Cape Town, South Africa - 2 January 2024: The annual Cape Town Street Parade kicked off from Hanover Street to proceed to historic Bo Kaap. The parade is also colloquially known as the Cape Minstrels or the Kaapse Klopse. The street festival is rooted in colonial history when Malay slaves in the Cape Colony would be given the day off on 2 January by the salve masters and they would celebrate with dance, song and painted faces to poke fun at their masters.
Arthur Alexander a retiree says he has been with Minstrels troops for 52 years and is enjoying the day with his family says they look forward to the parade every year.
Mymoena Davids said they had been camping on the street to secure a spot since the 16th of December and finds it very entertaining and acknowledged that it brought in tourists.
More than 60 000 people are expected to attend this year’s parade and the troops march till late at night past the Cape Town City Hall and ends in the Bo Kaap.