kaapse Klopse

The carnival’s history is tainted to say the least, stemming from colonial times when slaves were only permitted one day off per year – 2 January or Tweede Nuwe Jaar. The carnival united the whole Cape creole community for that solitary day.

Although folklore has it that the slaves were given the day off as their masters were too wasted from their celebrations of the day before, the official line is that the Governor at the time wished for the slaves to join in the New Year celebrations.

When slavery was abolished in 1834 the carnival continued, although during the Apartheid regime it was called the Coon Carnival, apparently after the white American minstrels who painted their faces like raccoons.

Traditionally the Kaapse Klopse minstrels also blacken their faces, probably to reflect the American minstrels, although there is an alternative view that it was to preserve their anonymity from their masters.

Unsurprisingly, the carnival changed its name to the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival to avoid derogatory racial slurs, although Justin Trudeau is allegedly supposed to be a big fan of the original moniker.

Cape Town Minstrels Carnival
A minstrel troupe on its way to Athlone stadium, photo Ian Landsberg.

The carnival is seen as a celebration of survival and of renewal, celebrating the community that has survived slavery, segregation and Apartheid.

Kaapse Klopse has also provided the opportunity for many youths to learn how to perform music. Taliep Petersen and Jonathan Butler are just two musicians who have won the Juvenile Sentimental Trophy completion.

Cape Minstrel Troupes

The first carnival troupe was formed in 1887. Now there are more than 20,000 performers and around 20 troupes.

Cape Town Minstrels Carnival Schedule

Kaapse Klopse is held on 4 January 2025. The parade will commence on Hanover Street in District Six, with teams being dropped off near Russell Street. The official procession will start at Sir Lowry Road and Hanover Street. After the Thuhr prayer (midday), the first troupe will start the proceedings at 1:15pm.

All 20 troupes will march along the entire route, starting Darling Street, passing through the Hollywoodbets Purple Mile, and continuing into Adderley Street. The parade will then proceed up Wale Street, past the Company Gardens, cross Buitengracht Street before entering the historic Bo-Kaap neighbourhood (Schotsche Kloof). The route will end on Rose Street.

The event, which will attract between 80,000 and 100,000 people is free to watch, although people have been known to sleep on the streets the night before to secure the best viewing spot.

Tickets for Cape Town Minstrels Carnival

The HollywoodBets Cape Town Street Parade is open to the public at no cost. However, for optimal viewing, tickets for the HollywoodBets Purple Mile grandstand can be. Tickets are available for purchase through Computicket.

Stadium Competitions

Hollywoodbets and KKKA Annual Kaapse Klopse competitions will commence at Athlone Stadium on 1 January 2025, with weekly competitions until 1 February 2025. The troupes will compete in various categories, including the grand march-past, junior and senior drum major, best-dressed troupe, and Klopse.

For further information, click here.

Kaapse Kopse Cape Minstrels
The carnival is a time for celebration, as well as remembrance.

Can’t make this carnival, then try our round-up of the best carnivals around the world.


When is the Capetown Street Parade 2025?

4 January, 2025.

Accommodation in Cape Town

If you are looking for an apartment or hotel in Cape Town during the festival, make sure you book well in advance.

Flights to Cape Town

British Airways flies direct from Heathrow to Cape Town. Alternatively, you can fill in the form below to work out the best flight from the airport nearest to you.


More information on the Kaapse Klopse

For more information on the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival, visit the Carnival Association’s Facebook page. or here.

Things to Do in Cape Town

For further inspiration on what to do in Cape Town during the carnival, click here. Main photo: EPA/NIC BOTHMA.


Details

Date:
4 January
Cost:
Free
Website:
https://www.facebook.com/capetownstreetparade/

Venue

Green Point Stadium
Cape Town,South Africa+ Google Map
Mark Bibby Jackson

Mark Bibby Jackson

Before setting up Travel Begins at 40, Mark was the publisher of AsiaLIFE Cambodia and a freelance travel writer. When he is not packing and unpacking his travelling bag, Mark writes novels, including To Cook A Spider and Peppered Justice. He loves walking, eating, tasting beer, isolation and arthouse movies, as well as talking to strangers on planes, buses and trains whenever possible. Most at home when not at home. Mark is a member and director of communications of the British Guild of Travel Writers (BGTW).

Read more posts by Mark Bibby Jackson →

4 thoughts on “Cape Town Minstrels Carnival, (Kaapse Klopse)

  1. Hi, I would just like to know how and where I can purchase tickets to see the Cape Minstrels, Coons, perform at a Stadium please?

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