GlassPearl.co.za/blog

I don’t like the Kaapse Klopse…never have, even though I am aware that it part of my cultural heritage. It’s like the clown thing with some people. The colourful faces and cheery music used to scare the heck out of me as a child.

I used to watch them do their traditional dancing and singing from afar, but nowadays I hardly ever see them and I don’t go out of my way either. Many families on the Cape Flats have ties to the minstrels, even though it has never been a huge part of my family traditions.

On the Cape Flats we have few cultural practices that are unique to our culture, so like it or not, I accept it as part of mine.

Tweede Nuwe Jaar (second day of New Year) was previously commemorated as a public holiday in South Africa. It began as a traditional Cape Town holiday, celebrated since the 19th century. According wikipedia, the carnival started as a way for former slaves (who had been freed by then) to mock their former masters. They were introduced to the festival when a white US troop visited the Cape in 1848.

It would be a really good idea if different provinces could choose 1 public holiday to trade. since this is a specifically Cape Town holiday, perhaps Capetonians could still celebrate Tweede Nuwe Jaar and trade with Reconciliation Day, since many people already take leave or are on holiday on 2 January any way.