January 2, 2007
By Emily van Rijswijck
APPROPRIATELY called Nyakaza – Joburg on the move – the city heralded in the New Year with a luminous parade through the streets of the city.
And, in keeping with the vibey Joburg buzz, music was provided by a 20-piece vuvuzela orchestra, which played funky tunes that enticed even the most reluctant onlooker to join in the fun.
The annual street-march, under the theme Nyakaza, Joburg unplugged, saw the decorated groups representing each of Joburg's seven regions dancing and singing through the inner city. The theme of unplugged and unfettered was carried through in original home-styled costumes and quirky headgear.
Flat dwellers in Hillbrow, where the march started, leaned over balconies, looking like brightly coloured wash-lines, to cheer the procession as it passed by.
Starting in Kotze Street, Hillbrow, the procession moved through the inner city and over the Nelson Mandela Bridge into Newtown where each region had the chance to show off their finery for the judges one final time.
Members of Region E's troupe strutt their stuff at the Joburg Carnival
After dancing and singing for eight kilometres the troupes powered up an extra burst of vooma, with even the smallest participants, some only six years old, giving a final energetic display to the appreciative crowd.
Region B, representing Sophiatown and its surrounding areas, looked elegant in shiny 1950's-style swing and jazz costumes, while the group from Region E, from Alexandra and surrounds, were dressed in a spectacular red and blue ensemble, looking like bright coloured birds as they danced to their African beat.
But it was Region D from Soweto, dressed in bright yellow and blue, who walked away with the best regional troupe costumes. "We always thought that we would win," said a group member hurriedly before rushing off to celebrate with fellow participants.
The Carnival is a yearly event that is co-hosted by the City and the South African Police Service (SAPS).
One of the objectives of the carnival is to give the young residents of the city a creative and musical outlet – and an alternative to the streets. Emphasis is also placed on development and skills training.
Executive director of community development, Pilisiwe Twala-Tau, said "the carnival was about kids". The themes, costumes and designs were all original ideas that came from the children themselves, and which they conceptualised with the help of professional choreographers and artists from their own communities.
More than 350 youths participated, starting their training and preparations early in October 2006.
Although still a relatively new addition to the City's social calendar, some 1 500 people took part in the actual parade, with 15 000 spectators encouraging the participants.
This was the third year the carnival has been held.
Twala-Tau pointed out that people from all walks of life and different cultures were able to celebrate together, creating a community vibe, which she hopes "will grow bigger and bigger with each year".
The colours of Joburg: the parade crosses the Nelson Mandela Bridge
A large contingent representing other African countries also took part, as did a group from the local Chinese community. The African group, with over 50 members, represented countries as far a field as Nigeria and Cameroon, as well as neighbours Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
Winners in the five categories, judged by mayoral committee members Christine Walters (corporate and shared services) and Nandi Mayathula-Khoza (community development), and carnival expert, Kamal El Alaoui, were:
- Pre-production and training camps: Region E
- Best choreography: Region D
- Best regional troupe costumes: Region D
- Best depiction of the theme: Region G
- Best regional large costume design: Region E
The carnival was the prelude to an evening of entertainment at the Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown, where a music concert and fireworks saw in the New Year. Some 30 000 people attended the concert, which was described as peaceful and festive.
"There was a heavy metro police and SAPS presence at the Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown," according to Johannesburg metro police spokesperson, Wayne Minnaar, who described the atmosphere as "quiet".
Revellers welcome in the New Year
Gauteng SAPS spokesperson, Govindsamy Mariemathoo confirmed that delinquent behaviour in the inner city was kept to a minimum and there were few serious incidents during the night-long festivities.
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