Victory all round for last ditch minstrel talks

This is the message after the successful last ditch efforts to save the Minstrel Marches.

The two largest associations lead by Richard Stemmet and Melwyn Matthews (representing Cape Town Minstrels Carnival and Kaapse Klopse Karnaval) united against the divisive actions by Helen Zille's DA-run City of Cape Town and her officials in an unparalleled standoff that was only brokered over the weekend after our ANC Western Cape leader Marius Fransman was asked to assist. 

The biggest triumph is that the threatened Christmas Choirs March on Christmas Eve (24 December 2013) is now going full steam ahead, while the Malay Choir March on New Year's Eve (31 December) as well as the traditional New Year street march of the minstrels will proceed as planned on 4 January 2013 (because it is a Saturday with less disruptions).

The minstrels will from now be integrally part of the management of the marches and from next year will handle it themselves as they own this cultural display and know best how it works. The DA-run City and provincial governments will continue to support these grassroots events until it ends in February.

Further to this, no separate areas for VIP guests will be demarcated as there will be just one such facility. 

The ANC thanks all groups for their co-operation and understanding of the cultural and religious sensitivities with the biggest Cape event of the year. Especially Cape mayor Patricia de Lille is thanked for parting with the stubborn ways of Zille and her officials to really deal with issues.

Together we can do more and celebrate the release of the slaves as well as the cultural freedom of our people in a way that is unique in the world.

Statement issued by Marius Fransman, ANC Western Cape leader, December 22 2013

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