Carnival with a cohesive and celebratory spirit
THOUSANDS flocked to the Green Point Fan Walk on Saturday to experience the colour, creativity and diversity displayed at the Cape Town Carnival which featured approximately 1 700 dancers, singers and instrument players.
The performers paraded alongside intricate floats around the theme “Mother City, Mother Nature” and eyes widened at the larger-than-life light displays which lit the street. People joined in the celebration and the carnival, which takes place to encourage social cohesion, did just that.
Stellenbosch University’s founding trustee of the Cape Town Carnival, Professor Rachel Jafta, said the carnival reaches more than 5 000 community members in Cape Town as well as about 55 000 spectators annually and apart from being entertaining, it creates jobs and contributes R41 million to the local economy.
Jafta said the carnival, in its ninth year, has proven to be an economic boon for the city where finances generated job creation and social cohesion is concerned.
“The carnival creates jobs and skills transfer opportunities. The carnival also offers opportunities to gain research data and conceptualise research questions that can lead to collaborative solutions with the participating communities,” said Jafta.
Cape Town Carnival chief executive Jay Douwes said the main aim of the event is to foster social cohesion. Independent research indicates the carnival has a significant impact in bringing participating communities and the public together in a safe and celebratory space.
“Participants and spectators are united in love of the Mother City and pride in South African diversity,” said Douwes. – Staff Reporter