Carnival spirit rocks downtown Tshwane
PRETORIA was a hub of cultural festivities on Heritage Day as 26 000 revellers from all walks of life took part in the annual Gauteng Social Cohesion Carnival.
The city streets were alive with merry scenes, multicoloured costumes, energetic displays, enchanting dance and lively sounds.
Flats dwellers watched from their balconies as participants embarked on a 6.7km walk past lofty buildings in the city centre.
There were splendid scenes as participants from various cultural backgrounds paraded in the streets.
The parade started from WF Nkomo Street at the Tshwane Events Centre and progressed along Bosman and Madiba streets. Participants then walked back to the starting point through Thabo Sehume, Pretorius and Princes Park streets.
Gauteng Premier David Makhura hailed the event as a success, saying the intention was to elevate it to the standard of the famous Rio de Janeiro Carnival.
He said the intention behind the festivities was to encourage the social cohesion of people from diverse cultural backgrounds.
He said the parade had grown from strength to strength since its inception. The plan was to make it bigger and better next year, he added.
MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation Faith Mazibuko said it was pleasing that the event had attracted more young talented people.
“There’s nothing more fulfilling and satisfying than see- ing everyone partying together, embracing our differences and learning from each other,” she said.
Tshwane mayor Solly Msimanga said the capital aimed to boost tourism and have fun with a distinctive city flavour.
Cultural groups lined up in the streets wearing colourful outfits to showcase their diverse talents.
Reveller Sipho Ramokoma was enthralled.
“This helps us get to know each other very well. We had the chance to debunk the cultural myths, stigmas and stereotypes about other tribes,” he said.
The event gave people an opportunity to celebrate origin and heritage.
Shaolen Cheng from China said she had learnt a lot about the diverse cultures of South Africa.
“I brought my children to experience the warmth and excitement of this event.”
Cheng was joined by a Lion Troupe – a traditional dance in Chinese culture and other Asian countries.
A group of performers mimicked a lion’s movements and dressed in a costume of the king of the jungle. “The lion dance is performed during the Chinese New Year and other traditional, cultural and religious festivals,” Cheng said.
Kholofelo Kekana interacted with the dancers.
“This is a beautiful way to celebrate our heritage. I have learnt about other tribes which I often despised as backward.”
Kevin Kenealys said: “People were wearing Pedi, Zulu and pantsula attire in the same street and there was food from different cultures sold. That is what we should see happen annually in the capital.”