Cape minstrels get green light
CAPE minstrels belonging to the Cape Town Minstrels Carnival Association (CTMCA) will finally have their chance to also perform at the Athlone Stadium, City officials confirmed yesterday.
This is after the City of Cape Town had granted use of the venue to another minstrel board, the Kaapse Klopse Karnival Association (KKKA). The latter runs its annual minstrel competitions every Saturday until mid-February.
The CTMCA had taken the City and the KKKA to court last month to challenge the city’s decision.
The City had granted KKKA a permit to use the stadium and the right to host the annual Tweede Nuwe Jaar street parade in the city centre on January 2.
The City said in a statement yesterday the “displaced troupes” of the CTMCA would be able to host its competitions at the Athlone Stadium on January 20 and 27.
“Following a meeting with some of the members of the displaced troupes yesterday, the City has agreed to work with the individual troupes to host a minstrels competition which will allow them all to compete,” said the City.
The City also pointed out minstrels had not been united and this had made it difficult to organise various events. JP Smith, the City’s mayoral committee member for safety and security, last week said they would consider taking over the minstrel events, as various associations do not co-operate.
The City said different minstrel associations not co-operating meant “many troupes will be sidelined and miss the opportunity to celebrate their heritage and perform for the crowds unless the City intervenes”.
City mayor Dan Plato said they were “addressing this ongoing division within the minstrel community”.