--- title: "Cape Town’s minstrels kick off Tweede Nuwe Jaar with a bang as the Klopse drum the ghoema beat" description: "The alternative New Year celebrations date back to the mid-19th century when the Cape slaves were given a day off from their duties on 2 January." type: "NewsArticle" publisher: "Daily Maverick" site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za" section: "PHOTO ESSAY" author: "Daily Maverick Reporter" author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/daily-maverick-reporter/" canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-01-02-cape-towns-minstrels-kick-off-tweede-nuwe-jaar-with-a-bang-as-the-klopse-drum-the-ghoema-beat/" published: "2024-01-02T20:59:02" updated: "2024-01-03T12:18:08" lang: "en-ZA" word_count: 261 --- # Cape Town’s minstrels kick off Tweede Nuwe Jaar with a bang as the Klopse drum the ghoema beat > The alternative New Year celebrations date back to the mid-19th century when the Cape slaves were given a day off from their duties on 2 January. By Daily Maverick Reporter · Published 2 January 2024, 22:59 SAST · Updated 3 January 2024, 14:18 SAST ## Key points - Cape Town kicked off its second New Year with a bang as the 20th anniversary of the Kaapse Klopse Karnival Association was marked by a dazzling street parade. - Tweede Nuwe Jaar kicked off in Cape Town with thousands of minstrels. - Ghoema beat drummed through the city as the Klopse set off from City Hall. - Tens of thousands of spectators lined the streets for the procession. - Hollywoodbets Cape Town Street Parade 2024 coincides with 20th anniversary of Kaapse Klopse Karnival Association. ## Content Tweede Nuwe Jaar (Second New Year) kicked off in Cape Town on Tuesday with thousands of minstrels showing off their glitzy outfits and songs. The ghoema beat drummed through the centre of Cape Town as the Klopse set off from the City Hall and made their way through the CBD to the Bo-Kaap. Tens of thousands of spectators lined the streets as the procession made its way through the city in blistering heat. **Read more in Daily Maverick:**[Klopse association anniversary makes Cape Town Street Parade a double celebration for minstrels](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-12-29-cape-town-street-parade-a-double-celebration-for-minstrels/) The Hollywoodbets Cape Town Street Parade 2024 coincides with the 20th anniversary of the Kaapse Klopse Karnival Association, making it a double celebration for the minstrel fraternity. ![Boys from the Pennsylvanians. (Photo: Brenton Geach/Gallo Images)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/hzbgIul6WEiA8lMqmQwaDihHBbo=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Photo-essay-Minstrels-2.jpg) *A boy from the Pennsylvanians. (Photo: Brenton Geach / Gallo Images)* ![The West London All Stars perform in the blazing heat. This event stems from a long tradition and legacy of Tweede Nuwe Jaar, which has been celebrated in the Cape for more than 110 years. (Photo: Brenton Geach / Gallo Images)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/tmqMhX1SSqJWHh6nx94mE1BLrMg=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Photo-essay-Minstrels-3.jpg) *The West London All Stars perform in the blazing heat. This event stems from a long tradition and legacy of Tweede Nuwe Jaar, which has been celebrated in the Cape for more than 110 years. (Photo: Brenton Geach / Gallo Images)* ![The heat was so intense that the minstrel troupes had to take lots of breaks. 02 January 2024. (Photo: Brenton Geach/Gallo Images)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/hjsMSLdmdhbRd1FbOXIewxTmEEA=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Photo-essay-Minstrels-4.jpg) *The heat was so intense that the minstrel troupes had to take many breaks. (Photo: Brenton Geach / Gallo Images)* ![A portrait of an older minstrel troupe member. (Photo: ER Lombard/Gallo Images)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/8fWKwRu4WKmiKREtamhOLAmaGrg=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Photo-essay-Minstrels-5.jpg) *A portrait of an older minstrel troupe member. (Photo: ER Lombard / Gallo Images)* ![Two-year-old Kennlyn Swartz was a hit among the crowd. (Photo: Brenton Geach/Gallo Images)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/RY1hxQwG4TNmJVP-jt3gytUTJ-Y=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Photo-essay-Minstrels-6.jpg) *Two-year-old Kennlyn Swartz was a hit among the crowd. (Photo: Brenton Geach / Gallo Images)* ![A member of the Juvie Boys shows his war paint. (Photo: Brenton Geach / Gallo Images)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/sSyJK5dZ-q5OlZBgG6G0LXHMBTk=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Photo-essay-Minstrels-7.jpg) *A member of the Juvie Boys shows his war paint. (Photo: Brenton Geach / Gallo Images)* ![The Fieka troupe on the move. (Photo: Brenton Geach / Gallo Images)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/XL0ENytFAmWlGzq-dFkTr7zLU7k=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ED_483813.jpg) *The Fieka troupe on the move. (Photo: Brenton Geach / Gallo Images)* ![Two girls take a break during the festival. (Photo: Brenton Geach / Gallo Images)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/szI0ejfzwQ1HRH4MViExQv95t-c=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Photo-essay-Minstrels-8.jpg) *Participants in the Tweede Nuwe Jaar procession. (Photo: Brenton Geach / Gallo Images)* **DM**