Iconic klops events should go virtual

The Cape Town Street Parade, aka Tweede Nuwe Jaar, and the Oujaarsaand jol have been moved to the 15/16 June 2021.

This comes as no surprise with the spike we are currently experiencing in Coronavirus cases.

I commend the director of the Kaapse Klopse Karnival Association Muneeb Gambino and the organisers for making this tough decision and understand why they have decided to do this.

Both these events draw thousands of people and it would be dangerous to all who attended.

I do, however, feel that a downsized version of the events could still have taken place with just a hundred members being allowed into the arena and streaming it to the public.

If the proper control measures were put in place, it would be very doable.

If the event did take place, klopse and Malay choirs could still sell gears to their supporters who could join in on the fun from the comfort of their homes.

It would be different, but still doable.

I love the Kaapse klopse and Malay choirs, they’re part of who I am, so perhaps I am speaking from an emotional place, but if you look at the malls, there are thousands of people moving around in that space, so a hundred in a stadium should be easier to control and it would be safer than shopping.

It’s also time for our culture to move into the new technological age.

Live streaming is here and the opportunities are endless, it also provides a platform to showcase the culture to the world.

There is talk of cancelling the competitions as well and I do feel that it could have taken place with just singpakke going to the stadium to compete and the public watching from home each week.

The catchphrase “don’t cancel the show, just cancel your audience” comes to mind.

The audience will make their way to the live stream if they must, this has been proven by artists like Marc Lottering who in the heart of the pandemic sold thousands of links.

Imagine what the klopse could do. The format just has to change.

So although postponing is probably the best idea for now, the question that comes to mind is, what if the virus was still around in 2022, would we postpone again?

Our bodies are creative and I know that we have the people within the fraternity who can push us into the technological age.

It is important for us to strive during this time to remain relevant because once the pandemic is over, people will remember those who were relevant during this time.

I am also not 100% sure that June is a good time as it is a winter month and who knows what could happen until then. But it at least gives us some hope that after the pandemic, we are all going to have a lekker jol to celebrate the end of this very difficult period in world history.

What I have learnt about the Coronavirus is that it pushes you out of your comfort zone, forces you to do unorthodox things.

And it all filters back to technology.

Now everybody is watching shows on their phones and on their televisions, jolling in their houses, so why would it be so different when it comes to a Tweede Nuwe Jaar or Oujaarsaand jol?

I am sure there are many klopse fans who would have loved to watch it in their homes or on a big screen at the klopskamer.

So, yes, I understand it was a difficult year for all involved and even more difficult to postpone, but let us look at this new innovation of live streaming and prepare ourselves for the future.

I believe that if we put our minds to it, then there is a possibility.

With that said, much respect to our leaders for putting the safety of our people before all else.

dailyvoice@inl.co.za