Colourful costumes, floats and artistic performances suitable for the whole family can be expected as the Cape Town Carnival parade returns to its former glory along the Green Point Fan Walk in March following a two-year hiatus.
During a media launch held on Thursday 19 January at the Nasdak in the Media24 Building, organisers of the event announced that the spectacle will be going ahead on Saturday 18 March.
Jay Dowes, Chief Executive Officer of the carnival, says they are elated to bring the event back to the people.
“It is so fabulous to be working again in the communities and working with creativity and we are looking forward to being back on the fan walk. It is amazing how much creativity comes out of our communities.”
Rachel Jaftha, chair of the Cape Town Carnival Trust, says on the day about 1 600 participants, from various communities across the city, will take part in the parade.
Jaftha says with this year’s theme being Afr-energy, spectators can look forward to an array of energetic and unique performances.
“Our experience during the pandemic inspired the theme. We’ve learned how we can dig deep and find energy where we thought we had none and this is what the Cape Town Carnival community demonstrated, supporting each other and finding a way to survive and staying prepared for the carnival even though they didn’t know when it will happen again. It is this collective power that we celebrate in Afr-energy.”
Jaftha says audiences will be able to interact with some of the performers.
“On the fan walk this year there will be moments where the performers will take a bit of time to interact with the audience. In previous years we’ve had about 55 000 spectators, so we hope they will come back in full force and come and enjoy the parade.”
Maluva Gandiwa, Construction Team Leader of the Cape Town Carnival, says he started as a cleaner 10 years ago.
“I am so grateful I got that opportunity that I got 10 years ago. It took me from the streets where I was about to do drugs. I have learned so much and I am now the construction team leader.
“My wish is for the wings of Cape Town Carnival to stretch further and reach out to all the youth on the streets.”
Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis says the City is a proud partner of the event.
“Cape Town’s events scene, artistic expression is back with a bang. That is wonderful to see, we are proud supporters of this event and others that add so much texture, diversity, energy and excitement to our city. I cannot wait to watch the incredible show in a few weeks.”
Anroux Marais, Western Cape Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, says the Cape Town Carnival is one of the spaces where the youth can give expression to their creative side.
“Young creatives are given the opportunity to showcase their skills in the parade. It is also a joyous experience to see children watching the parade and seeing their faces light up even our older people. This is how we can bring hope to the people of our province through the power of the art sector. We must create the spaces that allow children to dream about their future in new and exciting ways.”
People’s Post and Media24 are the proud print sponsor of the event. Other sponsors include the Western Cape Government, City of Cape Town, KFM 94.5, Southern Sun, DSTV, MultiChoice and the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport.
