Thousands of people lined the streets of the Cape Town CBD ahead of the annual Cape Town Street Parade. Many families camped out on the streets for days before in order top secure a spot to view the Cape Minstrel troops on the route from Hanover Street in District Six to the historic area of Bo Kaap.

Executive Mayor of Cape Town, Dan Plato, spoke to the media and explained the economic and historical significance of the parade. The parade has been taking place for more than 110 years. The parade started out as the Tweede Nuwe Jaar (Second New Year) festival held by slaves on the 2nd of January during colonial times. Slave owners usually gave the Cape Malay slaves off on the 2nd of January to celebrate the new year.

Aneeqah Fataar, a local social media influencer, spoke to the media about her family’s historic association with the street parade.