City of Cape Town Addresses Concerns Over Tweede Nuwe Jaar Parade Amid Route Change Discussions

• The City of Cape Town has clarified its non-involvement in the 2026 Tweede Nuwe Jaar parade organisation
• The proposed route changes and entry fees sparked criticism over commercialising cultural traditions
• The event permit remains under review amid concerns from residents and safety assessments

Justin Williams, a journalist at Briefly News since 2024, covers South Africa’s current affairs. Before joining Briefly News, he served as a writer and chief editor at Right for Education Africa’s South African chapter.

CAPE TOWN - The City of Cape Town has sought to distance itself from decisions around the 2026 Tweede Nuwe Jaar parade, saying it is neither the organiser nor responsible for setting the event’s route.

Proposed change to the parade route

The clarification follows criticism from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) over a proposed change to the parade route, which would see it move through Somerset Road to the DHL Stadium, as well as plans to introduce entry fees. The EFF accused the City and organisers of marginalising historically linked communities and turning a cultural tradition into a commercial event.

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In a statement issued on Sunday, 28 December 2025, the City said responsibility for the parade rests entirely with the Kaapse Klopse Karnival Association (KKKA). It explained that the municipality’s involvement is limited to assessing safety requirements and ensuring compliance with regulations.

According to the City, the KKKA approached the municipality earlier in 2025 to seek support for its proposal to reroute the road march via Somerset Road towards Green Point. After reviewing the motivation and feasibility of the route, the City indicated support, provided the organisers submit detailed plans to manage the event safely.

Permit not yet approved

The City noted that the event permit has not yet been approved and remains under consideration. The Events Permit Office is currently engaging with the organisers, relevant City departments, affected residents and ward councillors to address concerns around safety, logistics and community impact before any final decision is taken.

The municipality also clarified that a court application lodged on 27 December 2025 by the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival Association is not linked to the 2026 Tweede Nuwe Jaar parade. It said the matter involves a different minstrel grouping and is due to be heard in court on Monday, 29 December 2025.

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3 More stories about the Cape Flats

Briefly News also reported that violence on the Cape Flats escalated to new levels between Friday, 24 October 2025 and Sunday, 26 October 2025. Several shootings in numerous communities across the Cape Flats left more than 20 people dead and many others injured.

The Police Minister, Professor Firoz Cachalia, has called for an end to the conflict between gangsters in the Western Cape. He spoke during the 27th Interpol African regional conference in Cape Town, Western Cape, on 27 August. Cachalia also said that he would engage with religious leaders who have taken the initiative to reach out to them. He said that he would plan to return to Cape Town in September to dedicate more attention to gang violence.

A toddler was shot and killed in the Cape Flats. The incident happened in Bontheuwel. Two armed men entered a home and shot the woman and her child. The woman used the child as a shield, and the child died from his injuries in the hospital.

Source: Briefly News