MEDIA RELEASE                                                                                          27 December 2001

CITY OF CAPE TOWN INVESTS HALF A MILLION IN CAPE TOWN CULTURE

The City of Cape Town has invested R500 000 to ensure that the Cape Malay Choirs (31 December 2001) and the Cape Minstrels Carnival (2 January 2002) will once again entertain locals and visitors with their colourful musical performances.

These annual events are the highlights of the Cape Town festive season that boasts a myriad of festivals that depict the rich cultural heritage of the Mother City.

Newly appointed Cape Town mayor Gerald Morkel says that he is happy that the Cape Malay Choirs, after a long absence, is able to once again join with old traditions and celebrations in the Cape Town Carnival.

The Cape Malay Choirs and Minstrel Carnival have become synonymous with the Cape Town vibe over the New Year. At 10pm on New Year’s Eve, Cape Malay choirs will walk from Keizergracht through the City Centre to Rose Street in the Bokaap and then Plein Street, while entertaining onlookers with traditional songs.

 On 2 January 2002 - otherwise known as Tweede Nuwejaar – the City Centre will come alive with music, song and dance when thousands of minstrels will march from Keizergracht to Rose Street where they will board buses to Green Point stadium and participate in an annual competition that will identify, among others, the best combined chorus and the best-dressed troupe.

The Cape Town Minstrels with their bright costumes and painted faces have become popular icons of Cape Town culture and are frequently used in events to promote tourism and the events industry locally, nationally and internationally.

With backing from the City of Cape Town the Carnival hopes to grow to the point where it will reflect the diverse culture of Cape Town while remaining true to its local roots – much like the Rio Carnival that continues to reflect both the religious side of the Brazilian culture, as well as the vibrant sensual side of the mixed-race metropolis.

“As the highlight of the festive season in Cape Town, the Cape Town Karnaval complements the age old traditions of New Year celebrations in the Mother City and will continue to be one of the important dates in our local events calendar that we promoted worldwide under the banner ‘The Cape of Great Events’, says Morkel.

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