Ryan Swano
Cape Town is Once Again Ready to Kick Off the New Year With its Much-Loved Annual Cultural Celebration. Kaapse Klopse Season is Upon Us and There is a Bit of a Shake-Up Around The Dates That Different Events Will Take Place but Do Not Fret.
This is By Far Not the First Time it Happens that the Tweede Nuwejaar Street Parade is Not Held on the 2nd of January and it Can Easily Be Explained.
What we have been promised is that though the date has been moved, the entertainment will still be as awesome as ever.
Instead of having a traditional Street Parade on Tweede Nuwe Jaar which is the 2nd of January, the Hollywoodbets Cape Town Street Parade will this year take place on Saturday, 4 January 2025 with the first rounds of the highly competitive Hollywoodbets KKKA Annual Kaapse Klopse Competitions will take place at Athlone Stadium on New Year’s Day.
One of the greatest features of the Hollywoodbets Cape Town Street Parade is that entrance for all attendees is free, except for the main spectator grandstand aka The Hollywoodbets Purple Mile that seats a limted number of 700 people who need to prebook at Computicket at R150 per ticket.
Demarcated viewing spaces along the rest of the route are entirely free.
Not the First Time the Dates are Changed
There are good reasons for the shuffling of dates for the 2025 Kaapse Klopse Season.
Those who understand Cape Town Culture and the Klopse Tradition will know that a sizeable percentage of proponents and participants are of Cape Malay origins and/or adherents of the Muslim faith.
For 2025 the 2nd of January falls on a Thursday. Although most non-Muslims know that Friday is the weekly holy day, Jumu’ah, for Muslims, since every new day for Muslims, as well as for Jews, starts at sunset and not at midnight or sunrise, Thursday evenings are indeed also part of the Islamic weekly holy day. Sunset, the time when Maghrib prayers are offered, on a Thursday means that it is the start of Jumu’ah.
With the Klopse Tweede Nuwe Jaar Street Parade traditionally lasting way past sunset, as in the past the street parade will not take place on the 2nd of January if that date were to fall on a Thursday or Friday and also as far as we are aware, but speaking under correction, also not when the 2nd falls on a Sunday.
The Organisers Have Upped Their Game
The 2024 Hollywoodbets Cape Town Street Parade was an awesome spactacle for Capetonians, visitors from other parts of the country and for international tourists alike and Bruinou.com was there.
For 2025 on Saturday 4 January, the Hollywoodbets Cape Town Street Parade promises to up the ante and deliver an even better showcase of the best of Cape Town’s vibrant heritage, music, and traditions than the year before.
The Cape Town Street Parade will see over 20 000 performers from 18 minstrel troupes parade through the city, starting in District Six and marching along the Hollywoodbets Purple Mile to Bo-Kaap. Expect dazzling costumes, energetic ghoema music, and a jubilant atmosphere as 80 000 to 100 000 spectators gather to celebrate this time-honoured tradition.
Muneeb Gambeno, Director of the Kaapse Klopse Karnival Association (KKKA), shared his excitement, saying: “This is a cornerstone of Cape Town culture, where performers, families, and communities come together for a jol to remember. Don’t miss it!”
In 2024 we witnessed the excellent cooperation the organisers, KKKA and Hollywoodbets, had with the City of Cape Town Metropolitan Council and the South African Police Services.
JP Smith, Mayoral Committee for Safety and Security shared: “The City of Cape Town is proud to once again partner with the KKKA for the Cape Town Street Parade, a Mother City tradition that goes back to the 19th century. As the City, working with the KKKA and other roleplayers, we are putting in place measures to ensure roads are clear for the troupes and for the spectators to enjoy the festivities in a safe and family-friendly environment.”
The Main Stage Entertainment
Aside from the carnival atmosphere created by the 20000-strong 18 participating minstrel troupes, there will also be an awesome line-up of entertainers on the main stage at the steps of the City Hall across from the Grand Parade main spectator grandstand aka The Hollywoodbets Purple Mile.
The main stage will come alive with the Official Host MC being Comedian Ashley Pienaar who will be introducing live bands, singers, dance crews and a host of other entertaining surprises to spectators on the Hollywoodbets Purple Mile and in adjacent areas and those who can catch a glimpse from the edges of the Grand Parade.
A Celebration of Community and Culture
Devin Heffer, Brand and Communications Manager at Hollywoodbets, emphasizes the importance of the event: “This celebration isn’t just about entertainment—it uplifts communities, empowers local SMMEs, and highlights our city’s rich cultural heritage. The Hollywood Foundation’s back-to-school initiatives further extend the spirit of giving during this festive time.”
We at Bruinou.com have always and will continue to highlight the Cultural Importance of Cape Town’s Minstrel and Kaapse Klopse Culture and Tradition.
As we did in 2024 we will once again be covering the events on the day live from City Hall and Hollywoodbets Purple Mile, so if you recognise Ryan, don’t be shy, step up to hi to say Hi.
As mentioned further above, entry to watch the Street Parade is free for all attendees in demarcated areas all along the route.
Prohibited Items include Alcohol, Drugs, Glass Containers, and Weapons.
For regular updates as when to tickets go live on sale and all things Hollywoodbets KKKA Annual Kaapse Klopse Competitions as well as the Hollywoodbets Cape Town Street Parade, follow:
● Facebook: Cape Town Street Parade
● Instagram: @capetownstreetparade
● Twitter: @CTstreetparade
Celebrate the start of 2025 with the rhythm, colour, and gees of Cape Town!
