Thousands of performers flooded the streets of Cape Town on Monday for the annual Minstrels’ Parade, known locally as the Kaapse Klopse, turning the city into a vibrant display of music, dance, and brightly coloured satin costumes. Large crowds lined the parade route, cheering as competing troupes marched through the city center. Organizers said about 17 troupes, comprising nearly 20,000 minstrels, took part in the event, which is widely regarded as one of Cape Town’s most important cultural celebrations. The parade is traditionally held around the New Year and draws spectators from across South Africa and abroad.
For performers, the event is both a competition and a celebration of identity. Participants spend months rehearsing songs, choreographed dances, and drum routines, while costume makers work year-round to prepare the elaborate outfits worn on parade day. Spectators say the tradition runs deep in families across the city’s colored communities. Many attend annually to honor parents, grandparents, and ancestors who helped keep the celebration alive through generations.
The Minstrels’ Parade traces its origins back more than 100 years to the era of slavery, when enslaved people of African and Southeast Asian descent were granted a rare day off on New Year’s Day. Over time, the event has evolved into a powerful symbol of resilience, heritage, and community pride, cementing its place at the heart of Cape Town’s cultural identity.
