Cape Town Minstrel Carnival Celebrates Heritage

The Cape Town Minstrel Carnival, a century-old celebration rooted in the city's history of slavery, drew large crowds on January 4, 2025. Approximately 20,000 performers from 18 troupes showcased vibrant costumes, marching and dancing through the historic centre of Cape Town. The event honors the mixed-race community descended from slaves brought to the city after Dutch settlement in the 1650s. Muneeb Gambeno, director of the organizing Kaapse Klopse Karnival Association, noted that this parade has become the largest of its kind on the African continent, similar to London's Notting Hill Carnival. The first formal parade was held in 1907, with slavery abolished in the city in 1834. The carnival continues to celebrate cultural heritage and community spirit in South Africa.