UPDATE: Court win for minstrels; City ordered to assist

The Cape Town Minstrel Carnival Association has won an urgent court bid against the City of Cape Town in connection with a minstrel parade.

This association took the City to court after it withdrew approval for the use of Vygieskraal Stadium in Athlone for its minstrel competition.

The matter was heard in court on Monday, where the Western Cape High Court ruled late that night that the City must provide a suitable alternative venue to allow troupes to participate.

The ruling comes amid growing public scrutiny over logistical changes to the annual minstrel celebrations, such as the Tweede Nuwe Jaar.

@brettherronsa #greenscreen What role did the DA City of Cape Town play in the desecration of a centuries old Cape heritage event? Name changed, date changed, route changed. #tweedenuwejaar #cityofcapetown #democraticalliance #heritage ♬ Last Summer – Tele Music

The EFF Joins the Minstrel Fraternity on Condemning the Commercialism of Heritage as the DA-Led City of Cape Town and KKKPA Reroute Historic Parade
-The parade is now envisaged to start in Lower Chiappini Street, move along Somerset Road, and conclude inside DHL Stadium. This… pic.twitter.com/i2XxgVNFOp
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) December 27, 2025

In a statement, before the court hearing, the City moved to clarify that the court matter was not related to the annual Tweede Nuwe Jaar event.

Additionally, it noted that Tweede Nuwe Jaar is organised by the Kaapse Klopse Karnival Association, which expressed its intention for the street parade to run to Green Point via Somerset Road, instead of the usual route.

“The KKKA approached the City early in 2025 with the intention of gaining the municipality’s support for its proposal to take the road march to Green Point via Somerset Road… The KKKA has since applied for the road march to go through the fanwalk down Somerset Road and into DHL Stadium. That application, along with safety and logistical plans are in the final stages of scrutiny before a permit is issued.”

Further to this, the City stressed that it is not the organiser of the minstrel parade and does not determine the route of the event. The City said its Events Permit Office is “currently finalising the permit application for the 2026 Tweede Nuwe Jaar Parade or the Cape Town Street Parade”.

“The permit review process is still under way, and a decision will be made in the coming week once all the plans have been finalised.”

The City emphasised that it is “not the custodian nor the organiser”, adding that it cannot and does not decide on the route of the road march.

“That decision resides with the minstrel fraternity.”

The municipality’s role is regulatory, with the Events Permit Office tasked to evaluating the application and to ensure that all plans are compliant with By-Laws.

The City said it “has lent its support to the move on condition that the organisation submits plans for the proper management of the event route”.

About 20,000 performers are expected to march from Chiappini Street along the 1.2km route, with the event pencilled in for Monday, 5 January 2026, pending final approval.

The City also sought to distance the parade from ongoing legal proceedings.

“It pertains to a different minstrel grouping, namely the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival Association.”

A City spokesperson, Luthando Tyhalibongo, said the City will be filing its opposing papers at the court on Monday.

*This article has been updated to include the latest on the court matter.