Mother of all Cape Carnivals plans to keep water in mind

NEXT year the theme for the Cape Town Carnival will be “Mother City, Mother Nature.”

In March 2018 carnival-goers can expect massive floats, music and other activities for families.

Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille said: “The Cape Town Carnival celebrates our vibrant, dynamic city, bringing people from all over Cape Town together, and enhances our efforts of building an inclusive city. We’re proud to be part of an event that attracts visitors to our city and contributes to job creation and economic growth.”

Brad Baard, creative director of the Cape Town Carnival, said the theme emphasises the unique identity of Cape Town: a welcoming, inclusive, creative city, consciously connected to nature and people.

The critical state of Cape Town’s municipal water supply will also be highlighted during the Carnival.

Western Cape Premier Helen Zille said the theme fits in well with the current drought conditions in the province.

“The Western Cape government runs numerous awareness campaigns to address the severe drought that the City of Cape Town is enduring, and the ‘Mother City, Mother Nature’ theme ties in perfectly with this, highlighting our dependence on nature. All South Africans need to be aware of this precious natural resource and support water-saving initiatives,” Zille said.

The Cape Town Carnival’s environmental awareness extends beyond the theme, with the float-builders and costume-makers making extensive use of recycled and re-purposed materials to craft the unforgettable parade artworks every year, and harvesting rainwater to sustain the carnival workshop.

This year’s Cape Town Carnival attracted more than 45000 spectators from across the province, South Africa and the world.

Cape Town Carnival chief executive Jay Douwes said the Carnival supports entrepreneurs and small businesses, and generated work for 1 172 people in 2017.

“The Cape Town Carnival creates jobs, brings people together and entertains in a heartfelt manner,” he said.

Rachel Jafta, chairperson of the Cape Town Carnival Trust said: “The Cape Town Carnival is a beacon of unity and hope. It expresses and reflects the cultural diversity and creativity found in the city. Year after year, I see our dream coming to life because the people of Cape Town rise to the occasion.” – Staff reporter

WATER-WISE: Cape Town is known globally as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, not only for its stunning natural treasures but also its warm and welcoming people. The relevant and topical theme for the Cape Town Carnival on March 17 next...