The official Tweede Nuwe Jaar street parade takes place through Green Point on Monday, 5 January, with the event expected to have a significant impact on several roads in and around the Green Point area.

This event – organised by the Kaapse Klopse Karnival Association – will see around 20,000 performers march from Chiappini Street, entertaining crowds along the 1,2 km stretch of Somerset Road before heading into the DHL stadium. Both the route and date were decided by the organisers.

Somerset Road, Green Point Main Road, Prestwich Street, Ebenezer Road and Waterkant Street are among the other major roads affected by road closures between 06:00 and 21:00. Access will only be provided for residents, permit holders, hotel guests and staff.

Spectators are advised that there will be no parking allowed on side streets in Green Point. Vehicles parked illegally, in designated no-stopping zones or in front of residential properties will be towed away.

Free public parking will be made available in P9 and P10 on Bill Peters Drive in Green Point. Spectators are also advised of paid parking at the V&A Waterfront, which has open-air and underground parking bays available to the public.

The street parade is free of charge to the public, while tickets for the Minstrel competitions, taking place inside the DHL Stadium, are available for purchase.

FULL LIST OF ROAD CLOSURES: 

The City has reiterated that Tweede Nuwe Jaar is a completely separate event not to be confused with the court application brought by a different minstrel organisation – the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival Association, which relates to the CTMCA’s “late and incomplete event application for the use of Vygieskraal stadium.”

The City says it has already offered to assist the CTMCA with available dates for Athlone stadium and awaits provisional bookings and permit applications in this respect. Troupes affiliated with the CTMCA held a protest parade in Bo-Kaap on Saturday, 3 January.

International reaction is intensifying following a dramatic United States military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in Caracas.

The unprecedented raid, confirmed by Washington on Saturday, has sent shockwaves through the international community, with governments divided over the legality and implications of the action. Developments continue to unfold as US President Donald Trump claimed the United States would place Venezuela under temporary American control following the operation.

Speaking after the strikes, Trump said the US was “going to run” Venezuela until what he described as a “safe, proper and judicious transition” of power could be achieved. He did not provide details on how such control would be administered.

Trump also said US companies would be sent into Venezuela to repair the country’s oil infrastructure, arguing this would help “start making money for the country”. He added that the United States was prepared to launch a second military strike if necessary, though he suggested it was unlikely to be required.

Referring to Maduro as an illegitimate dictator, Trump spoke of a future “partnership” between the US and Venezuela that would make Venezuelans “rich, independent and safe”. He confirmed that Maduro and his wife were being flown to New York to face drug trafficking-related charges and so-called narco-terrorism, allegations the Venezuelan leader has previously denied.

In Caracas, Venezuela’s Supreme Court moved swiftly to address the leadership vacuum. The Constitutional Chamber ruled that Vice President Delcy Rodríguez would assume the role of acting president in Maduro’s absence, citing the need to guarantee administrative continuity and the comprehensive defence of the nation.

Rodríguez rejected any authority claimed by the Trump administration over Venezuela’s political future, insisting the country would ignore US instructions on succession. She has demanded the immediate return of Maduro and his wife, maintaining that Maduro remains Venezuela’s legitimate president and describing his removal as a kidnapping.

South Africa condemns US action

South Africa has joined a growing list of countries expressing alarm over the developments. In a statement, the Government of the Republic of South Africa said it viewed the US action as a “manifest violation” of the United Nations Charter, which prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of sovereign states.

Pretoria said the UN Charter does not authorise external military intervention in matters that fall within a country’s domestic jurisdiction, warning that history has shown such invasions lead only to instability and deepening crises. South Africa called on the UN Security Council to urgently convene to address the situation and uphold international peace and security.

European leaders divided

European leaders have also reacted cautiously, with responses reflecting deep divisions.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Britain was not involved in the operation and that he intended to speak to Trump to establish the facts before commenting further.

French President Emmanuel Macron called for Venezuela’s 2024 opposition candidate, Edmundo González, whom he referred to as president, to oversee a peaceful and democratic transition.

Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Maduro had “led his country to ruin”, but added Berlin was still assessing whether the US action breached international law.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said external military intervention was not the correct way to end totalitarian regimes, though she argued it could be legitimate to defend against threats to national security.

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said Madrid did not recognise Maduro’s government but would also not recognise an intervention that violated international law, calling for respect for the UN Charter.

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the EU has repeatedly stated that Maduro lacks legitimacy, but urged restraint and respect for international law.

Venezuela and the world have been left reeling after the United States carried out a “large-scale strike” against the country in Caracas on Saturday.

A few months before this attack, the Trump administration had launched a major naval deployment in the Caribbean Sea and a series of airstrikes on Venezuelan boats that had killed at least 17 people.

US President Donald Trump also announced earlier that US forces had captured Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, and that they were flown out of the country.

Trump says this operation was conducted in conjunction with US Law Enforcement.

Attorney General Pam Bondi later said Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were indicted in the Southern District of New York.

According to Bondi, Maduro has been charged with Narco-Terrorism Conspiracy, Cocaine Importation Conspiracy, Possession of Machineguns and Destructive Devices, and Conspiracy to Possess Machineguns and Destructive Devices against the United States.

“They will soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts. On behalf of the entire U.S. DOJ, I would like to thank President Trump for having the courage to demand accountability on behalf of the American People, and a huge thank you to our brave military who conducted the incredible and highly successful mission to capture these two alleged international narco traffickers.”

Maduro’s government issued a strongly worded statement condemning the attacks, declaring a national emergency.

“The aim of this attack is none other than to seize Venezuela’s strategic resources, particularly its oil and minerals, in an attempt to forcibly undermine the nation’s political independence. They will not succeed. After more than two hundred years of independence, the people and their legitimate government remain steadfast in defending sovereignty and the inalienable right to determine their own destiny. The attempt to impose a colonial war to destroy the republican form of government and force a “regime change,” in alliance with the fascist oligarchy, will fail just like all previous attempts.”

In mid-December, Trump spoke about Venezuelan oil, claiming that the South American country took American oil rights and threw US companies out of the country. He also alluded that the US would seek to regain that control.

Venezuela nationalised its oil industry in 1976, transferring control from foreign companies (like Exxon, Mobil, Shell) to a state-owned company, ostensibly to gain economic sovereignty over its vast reserves.

Maduro has reportedly ordered all national defence plans to be implemented at the appropriate time and circumstances, calling on the entire country to “mobilise to defeat this imperialist aggression.”

It is unclear exactly where Maduro is.

In a statement shared on social media, the Venezuelan government says it reserves the right to exercise legitimate defence to protect its people, its territory, and its independence.

“We call on the peoples and governments of Latin America, the Caribbean, and the world to mobilize in active solidarity against this imperial aggression.”

Several allies of Venezuela have expressed outrage at what they call US military aggression.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry said the American attack on Venezuela is a blatant violation of the country’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“The US military attack on Venezuela constitutes a clear violation of the fundamental principles of the UN Charter and the basic rules of international law, particularly Article 2(4) of the Charter, which prohibits the threat or use of force, and fully qualifies as an act of aggression. It must be explicitly and immediately condemned by the UN and by all states that are committed to the rule of law, as well as to international peace and security.”

Russia echoed these views, stating that the pretexts used to justify these actions are untenable. Russia has affirmed its solidarity with the Venezuelan people.

Cuba and Mexico have also condemned the attack.

The President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, has said the bombings on Venezuelan territory and the capture of its President crossed an unacceptable line.

“These acts represent a grave affront to Venezuela’s sovereignty and yet another extremely dangerous precedent for the entire international community. Attacking countries, in flagrant violation of international law, is the first step towards a world of violence, chaos, and instability, where the law of the strongest prevails over multilateralism.”

He has urged the international community, through the United Nations, to respond vigorously.

“Brazil condemns these actions and remains available to promote dialogue and cooperation.”

The European Union has expressed deep concern. The EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, says she has spoken with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the Ambassador in Caracas. The EU is closely monitoring the situation in Venezuela.

“The EU has repeatedly stated that Mr Maduro lacks legitimacy and has defended a peaceful transition. Under all circumstances, the principles of international law and the UN Charter must be respected. We call for restraint. The safety of EU citizens in the country is our top priority.”

Seven young men, who recently jumped into shallow water, have broken their necks and will never walk again. This has led to the Spinal Unit at Grootte Schuur Hospital in Cape Town issuing a safety alert. 

Professor Nicholas Kruger says, “They are now permanently disabled and will never run, play or dance again. “ 

Seven young men, who have recently jumped into shallow water, have broken their necks  

The Head of the Groote Schuur Hospital Spinal Unit, Professor Nicholas Kruger, says this safety alert is targeted at males, teenagers and young adults, who like to dive into water. He says in most of the cases, over the past eight weeks, where the seven men were left paralysed, alcohol was involved. 

Professor Kruger added, “They need to be nursed and cared for by friends and family for the rest of their natural lives. “ 

Diving safety measures 

He has issued some safety measures that can be implemented to prevent serious injuries: 

• Do not get drunk and swim. 

• Do not dive into any water if you are unsure about its depth or cannot see the bottom. 

• If you jump, jump feet first and NOT head first. 

“This year we have had seven devastating spinal cord injuries of young men who dived in shallow water and broke their necks.” 

He has called on young men and teenagers to make good decisions

Professor Kruger has asked people to heed this message, as it may influence the rest of your life. He has called on young men and teenagers to make good decisions. That is to look after your spinal cord. “It’s the only one you have.”

The safety alert initiative came to life after doctors expressed concern after noticing a marked surge in diving-related cervical spine injuries over the last 8 weeks in the Western Cape.

The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness has celebrated the arrival of 132 babies born at public health facilities across the province on New Year’s Day, marking a heartwarming start to 2026.

From midnight on 1 January, an equal number of boys and girls, 66 each, were safely delivered, bringing joy to families and communities throughout the province.

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The first baby of the year was born at exactly 00:00 at Mowbray Maternity Hospital. The baby boy, weighing 3.8 kilograms, was delivered to proud mother Geneva Claasen. Just three minutes later, at 00:03, another baby boy weighing 3.5 kilograms was born at Paarl Hospital. The third New Year’s baby was a girl born at Stellenbosch Hospital at 01:38, weighing 3.2 kilograms.

As the province celebrates the newest arrivals, the Department of Health and Wellness has encouraged parents and caregivers to make use of their local clinics to support their babies’ growth and development.

The department highlighted the importance of the first 1,000 days of a child’s life, from conception, describing this period as critical for long-term health and well-being. Regular clinic visits during this time provide access to essential services such as immunisations, health education and routine check-ups, all aimed at giving children the strongest possible start in life.

Western Cape MEC of Health and Wellness Mireille Wenger said the New Year’s births serve as a reminder of the importance of early investment in children’s health.

“As we step into a new year, we celebrate the first precious lives born in 2026. We are reminded that the earliest moments of life shape everything that follows,” Wenger said. “In the Western Cape, our focus is on giving every child a strong and healthy start through quality care, support and skilled healthcare teams. When we invest early, we help children grow, develop and thrive well into the future.”

The department also congratulated all parents and caregivers on the safe delivery of their babies and expressed gratitude to healthcare workers, particularly midwives, who worked on the public holiday to provide care.

“As we embrace a new year filled with possibility, let’s commit to giving our children the best possible beginning,” the department said. “Together, we can help every family and new life start well.”