Cape Town - Hours of sitting in the blistering sun waiting for the troupes to arrive couldn’t tame the excitement of old and new spectators at Wednesday’s Tweede Nuwe Jaar Minstrel street parade in Cape Town.
Some families slept overnight in Darling Street to ensure they would see the troupes pass, while tourists sipped on cocktails at Mint restaurant in St George’s Mall.
“Never mind the sun we are here to enjoy it. I slept here overnight to make sure our family has front row seats,” said Rhaldia Angus from Manenberg on Wednesday.
She, her family and friends got up every time a troupe passed and sang and danced along to the beats.
Angus said it was disappointing that the Minstrels had started late and that there were long delays between groups.
Cape Town Mayor Patricia de Lille opened the parade at midday but by 5pm only a handful of the approximately 70 troupes had passed the City Hall. The parade was delayed as bus drivers had refused to take performers to the city unless they were paid more.
“We originally agreed with drivers to pay them R500 to R600 per driver for the day, but they unexpectedly demanded between R800 and R900,” said Cape Town Minstrel Carnival Association head Richard Stemmet.
His own troupe, Shoprite Pennsylvanians Crooning Minstrels, only arrived at the top of Keizersgracht in District Six after 4pm and started marching an hour later.
De Lille said she was upset. “We all agreed on a timetable as it was a normal working day for Golden Arrow but then this happened. I think Golden Arrow needs to apologise for the delays. We agreed long before the day to the times,” she said.
The city had appointed events organiser Za Fanzone for R3.5 million to ensure the carnival runs smoothly.
Golden Arrow Bus services spokeswoman Bronwen Dyke said they only leased out the buses to the Minstrels and the association had to organise bus drivers, Golden Arrow employees who were on annual leave, themselves. “We are looking into the matter but for an event like this the drivers are not paid through our normal system… ” said Dyke.
French tourist Pierre Granello said it was exciting to see the parade but complained that intervals between the groups were too long.
Owner of the Fabulous Woodstock Starlites Jamaldien Jumah said: “We are celebrating our 40 years of participating in the Klopse and despite the delays and transport problems we all will enjoy it.”
An estimated 13 000 participated in the parade that started in District Six and ended in the Bo-Kaap.
Cape Times