High court rules in favour of minstrel troupes
A late-night High Court ruling has ordered the City of Cape Town to provide a suitable venue for minstrel troops, following an urgent application by the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival Association over withdrawn approvals and parade permits.
Image: Ian Landberg/ Independent Media
The Cape Town Minstrel Carnival Association (CTMCA) has won its urgent court application against the City of Cape Town.
The Western Cape High Court ruled late on Monday night, December 29, that the City must provide a suitable venue for minstrel troupes to participate in their cultural competition.
Court proceedings ran well into the night before judgment was handed down in favour of the CTMCA. Dozens of minstrels filled the courtroom, while others gathered outside, celebrating with song, dance and music as news of the ruling emerged.
Several community and political organisations were present in support of the association, including the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), which had been vocal about backing the minstrels ahead of the ruling.
The judgment follows an urgent application by the CTMCA after it claimed the City withdrew approval for the use of Vygieskraal Stadium and declined a separate street parade application without providing reasons.
In earlier statements, the association said it was informed that permission to use Vygieskraal had been withdrawn but that no explanation was given. It further claimed that its application for a street parade scheduled for January 3, 2026, was also declined, despite ongoing engagement with the City around regulatory compliance.
According to the CTMCA, the City had requested additional documentation as part of the permit process. The association said that while some outstanding documents were submitted by its safety officer, the officer was later informed that the application had already been rejected.
The CTMCA argued that the lack of reasons left it with no option but to seek urgent court intervention. It also maintained that the dispute carried broader public importance because of the cultural and heritage significance of the minstrel tradition in Cape Town.
When the matter was first heard over the weekend, the City’s legal team requested a postponement to prepare opposing papers. That request was opposed by the CTMCA, but the court granted a short postponement and ordered the City to file further submissions before the matter was heard on Monday.
Handing down judgment late on Monday night, the court ruled in favour of the CTMCA and ordered the City to provide a suitable venue to allow minstrel troupes to participate.
The City's response will be added once received.