The City of Cape Town says it intends to appeal the judgment handed down in the Western Cape High Court on Monday evening, 29 December 2025, which ordered the Metro to provide an alternative venue for the members of the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival Association (CTMCA) to proceed with its minstrel competitions and events.

The CTMCA initiated court proceedings against the City on 27 December 2025, after their booking request for the use of the Vygieskraal Stadium in Athlone was turned down three months earlier, in September.

The City maintains that the initial booking in September was only provisional, and the authority withdrew its permission for use of the venue a few days later, as the CTMCA failed to submit the mandatory documentation required for the processing of an event permit application for their competitions, despite being informed of these requirements.

The City says it identified significant operational and safety concerns, including statutory venue risk-grading and event risk-grading limitations.

“Vygieskraal is graded to accommodate only low-risk events, while minstrel events are classified as medium-risk by SAPS. As such, the venue does not meet the minimum requirements of the Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act to host medium-risk graded events of this nature.”

It remains unclear why the CTMCA waited until 27 December to take the City to court, and not back in September, when their provisional booking for Vygieskraal was withdrawn.

While the Metro is in the process of applying for leave to appeal the court’s order, it will also identify other available venues for the CTMCA, but the only two medium-risk compliant venues, namely Athlone and DHL Stadiums, are not available on the dates requested by the Association.

The City says it acted lawfully throughout, as it has to ensure that all events hosted within Cape Town comply with applicable legislation and safety standards.

“It is also regrettable that the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival Association continues to perpetuate a false narrative that the City does not support minstrel events. This is simply untrue. The City has consistently demonstrated its support for these events by working constructively with compliant Minstrel groups that respect due process and comply with legislative and safety requirements.”

In a statement, the CTMCA hailed the court ruling as a victory for heritage.

“The court has ruled in favour of Mr. Richard Stemmet, vindicating our association and securing the future of our heritage. The judiciary has sent a clear message. The City of Cape Town is now compelled to fulfil its constitutional duty. They are required to assist the CTMCA and ensure compliance, shifting the focus away from private developers and back to the people of this city. This is a win for every citizen who believes that our traditions are not for sale.”

Stemmet has been at the helm of the CTMCA for many years, with allegations of misuse of lotto funding, poor planning and court cases against the City following him and the Association over the years.

Meanwhile, the City has stressed that the judgement and order issued Monday have no bearing on Tweede Nuwe Jaar, as the matter before the court related solely to the CTMCA’s internal competitions and the provision of suitable venues to hold such competitions.

Tweede Nuwe Jaar (Cape Town Street Parade) is managed by the Kaapse Klopse Karnival Association (KKKA), which is a separate organisation.

Tweede Nuwe Jaar is taking place on 5 January 2025, with troupes marching on the fan walk to the DHL Stadium in Green Point.

The City provides funding to the following Minstrel events, which represents the City’s single largest investment in events overall: