City of Cape Town still wants to spoil minstrel party

THE Cape Town Minstrel Carnival Association (CTMCA) has dedicated its victory against the City of Cape Town to every citizen who believes that their traditions were not for sale. 

“The judiciary has sent a clear message. The City of Cape Town is now compelled to fulfil its constitutional duty. They are required to assist the CTMCA and ensure compliance, shifting the focus away from private developers and back to the people of this city,” the association said in a statement. 

The CTMCA hauled the City to the Western Cape High Court challenging its refusal to issue permits for venues to host the Tweede Nuwe Jaar (The Second New Year) and related cultural celebrations.

Their application was brought on an urgent basis on Saturday and heard before the Western Cape High Court on Monday before a decision was made that evening.

They had told that court that their first event was scheduled for January 1. "The association's booking for Vygieskraal Stadium for 1, 10, 17 and 24 January 2026 was confirmed on 19 September 2025 and arbitrarily withdrawn on 22 September 2025, leaving the association without a venue,” the CTMCA said.

The court agreed to compel the City to provide a suitable venue for hosting minstrel competition events  in what the CTMCA described as a decision vindicating the association and securing the future of its heritage.

“The road is now paved for a return to the streets. We invite you to bring your teams out and show the world that we are not sellouts but keepers of a proud legacy. Our community expects us to march. Our history demands that we unite. The CTMCA has stood the test of time. Now, let us make the streets of Cape Town ring with the sound of our victory,” said the CTMCA. 

The association said the victory was made possible by several key role-players who worked tirelessly, sacrificing personal time and working long hours to make this case a success.

“To our devoted spectators, the lifeblood of our culture, and every supporter who has walked this path with us we want to say: ‘Thank You’. After nine lengthy years of legal battles, perseverance, and unwavering faith, the CTMCA has emerged victorious.”  

However, the City intends to apply for leave to appeal Monday’s court’s order.  

“While the CTMCA’s booking of Vygieskraal Stadium was initially provisionally approved by the City, it was still subject to the completion and fulfilment of standard operational, safety, and legislative assessments and requirements. Following a comprehensive internal review, the City withdrew the provisional booking a few days later, after identifying significant operational and safety concerns, including statutory venue risk-grading and event risk-grading limitations,” said the City.

Vygieskraal is graded to accommodate only low-risk events, while minstrel events are classified as medium-risk by SAPS, said the City, adding that  Athlone and DHL Stadiums were the only medium-risk compliant venues. 

“Despite the City’s intention to apply for leave to appeal, the City is in the process of identifying, with the intention to inform the CTMCA of the availability of these venues and the applicable booking process. Due to existing bookings, these two venues are not available on all the dates requested by the CTMCA and set-out in the court ruling. The City, to the best of its ability, will also share available information on alternative, privately-owned, medium-risk venues with the CTMCA, for consideration.

“The City’s position has been, and continues to be that it acted lawfully and reasonably in this matter, and remains committed to upholding the law and ensuring that all events hosted within Cape Town comply with applicable legislation and safety standards, in the interest of public safety and responsible event management.”

Cape Times