Minstrels finally agree to hold parade on January 17

THE city and minstrels body, the Cape Cultural Events and Carnival Committee, have agreed to hold the annual Tweede Nuwe Jaar march on January17, and the committee confirmed they will join the ANC for its 103 birthday celebrations at Cape Town Stadium tomorrow.

The ANC would supply their transport, the committee said.

Committee CEO Richard Stemmet said the 40 000 min- strels belonging to the committee will use the fan walk to Cape Town Stadium.

Committee interim secretary, Charles Fisher said: “The minstrels will participate at the Cape Town stadium on Saturday. We received an invite to this in 2014. The annual minstrel carnival will be held on January 17,” he said.

”A follow-up meeting with the City would take place on Tuesday,” he said.

“The City called for the meeting today with senior members of the committee in order to resolve any outstanding issues and to ensure that this important historic event takes place” acting mayor Brett Herron said.

Herron said the city agreed to continue supporting the committee as per their partnership agreement.

“There are still some outstanding event plans and legislative requirements. The committee, which is responsible for managing the event, has agreed to address all of the outstanding legal requirements and submit all neces- sary plans by close of business on Monday, 12 January12.”

The carnival is normally held on January 2.

January 2 fell on a Friday, a prayer day for Muslims, and on January 3 Muslims celebrated Mawlid (the birth of the Prophet). January 5 was then agreed as the new date, but was cancelled. The committee claimed the city did not support them in the change of plans and their troupes did not have transport to the city centre.

The city said Fritz Sonnen- berg, Vlei roads and Helen Suzman Boulevard would be temporarily closed or restricted for the ANC birthday celebration tomorrow.

Parking restrictions will be in place from midnight to 7pm tomorrow in Strand, Keizersgracht and Prestwich Streets.

Public transport services in the Green Point and CBD areas may be re-routed. Traffic enquiries can be directed to the city’s Transport Information Centre (free from a Telkom landline) on 0800 65 64 63.