Tweede Nuwe Jaar Street Parade and other events postponement

CAPETONIANS across cultures will have to bend their traditions this festive season with the recent announcement that the Minstrels, Malay choir and Christmas Bands have postponed their events due to Covid-19.

The City said due to the national state of disaster regulations which govern the number of people at gatherings, the Tweede Nuwe Jaar Street Parade and the Malay Choir Board Road March, as well as the accompanying competitions would be moved to 2021.

SA United Christmas Bands Board president Michael Heuvel said they would not be able to embark on their annual Christmas Eve Parade during which they performed in various neighbourhoods.

The annual Christmas Bands competition would also be held later, he said, adding that no date for it had yet been set. “We have been in contact with the City, and would like to do the right thing by ensuring everyone’s safety amid the pandemic. We also go out every year and perform in communities to keep the spirit alive. We can’t do that this year either. It’s going to be a lot different this year,” Heuvel said.

Kaapse Klopse Karnival Association (KKKA) director Muneeb Gambino and the Cape Malay Choir Board’s Ismail Ely echoed the “safety-first” approach, both saying their events have been moved to June.

Gambino said the Cape Town Street Parade, popularly known as the Tweede Nuwe Jaar Street Parade, will tentatively take place on June 16.

“The recent increase in infections is an indication of the difficult few months ahead and as such, the directors and leaders of the KKKA and its troupes decided to postpone the Cape Town Street Parade to June 16, 2021, subject to us being able to host the event in a safe and compliant manner.

“While it is very disappointing, we are proud of our decision and we hope that this is a further expression of our absolute commitment to transform this carnival into a safe and inclusive celebration of our culture that we can all be proud of,” Gambino said.

Ely said in the interest of the safety of patrons and members, the best thing to do at this stage was to postpone the annual road march to a later date, June 15, 2021, subject to being back to normality.