- Months of planning and designing, long rehearsal hours and carefully selected songs are just some of the preparations that go into putting the Cape Town Carnival Parade together.
- This year spectators are in for a treat, as over 1 400 performers will bring all the “lekker” vibes to the Green Point Fan Walk on Saturday 16 March.
- Tracey Carter, performance director of the carnival, says once the theme has been decided everything else falls into place.
Months of planning and designing, long rehearsal hours and carefully selected songs are just some of the preparations that go into putting the Cape Town Carnival Parade together.
This year spectators are in for a treat, as over 1 400 performers will bring all the “lekker” vibes to the Green Point Fan Walk on Saturday 16 March.
Tracey Carter, performance director of the carnival, says once the theme has been decided everything else falls into place.
“We spend a lot of time conceptualising the theme, discussing what the story is that we are telling and how it relates to where we are as a community. After all, we want to tell a truly authentic story.”
She said this year’s “Lekker” theme celebrates the country’s diversity.
“It is about celebrating all the lekker aspects of being a South African. The music we chose are songs the audience will love and dance to but also speak to the theme and the story. It takes quite a bit of creativity to put it all together.”
Carter added that performers work as a team to bring spectators a spectacular performance.
“We allow the groups to submit music choices they feel will work for their part because we want to keep people on board with the process.
She explained the emphasis is also on celebrating South African artists.
“Because we have such diverse music, we try to celebrate it as much as we can.”
During a tour of the Cape Town Carnival creative home in Maitland on Thursday 15 February, the media and guests got a behind-the-scenes look at all the work and preparations. Prof Rachel Jafta, chair of the Cape Town Carnival Trust, said organising this had come a long way since the first parade in 2010.
“We have come a long way to what spectators have become accustomed to seeing on the fan walk,” she said.
“This year, you will see a spectacular show coming down the fan walk, but a lot of work goes into it before we get there. We would like to thank everyone who supports us, for without you this would not be possible.”
Lebohang Litsili started working at the carnival in 2012 as a welder. He also performed in the carnival parade as a stilt walker. However, he found his passion in the fabrication department.
Thandi Swartbooi, coordinator for the Ithemba Labantu Dance group, said its dancers are delighted to be participating again this year. The Philippi-based group consists of 45 performers.
“We are excited and we cannot wait to showcase our talent to the spectators.”
Chad Abrahams, costume supervisor, explained his small team of 10 people had started with the sewing of costumes in November last year.
“There are more than 1 400 performers, so we started with the costumes of the community groups first. Then we did the costumes of the lead performers. We are now heading towards the end stage of the production process. It is very exciting, hard work and stressful, but it pays off in the end.”
Abrahams said people can look forward to a lekker carnival and lekker costumes.
People’s Post is the print media partner of the carnival.
