The City of Cape Town is partnering with the various Minstrel groups to host their annual festive season road march events.
The minstrels are a major feature on Cape Town’s annual calendar and a significant tourist attraction. These unique bands will march along several key roads on the dates below, which will need to be temporarily closed for this purpose.
The details are as follows:
Christmas Choir Bands Road March – 24 December 2011
Approximately 1 500 members will participate in this event. The route will start at Rose and Wale Streets, proceed down Wale Street into Adderley Street, right into Darling Street, and finish at the Grand Parade where the bands will perform short items on stage. The march will start at midnight on 24 December 2011 and end at 03:00. Intermittent road closures will be in place at various intersections along the route.
Malay Choir Annual Road March – 31 December 2011
Approximately 60 choirs and bands will participate in this event. The route will start at Keizergracht, proceed along Darling Street, and turn left into Adderley Street and Wale Street. It will then cross Buitengragt before going right into Rose Street and finishing at Castle and Rose Streets, where the groups will board busses and return home.
There will be controlled pedestrian crossings at Buitenkant, Plein, Parliament, Bureau, Long, Loop and Buitengragt Streets for this event. Buitengragt and Wale Streets will not be closed to vehicular traffic.
The procession will commence at 21:00 on 31 December 2011 and end at 03:00 on 1 January 2012. The last team will start its march at 01:00 on 1 January 2012 to ensure that the procession reaches the end point in time. Road closures will be implemented from 18:00 onwards.
Minstrels Road March – 2 January 2012
Approximately 70 Minstrel troupes and bands will participate in this event. The route will start at Keizergracht, Tenant and Sir Lowry Streets, proceed along Darling Street and then left into Adderley Street and Wale Street. It will cross Buitengragt, before going right into Rose Street and finishing at Castle and Rose Streets, where the groups will board busses and return home.
There will be controlled pedestrian crossings at Buitenkant, Plein, Parliament, Bureau, Long, Loop and Buitengragt Streets. Appropriate signage will be in place. Buitengragt and Wale Streets will not be closed to vehicular traffic.
The procession will commence at 10:00 and end at approximately 22:00. Road closures will be implemented from 07:00 onwards.
General information
The City’s Traffic Services, Metro Police, Disaster Risk Management and Law Enforcement Services, along with the South African Police Services, will maintain a high presence during these events. Security, medical assistance, fencing, cleansing, water points, and portable toilets will also be provided by the City. No unauthorised vending or informal trading will be allowed within the event precincts or in any other area that has been proclaimed prohibited/restricted for informal trading – except for accredited traders. Law Enforcement Officers will remove and impound any stalls that have been set up illegally. No parking will be allowed along the route and illegally parked vehicles will be impounded. Parking for residents of the Bo-Kaap and in Rose Street has been arranged. The Cape Town Central Improvement District will assist with cleansing and security. Members of the public are requested to be careful, especially at the designated pedestrian crossing areas and the Company’s Garden, and to exercise patience during the events. Any unlawful activity will be dealt with by the relevant authorities.
Residents are reminded to be vigilant in minding their children during these events. Members of the public who wish to raise any concerns during these events can contact the City’s Operations Centre on 021 596 1999.
