Cape Town Carnival 2018 A Dedication to the Mother City and Mother Nature

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WORDS Pegah Feyzi Pour

Cheerful colours and chanting crowds once again greeted the Cape Town Carnival (CTC), reminding us how essential art can be as a form of communication. This kind of arts festival not only celebrates difference and brings people together but showcases issues that affect Cape Town as a community. The theme of this year’s carnival, ‘Mother City, Mother Nature,’ reflected upon Cape Town’s latest concern: the drought.

Last Saturday, in Green Point, the CTC created a general awareness of the water crisis currently facing Capetonians and reinforced the message that it can be fought through solidarity. The event was an artistic expression of the people’s response to life and its challenges.

The Mother Nature float served as a reminder to spectators that her resources and natural treasures should be treated with respect. Photo: Gavin Hurling

The butterfly, bee and bird costumes drew attention to the significance of nature and the city’s responsibility to treat it respectfully. The Mother City, Mother Nature theme highlighted that environmental challenges demand a respect for both nature and humankind and that regardless of people’s social or economic situation, we are all in this together.

Valerie Jacobs, administrative assistant and performer at the Aphrodite Belly Dancing School, mentions that the CTC ‘is committed to illuminating the biodiversity of our environment and its sensitivity to changes created by our carbon footprint.’

If the carbon footprint of the festival itself was a concern, Jay Douwes, CEO of CTC, stresses that ‘all processes focused on re-using and re-cycling materials for the floats and costumes. The CTC 2018 achieved a zero waste to land-fill, i.e. all trash was sorted by the staff before leaving the event.’

The organisers also didn’t overlook the water crisis in the planning. ‘The CTC workshop in Maitland had two rain-water harvesting tanks, so no municipal water was used. The event itself provided Bluewater dispensing units for the public for free,’ Douwes says.

This year, the floats at the festival successfully embodied some of South Africa’s other concerns such as the plight of endangered species like the rhinos and the flora and fauna, which continue to be threatened by the current drought and wildfires.

Alongside the environmental aspects of the carnival, the purpose of the street parade is to celebrate the diversity of the Mother City: ‘CTC unites everybody together – people of all cultures, races and ages,’ says Pamela Mtati, director of the Likhwezi Arts Project.

Alongside the environmental aspects of the carnival, the purpose of the street parade is to celebrate the diversity of the Mother City: ‘CTC unites everybody together – people of all cultures, races and ages,’ says Pamela Mtati, director of the Likhwezi Arts Project.

Jacobs agrees with the sense of community spirit and participation. ‘We are very proud to be artists in this awesome event and a deep sense of patriotism is felt when we see the thousands of spectators thronging and cheering, knowing that we make our country proud by welcoming them in the most enjoyable fashion we know.’

The budget for this year’s carnival was R4 million, which meant that 43 groups, 54 lead performers and 80 artists could participate in the event.

The colourful costumes represented Cape Town’s creativity and diverse culture. The sketches and the final designs were developed in Maitland – together with 80 artisans, crafters and designers. Photo: Gavin Hurling

The upside to the CTC is not only the inclusivity and celebration of all cultures but also the creation of jobs for the poorer communities. The event requires contractors to help build the floats and sewers to assist with the costume production. These skills are easily transferable for other jobs after the festival.

An estimated number of 50,000 people attended the event and the creativity was definitely appreciated by the majority of the spectators. ‘I was really amazed by the creativeness of the carnival and enjoyed all the cultural elements – music, art and race,’ comments Landi Degenaar on Facebook. ‘This is why we celebrate this City. It is beautiful and represents a whole different image of togetherness.’

Of course, it is an exciting event for children as well. When else do they have the opportunity to shake hands with the local policemen? ‘It is always an awesome experience and also safe to take the whole family along. This was the first time my children could see the carnival and they absolutely loved it. We will definitely join the event next year,’ says Zaida Abrahams.

CTC 2018 revealed South Africa’s vibrant identity and united each Capetonian in the most inspiring manner. Every visitor was able to feel the atmosphere that emphasised a sense of unity, equipping the country with enough motivation and enthusiasm to fight the challenges that lie ahead. Jacobs legitimately declared the CTC to be one of the most exciting items on the events calendar of the Western Cape.

Following on from the success of this year’s carnival, Capetonians are already eagerly anticipating CTC 2019 and what is in store for us all!

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