Cape Town Carnival infects the City

After a two-year hiatus the Cape Town Carnival made a come back with a bang

The Chinese community wowed the crowd with their performance. Picture: Tracey Adams/African News Agency (ANA)

After a two-year hiatus the Cape Town Carnival made a come back with a bang

The Cape Town Carnival returned to the streets with a bang and a splash of colour.

After a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the carnival made a come back with some changes to how they entertained those in attendance.

In the past, the carnival used to be a showcase and a parade of performers and floats down the streets but the newly returned carnival had to reinvent itself.

Instead of moving through the CBD, the carnival was hosted across five locations, including Hatfield Street, the Iziko South African Museum, the National Gallery, Green Market Square and Heritage Square.

Each location, referred to as hubs, where its set of performers kept the crowds entertained throughout the day at a cost of R10 per hub.

Crowds in attendance expressed their joy at being able to enjoy the festivities which saw hubs jam-packed.

The Michelle Davids dance group from Athlone wowed crowds at the Heritage Square hub, dressed in bright pink and neon ensembles.

Davids said after two years of not performing at the Cape Town Carnival, she felt an adrenaline rush at being back on stage.

“The excitement was amazing. Being here meant we got to give our best,” she said.

The Michelle Davids dance group has been part of the carnival every year since 2010.

“It’s not the same as being on the fan walk every year. The setup is not what we would have wanted but we still gave it our best,” she said.

She added: “Everyone had to be vaccinated, we were all excited and we couldn’t wait for the day to come.”

Media leads at the Cape Town Carnival parading through the streets in colourful and showy attire. Picture : Tracey Adams/African News Agency (ANA)

Kuhle Mditshwa worked as media lead at the carnival. All performers dressed in extravagant outfits at the event were referred to as media leads or graphic leads.

Mditshwa, who works as an internal auditor full-time, said it was remarkable to be a part of the experience.

“I feel so inspired. Being part of the carnival is inspiring because you get to celebrate the beautiful city and the talent it has,” she said.

Sanscape dancers performing Tales of Camissa at the Iziko Museum venue during the Cape Town Carnival. Picture:Ian Landsberg/African News Agency (ANA).