Go Unlimited with Magzter GOLD
Get unlimited access to 10,000+ magazines, newspapers and Premium stories for just
Try GOLD - Free
How Minstrels heritage shaped Cape arts scene
Cape Argus
|September 09, 2025
AS WE celebrate Heritage Month, one of the best parts of the Kaap se cultural fabric is the Cape Minstrels.
The Cape Town Minstrels, known as The Kaapse Klopse, is a tradition stemming from the 1800s. The celebrations, known as Tweede Nuwe Jaar (second new year) on January 2, was a day off given to slaves to celebrate however they saw fit.
During this alternative New Year's celebration, the slaves would dress up as minstrels and dance to the sounds of banjos, guitars, ghoema drums, whistles, trombones and tubas.
Tweede Nuwe Jaar is a celebration of a community's survival and illustrates the continuity between its past, present and future
While slavery was officially abolished in the Cape on December 1, 1834, the Tweede Nuwe Jaar celebrations remained a much-anticipated celebration.
This story is from the September 09, 2025 edition of Cape Argus.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM Cape Argus
Cape Argus
Boland hungry for silverware, says fast bowler Dudgeon
BOLAND fast bowler Keith Dudgeon has told Independent Media that the Paarl-based unit has learned from its mistakes in last season's CSA One Day Cup final as they brace to host the CSA T20 Challenge at Boland Park on Sunday.
2 mins
November 27, 2025
Cape Argus
MK Party takes president to court over Cachalia appointment
FORMER president Jacob Zuma’s MK Party heads back to the Pretoria High Court today, insisting that President Cyril Ramaphosa’s appointment of Prof.
1 mins
November 27, 2025
Cape Argus
Hidden architecture of the human mind
DARK-BOX FRONTIER THEORY
3 mins
November 27, 2025
Cape Argus
Call for Judge Phahlane’s suspension after Hawks arrest
CIVIL society organisation Judges Matter has called on Gauteng High Court Judge Portia Dipuo Phahlane to immediately step down from her judicial duties following her arrest by the Hawks over allegations of taking a bribe worth millions of rand in a long-running church leadership dispute.
1 mins
November 27, 2025
Cape Argus
A disappointing sequel to the beloved musical
WICKED LETDOWN
4 mins
November 27, 2025
Cape Argus
We have a solid plan to beat Connacht, says Tshituka
AFTER the Sharks’ unfortunate start to the United Rugby Championship and the resulting turbulence off the field, the November break from the competition is the best thing that could have happened to them.
2 mins
November 27, 2025
Cape Argus
Afrikaner ‘refugees’ row had a profound effect on SA-US relations
I HOPE the South African American refugees are celebrating now that they have succeeded to make history, being instrumental in the collapse of a very important world event, the G20 World Leader’s summit in Joburg.
1 min
November 27, 2025
Cape Argus
How to protect your rights against noisy neighbours
NOISY neighbours can be nightmares, but there are laws in South Africa that protect people's rights to a peaceful home environment.
2 mins
November 27, 2025
Cape Argus
Kloof St named one of the coolest streets on earth
SOMETIMES, Cape Town feels like it smiles back at you.
2 mins
November 27, 2025
Cape Argus
Floods in Thailand, Malaysia kill over 30, displace thousands
TENS of thousands of people in Thailand and neighbouring Malaysia were displaced by widespread flooding, with streets submerged, homes inundated and at least 34 dead, officials said yesterday.
2 mins
November 27, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size