Bright colours, satin and sequins lit up the streets of District Six, the city centre and Bo-Kaap on Saturday January 4 as more than 20 000 performers took part in the Cape Town Street Parade.
Originally known as the Tweede Nuwe Jaar celebrations, the parade is one of South Africa’s biggest cultural events, showcasing the city’s vibrant heritage and festive spirit.
Nearly 20 troupes marched, sang and danced through the streets sporting their 2025 season gear, as tens of thousands of spectators lined the route.
Among the many eager spectators who had marked their prime viewing spots days ahead of the Cape Town Street Parade was Laeeqah Johnson from Grassy Park.
Laeeqah arrived on Thursday, January 2, and found a space on the corner of Darling Street and Corporation Street for her family to camp out for the event.
Her niece Chandre Martin said: “We sat on the pavement for the day to secure our spot and at night we would take turns to sleep in the car, so two of us would be watchdogs while the other took a nap in the car for about two hours; that’s how we alternated through the night, the next day was Friday and we did the same with sleeping arrangements until Saturday which was D-day for the minstrels.”
From left, Alexander Murry, Laeeqah Johnson, Hannah Martin, Chandre Martin and Patricia Brooks. Picture: Lauren Paris
The Cape Town Street Parade was opened by none other than The Original D6 Hanover Minstrels. The troupe was led by some of Showmax’s Beaulah: Queens van die Kaap cast, Emogen Moore, BB Vahlour and Chenal Tayer.
Members of the Original D6 Hanover Minstrel group, with deputy mayor Eddie Andrews, third from left, troupe owner Ziyaad Williams, MEC for Arts and Culture, Ricardo Mackenzie, and the Beaulah: Queens van die Kaap cast. Picture: Lauren Paris The Original D6 Hanover Minstrels performing in front of the City Hall.Members from The West London All Stars from Athlone in their 2025 gear. Picture: Lauren Paris WLAS members, from left, Lance Solomons from Kuils River and Jamie-Lee Christians from Eerste River. Picture: Lauren Paris TV Stars Youth Development’s Kriewel Squad from Heideveld. Picture: Lauren Paris Playaz Inc from Mitchell’s Plain performing at the City Hall stage in Darling Street. Picture: Lauren Paris Junior jingles player Zarah Miller in her Playaz Inc uniform. Picture: Lauren Paris Ikraam Van Witt of Juvie Boys Entertainers from Mitchell’s Plain. Picture: Lauren Paris Isgak Omar from Hanover Park, a member of Juvie Boys from Mitchell’s Plain. Picture: Lauren ParisJingle squad members from the Posh Vibrant troupe from Bishop Lavis. Picture: Lauren Paris Posh Vibrant band members perform as they enter Adderly Street. Picture: Lauren Paris Ashwin Willemse Orients’ voorlooper known as ‘’Zierie’’. Picture: Lauren Paris Original Famous Wild Apaches - Atchas. Picture: Lauren Paris Baruch Entertainers junior voorlooper Fakier. Picture: Lauren Paris Baruch Entertainers jingle squad leads their team through the route. Picture: Lauren Paris Cape Town Hawkers from Manenberg celebrate their 37th anniversary. Picture: Lauren Paris Mitchell’s Plain Young Tycoons percussion members and gummie players. Picture: Lauren Paris
