After a two-year absence the minstrel competition, Malay choir road marches and the Tweede Nuwe Jaar Minstrel Parade will all be returning to the streets of Cape Town.

These events were cancelled in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The City of Cape Town indicates that it will be providing among others financial support.  The municipality is also considering asking Council to approve a new three-year agreement to fund the road march events until the 2024/25 financial year. It believes it will allow for better planning of future events.

Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis says these events represent the rich heritage of our beautiful city and they mean a lot for thousands of Capetonians who have grown up with the culture associated with minstrels and Malay choirs.

For his part Keep the Dream Choir Board chairperson Mogamat Salih Davids acknowledged that the pandemic affected everyone, but is confident that together they will revive and reach for excellence in practising their age-old traditions and culture.

The Cape Malay Choir Board Choral competition will be the first event, starting this Saturday on Heritage Day.