- The Cape Town Carnival celebrates its 15th anniversary with the theme “WowZA!” highlighting South Africa’s vibrant culture and unity.
- This year’s parade will feature 10 colourful floats, 2,000 performers, and special guests like the DHL Stormers and Brazilian performer Erika Januza.
- The carnival promises a spectacular evening on Saturday, 15 March, at the Green Point Fan Walk, supported by the city and province.
Over the past decade, the Cape Town Carnival team has performed in front of more than 500 000 spectators, created 150 floats, and designed and created about 30 000 dazzling costumes and accessories.
This year the glamorous street parade celebrates 15 years and will once again enchant spectators when it returns to the Green Point Fan Walk on Saturday 15 March.
Announcing “WowZA!” (Meaning Wow South Africa) as this year’s theme at the media launch on Thursday 16 January, Prof Rachel Jafta, carnival chair, says she still has fond memories of the first carnival 15 years ago.
She said the event is about bringing people together.
“When you come to the Cape Town Carnival you see what South Africa can be. You see people from all over coming together to have fun and to tell and create stories through different formats like dance, music, performances, art and beautiful costumes. For me, that is worth celebrating as it is a moment that makes you say ‘Wow, South Africa’.”
Colour
This year will see 10 colourful handcrafted floats, about 2 000 performers and 50 community groups taking to the street.
Jay Douwes, Chief Executive Officer of the carnival, said spectators can look forward to some new faces parading including the DHL Stormers team, The Drag Cartel and Rio Carnival’s Queen of the Drums, Erika Januza, a Brazilian actress and performer among others.
“We are so lucky to be South African and to live in this beautiful city. This is an opportunity for people to come together. They will see the incredible art and performances.”
Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said the city is a proud supporter of the event. “This is an important event on the cultural calendar for the city. We love events that bring people out of their homes. It is great to give a platform and spotlight to the incredible talent in Cape Town. Images of our carnival go all over the world; it is attracting people and putting Cape Town on the map.”
Ricardo Mackenzie, Western Cape Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, said: “We love this city, and we love this province, and we will continue to proudly support events that promote the world’s greatest city.”
Local artist Paxton Fielies said she is excited to be part of the carnival.
Douwes encouraged people to attend the event.
“We have come a long way, and we have achieved a lot and I hope people will see that in this year’s carnival. You have to experience it to know how amazing it is.”
