The 2013 Gauteng’s magnificent and most colorful street parade is upon us. For this year’s 9th edition, Gauteng (Provincial Government) and the City of Joburg have come together to host the biggest and most flamboyant street parade ever starting 7-8 December. Also coming in as a sponsor is Hallmark watches through which 200 watches will be given away to the public.
This year over 21 000 participants will take part in the 5.6 km parade of magnificent costumes, colourful displays, enthralling dance and lively sounds starting from Johannesburg Stadium through Hilbrow, Braamfontein, the JHB CDD and back to the stadium.
The parade on Sunday 08 includes troupes from Botswana and DRC and locally from North West. It is a display of Art, Choreography, Costumes, colour, sound and more.
“This year’s Gauteng Carnival is the provincial launch-pad of the 20 years of celebration of freedom and democracy. It is more than fun and the showcasing of talent, but it is also a means to celebrate the cosmopolity and rainbow nature of Gauteng,” said MEC for Sport, Arts Culture and Recreation Lebogang Maile.
“It is also about remembering and honouring Africa’s heroes who brought it freedom and democracy. We know that though a lot still needs to be achieved, we need to celebrate ourselves and the achievements made thus far”, added Maile.
Held under the theme “Celebrating Africa’s Legacy”, the parade is aimed at recognizing the role of Africa’s freedom fighters. It is also aimed at celebrating Gauteng for being the preferred home to fellow Africans who come to seek better opportunities. Since its establishment the carnival has been about the promotion of the arts industry, the promotion of social cohesion, creation of job opportunities and imparting of skills.
Over 1000 job opportunities have and will be created for the production of this year’s carnival. These include seam-stressors, sound production, welders, choreographers, designers and many more. Some of the service providers used have been trained and developed through carnival. As part of road to carnival in December various buildup activities have been held which form elements of this year event. The 6 elements are ‘Dance to your Rhythm, Beat This, Bring the Hit, Dance & Choreography, Campus Explosion and Over the Edge’. Meanwhile, a music festival featuring some of the country’s top national artists and DJs will be held at the same Johannesburg stadium, on Saturday 07 December.
The Saturday programme will also see the culmination of battle of the DJs competition for the best 2013 Gauteng Carnival DJ. The winning muso will win R50 000 worth of DJ-aying equipment including guaranteed gigs in key events Gauteng Provincial Government. The crown was previously won by DJ Shimza in the inaugural year of the competition 2 years ago.
Also on offer on will be finals for the best Gauteng Carnival dance group in the Dance to your Rhythm category. The groups which have been selected during the regional competitions will put to test their best choreography in an effort to walk away with R10 000 in prize money.