This weekend gave guests at the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas, Cape Town’s feature race day, a look into what to expect from Africa’s largest cultural festival: the Hollywoodbets Cape Town Street Parade.
The race day, which took place at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday 16 December, featured an unforgettable line-up of action-packed racing and entertainment, with food trucks, a vibrant market, and a supervised kids’ area. However, what really had the spectators talking was the Hollywoodbets “Voorsmaakie” which took place after the races.
The aptly named event (“foretaste” in English) gave guests a preview of the Hollywoodbets Cape Town Street Parade which will take place on Tuesday 2 January 2024. Thousands of Minstrel Troupes from all over Cape Town are set to perform in the streets of the city centre between Hanover Street in District Six and Rose Street in the Bo Kaap.
“The Hollywoodbets Voorsmaakie saw 17 affiliated troupes showcase their new attire, new members and new routines, giving guests a taste of what they can expect,” said Riyaad Peters, Operations Director for the organising committee, The Kaapse Klopse Karnival Association (KKKA). He added that the event showcased the association’s excitement to kick off the season.
This year is the second in the three-year partnership between the KKKA and community-focused betting operator Hollywoodbets.
“It was fantastic hosting the ‘Voorsmaakie’ once again at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth,” said Devin Heffer of Hollywoodbets.
“The 17 troupes’ musical performances capped off the race-day’s theme of ‘Quintessentially Cape Town.’ The Kaapse Klopse plays such a vital role in the preservation and celebration of culture in the Cape, and to have it showcased to the thousands of spectators in attendance on Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas Day really has set things up for a wonderful Hollywoodbets Cape Town Street Parade on the 2nd of January,” he added.
Based on the roaring success of last year’s event, the Hollywoodbets Cape Town Street Parade expects to yet again draw crowds of between 60 000 and 100 000 people, with roughly 20 000 minstrels participating.
Also known as the Tweede Nuwe Jaar Minstrel Parade, the KKKA has been the organiser of the new-format Cape Town Street Parade since its launch in October 2017.
Muneeb Gambeno, Director of the KKKA, says: “We are once again very proud and excited to be organising this iconic Cape Town event which promises the be the best edition ever. Our sincere gratitude to Hollywoodbets, Cape Racing, the City of Cape Town and all our other partners and stakeholders who have committed to deliver this event for the benefit of the people of this City.” Minstrel troupes from all areas across Cape Town will perform in the streets of the city centre, building on the long tradition and legacy of Tweede Nuwe Jaar which has been celebrated in the Cape for over 115 years.
Adorned in colourful outfits with traditional minstrel music playing throughout the day, the festival has become a part of the city’s heritage. So, it comes as no surprise that the Hollywoodbets Cape Town Street Parade is supported by the City of Cape Town.
“The Tweede Nuwe Jaar Parade is an event with huge historical and cultural significance to the people of Cape Town. It represents the rich heritage of our beautiful city and means so much to thousands of Capetonians who have grown up with the culture associated with Minstrels and the Tweede Nuwe Jaar Parade. The City of Cape Town’s annual support for the event is to ensure that we can contribute to preserving this history and culture for the next generation. We are looking forward to seeing all the troupes entertain and welcome the thousands of spectators along the streets,” says JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security.
On 2 January 2024, entertainment starts with an opening ceremony from 13h30 on the Grand Parade with celebrations continuing until 10pm.
The choral competitions will again be presented over a five-week period at Athlone Stadium – under the same banner of the Hollywoodbets Cape Town Street Parade – in January and early February.
