Cape Town Carnival 2025: A Celebration of Culture and Community
By Matthew Lee
On Saturday, 15 March, the streets of Green Point transformed into a sea of colour and vibrance. The annual Cape Town Carnival returned in celebration of its 15th birthday, embodying the theme of WowZA.
The carnival, which was free to attend, kicked off festivities at 3 pm and ended at 10 pm. Unless, of course, the carnival after-party was of interest. Each act was a dynamic celebration of diversity, bringing together a fusion of local talent, cultural performances, and artistic expressions. From unique dance routines to live musical showcases, the Cape Town Carnival provided an immersive experience that highlighted the richness of the city’s different communities while fostering unity and appreciation for various traditions.
“The Carnival requires long-term devotion from all.”
I had the opportunity to go backstage and talk with Tyler, the head of performance administration. “The Carnival requires long-term devotion from all,” he said. “Several communities begin rehearsals eight months before the carnival even happens.”
The commitment to excellence became evident after watching the rehearsal of the Western Province Marching Association (WPMA). Founded in 1997, WPMA unites a community through a shared passion for music in addition to keeping kids off the streets by encouraging the participation of younger community members through music.
Separate from the larger community rehearsals, I spoke to Shontal Lottering, a member of the Fit Boots community and the senior instructor at the Sandbaai Fit Boots practice. Lottering highlighted the “rapid growth” of the community since joining the annual carnival parade. “[It’s] a mixture of cultural and economic connections,” she said. With only ten members present, Shontal, in her third consecutive parade, praised the “comfort” and “safety” of the carnival, highlighting how the production team was able to accommodate all community sizes.
Around 7 pm, the sun began to set and the parade commenced, with KFM’s Carl Wastie hosting. Harley-Davidison riders were the first to appear, making their presence known with some heavy revving, followed shortly by the fire department and law enforcement. Although neither department featured elaborate floats, they more than made up for it with their shirtless appearances, drawing plenty of attention from the crowd and adding an unexpected highlight to the event.
The parade maintained an electric atmosphere throughout the night, with free entry attracting a diverse mix of families, tourists, and everyone else in between. The excitement really peaked with the arrival of the Stormers. They were supported by the Western Province Marching Band and the CAS Majorettes, who seamlessly combined the promotion of local sports with the art of cheerleading with their performance. It was a stupendous occasion for all those individual communities in support of the Stormers as the crowd rallied them on.
The Cape Town Carnival stands as a vibrant testament to the power of culture and community. Featuring more than 40 unique community groups coming together, the event highlighted how traditions, music, dance, and shared passions create unity. From the disciplined performances of the WP Marching Association to the youthful energy of the CAS Majorettes, each group contributed to an atmosphere of celebration and togetherness. As the night drew to a close, the carnival reinforced the importance of cultural expression in strengthening community bonds and the multitude of benefits that a unified community can stand to offer.