Over 60 troupes boast CT's heritage at colourful Minstrel Carnival
The annual Tweede Nuwe Jaar Minstrel Carnival is underway in the Cape Town City Centre this afternoon.
CAPE TOWN - The annual Tweede Nuwe Jaar Minstrel Carnival is officially underway through the streets of Cape Town and over 60 troupes are marching through the City Centre this afternoon.
But as in previous years, the event started almost two hours late.
#CTMinstrels The annual #TweedeNuweJaar carnival is now officially underway! AH pic.twitter.com/CADQ3ZxTBo
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) January 2, 2016
Thousands of Capetonians have come from all over, to get a glimpse of the colourful festivities in the Cape Town CBD this afternoon.
Families from Hanover Park wait for the parade on Darling Street in the Cape Town City Centre. Picture: Aletta Harrison/EWN
Minstrel troupes, including the Woodstock Starlets, the Rainbow Nations, the Manenberg Superstars, the Nokia All Stars and the Carnival Boys are parading through the streets in their colourful and dazzling outfits.
#CTMinstrels The District 6 Hanover Monstrels will be starting off the parade. SF pic.twitter.com/cJcoBgiObw
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) January 2, 2016
Close to 30, 000 minstrels are participating in the festivities.
Ishmail Buffkins will be judging the troupes, to determine which group is the best dressed.
#CTMinstrels For those who have never experienced it - an amazing example of the traditional face pulling AH pic.twitter.com/KDNEQPlmOC
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) January 2, 2016
He says, "People grow up with this, like I have. The carnival's been here for over 60 years now and it's like it was then. It's our heritage."
Buffkins says he's proud to see so many people coming out to celebrate their heritage.
