City condemns cheap political point-scoring at Tweede Nuwejaar parade

The City of Cape Town condemns the actions of the ANC during today's annual Tweede Nuwejaar Minstrel Carnival.

Instead of celebrating our rich cultural heritage, the Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Marius Fransman, and Arts and Culture Minister, Paul Mashatile, chose to score cheap political points.

Addressing thousands of Capetonians and visitors at the Grand Parade, Mr Fransman and Mr Mashatile claimed it was the ANC that ‘saved' this year's Minstrels event.

The party also illegally distributed pamphlets during the parade declaring the ANC had made the 2013/14 Minstrels Carnival possible.

These are blatant lies, which the City condemns and rejects.

The negotiations over the past few weeks between the City, minstrel associations and Mr Fransman were in good faith. It is unfortunate that Mr Fransman and Mr Mashatile have chosen to stoop to these levels.

The Tweede Nuwejaar parade was never intended to be a political platform. It is about promoting Cape Town and our unique culture and traditions.

Last month, the City, as part of our commitment to building an inclusive city, reached an amicable agreement with minstrel associations to ensure that the upcoming Cape Annual Minstrel Carnival is a success.

At the meeting, it was agreed that:

• Minstrel associations will participate in the event management of the 2013/14 Minstrel Carnival events.
• This 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.

We remain committed to working with all spheres of government to ensure that the success of the Minstrels event is protected into the future.

Statement issued by Councillor Grant Pascoe, Mayoral Committee Member Tourism, Events & Marketing, City of Cape Town, January 4 2013

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