City reaches agreement with Minstrels

The City of Cape Town, as part of our commitment to building an inclusive city, has reached an amicable agreement with concerned minstrel associations to ensure that the upcoming Cape Annual Minstrel Carnival is a success. This was concluded after an initial engagement on Friday 20 December 2013 between the Executive Mayor, the Deputy Minister Marius Fransman and the respective minstrel boards.

Events over the next two weeks include the Christmas Choir Bands March on 24 December 2013, the Malay Choir "Nagtroupe" March on 31 December 2013 and the Tweede Nuwejaar Minstrel March on 4 January 2014.

Following a fruitful meeting with representatives of the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival Association (CTMCA) and the Kaapse Klopse Karnival Association (KKKA), the City has agreed that:

Minstrel associations will participate in the event management of upcoming Minstrel Carnival events.

Next year (2014/15), the associations will be the overarching event organisers of the Cape Annual Minstrel Carnival.

The City of Cape Town will assist with competitions at venues such as the Athlone Stadium, Vygieskraal, Florida Park and Delft.

A single VIP area to ensure that all VIPs related to the minstrels are in the same area.

The City provides R3,5 million worth of logistical and support services such as traffic control, safety and security, law enforcement, and cleansing to ensure that the annual Minstrel Carnival is controlled and managed in the best interests of the Minstrel groups, spectators and the city as a whole.

In addition to this, the Western Cape Government provides approximately R2 million for transportation costs of all Minstrels groups, Malay Choirs and Christmas Bands.

I wish to record the City's continued support for the Minstrels and this annual event.

Statement issued by Cape Town Executive Mayor Patricia de Lille, December 22 2013

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