“What a show! It was an absolute culture overload. Cape Town really gave it her all tonight.”
It was with these words that Carla Truter (22), an audience member, described her experience at this year’s Cape Town Carnival which took place on Saturday evening.
The Carnival was host to more than 2000 artists who lit up the streets with an array of costumes showcasing this year’s theme: Mother City, Mother Nature.
Events kicked off at 15:00 with performances from artists such as Keegan, Poor Princes, Beeza, Lost & Found, Androgenius, Paxton and Bakai.
The main parade started at 19:00 with a countdown led by the Kfm crew. The Fan Walk, which stretched from the central city to Green Point, was cleared for the artists to showcase their floats, costumes and dance moves.
One of the main attractions at this year’s Carnival, was the larger-than-life model of Mother Nature cradling the Earth in her hands. The float had life-like features such as blinking eyes and a bobbing head.
Mother Nature, towering about ten metres high, with her life-like features. PHOTO: Nicolette van Schalkwyk
Some of this year’s show-stopping floats also included a life-size praying mantis, a rhino and a butterfly.
The Carnival incorporated different sectors of the Cape Town community such as the Fire- and Rescue Services, the Police Department and the taxi industry.
The taxi services was one of the sectors represented at this year’s Cape Town Carnival. PHOTO: Nicolette van Schalkwyk
This march was led by Helen Zille, premier of the Western Cape, who represented the local government by carrying a flag thanking all Cape Town’s “heroes”.
Attention was also given to the representation of different cultural groups. The Kaapse Klopse entertained with their lively music and charm whilst traditional African dances also had the audience stomping their feet to the rhythm.
One of the main representatives of foreign cultures in Cape Town was the Chinese community with their floats of fire-spewing dragons and their traditional Chinese attire and dances.
The Chinese community showcased their cultural attire. PHOTO: Nicolette van Schalkwyk
Sponsors such as Tsogo Sun, Kfm and the Western Cape Government also participated in the Fan Walk with their own floats. Actors of the kykNET soapie Getroud met Rugby as well as dancers from Dancing with the Stars also made their appearance on the runway.
Doretha van Taak (21), a makeup artist at the Carnival, says that only MAC-products were used for the artists. Some of the products are not yet available in South Africa, but were specially imported for the Carnival.
“It was really special working with people who have never had their make-up professionally done.”
Tanielle McCullam, a makeup artist, is doing a performer’s makeup for the show. PHOTO: Doretha van Taak
Jason Smit (24), an audience member, describes this year’s Carnival as his best yet.
“The way in which the Carnival celebrates the diversity of the Cape Town community really warms my heart.”
Melanie Scholtz (24), another audience member, explains the importance of showcasing diversity.
“It is great to see so many different groups getting together and celebrating our unity as Capetonians. It just goes to show what is possible if we put our minds to it.”
According to the Western Cape Government, this “community participation event” creates around 800 part-time job opportunities.
“The long-term vision, however, is to permanently employ people and to expand our skills development programmes.”
The event ended with a Carnival Party which continued into the early morning hours.