Carnival adds festive flair

The streets around Mofolo Park were alive with the sound of music, and tourists on Vilikazi Street got more than the usual Soweto vibe during the Pale Ya Rona Carnival.
SOUND, colour and joy filled the streets around Mofolo Park in Soweto this weekend, with residents and visitors joining in the fun of the Pale Ya Rona Carnival.

A participant parades through the streets of MofoloColourful display: A participant parades through the streets of MofoloIn the parade were troupes from various municipalities in Gauteng. Team Joburg scooped the best traditional ensemble prize and was placed second in the best carnival of the region category. It beat Ekurhuleni, Tshwane and Sedibeng to walk away with a large trophy, as well as R30 000. The teams were judged on costume design, choreography and music.

Held over three days from 2 to 4 September, on the first day the costumes and floats were unveiled at Mofolo Park. Schoolchildren paraded on the second day, while the last day was reserved for the main parade.

About 17 000 people participated, among them national and international troupes. They brought colour and excitement to the streets. The bright floats and costumes came in a range of sizes, from small to large to huge.

The parade began at Mzilikazi Street, passed Vilakazi Street, and looped back to the park. Residents lined the side of the roads, camping outside their yards, armed with cameras and cellphones for taking pictures.

Plenty of them followed along the parade; others shouted, waved and blew their vuvuzelas. Children danced to music blaring out from more than 10 trucks that were part of the parade.

Patrons, waiters and waitresses at restaurants along the famous Vilakazi Street stood outside to witness the carnival; many took photographs and waved to the troupes. There was a festive air indeed.

Lebogang Maile, the MEC for sport, culture and heritage, was in the first float, which was pulled by a colourful truck.

More than 17 000 participants take part in the Pale Ya Rona carnivalMore than 17 000 participants take part in the Pale Ya Rona carnivalTourists who had come to see Mandela House could not have picked a better time for their visit; most of them stopped what they were doing to watch and take photos of the parade. Streets were closed from Mofolo to Orlando West.

Maile encouraged the participants and other people who came to the carnival to dedicate the parade to the national rugby team, the Springboks, who left South Africa on 1 September to defend their status as the rugby champions of the world. “Let’s show them that here in Gauteng we have got the spirit,” he said.

Bathandwa Ngcepe, who watched the colourful carnival, said he still had pictures of the previous carnival on his cellphone. “This is the second time it’s happening. I think it is a great event. Unemployed people get part time jobs, so it’s wonderful,” he said.

The carnival was launched seven years ago to showcase the vibrancy and heritage of Gauteng. And it takes place in September as part of Heritage Month activities. This was the second consecutive year that it was held in Soweto.

The carnival was organised by the Gauteng department of sport, art, culture and heritage.