AS PARTICIPANTS pack away their sequined suits and face paint, People’s Post looks back on the minstrel season that was.
The season got off to a positive start when minstrel associations and leaders negotiated terms with members of the Provincial Government and City of Cape Town surrounding permission to march through Bo-Kaap. The procession was disallowed for two years owing to complaints from residents living in the historic area.
The article “Minstrels work it out with City” (11 October 2011) highlighted the meeting held between representatives from each party, which was headed by independent mediator Kate O’Reagan, a constitutional court judge.
Minstrel leaders remained optimistic about the end-of-year celebrations (“Cape minstrel battle continues”, 1 November 2011), with Executive Mayor Patricia de Lille remaining adamant that she was “firmly committed to making the annual Cape Minstrel Carnival an event that everyone can be proud of”. Later that month the two parties agreed that all minstrel leaders sign a code of conduct.
The article “The return of the minstrels” (15 November 2011) saw permission being granted for the troupes to march along their old routes, as well as authorisation to host the “Tweede Nuwe Jaar” celebrations on 2 January. Word spread quickly about the old battleground being back on the cards, which prompted several minstrel troupes to up their game and give spectators a memorable show.
. The season got off to a slow start, when the annual “Tweede Nuwe Jaar” celebrations started five hours later than scheduled. “And the beat goes on” (17 January) highlighted the delayed start to the season, which saw 40 000 troupe members and 80 000 spectators participating in the event.
As the weeks went by, minstrel teams slugged it out at the Athlone and Vygieskraal stadiums, competing in events such as Coon Song, Juvenile Combined Chorus, Adult Sentimental, Best Dressed and a string of other vocal and performance categories. At the end of the day, there could only be one winner.
At Vygieskraal Stadium, the Fabulous Seawind Entertainers walked away as champions, ahead of their 25th anniversary next year.
The win elicited much excitement to one of Cape Town’s oldest troupes. They claimed 12 trophies in the build-up to their Highest Points trophy.
In the Super League final held at Athlone Stadium, where most of the big names participated, defending champions Santam District Six Entertainers managed to successfully defend their title, walking away as “Carnival Kings”.
The article, “Carnival Kings yet again” (14 February), focused on the team’s 13 trophies won during the competition.