Foreign nationals strut their stuff at carnival mini-parade

The theme of the fifth annual Joburg Carnival is Unity in our diversity - a fitting and symbolic gesture of reconciliation, given the scars that residents still bear several months after the brutal attacks on foreigners in May.

In this spirit of building tolerance and understanding of others, the City of Joburg has incorporated a number of foreign nationals into one of the groups, assembled from the city's various regions, that are participating in the carnival on 31 December.

This group comprises about 50 youngsters, with a blend of South Africans and foreign nationals hailing from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe, Angola, Burundi and Kenya.

Under the expert choreography of famed local dancer Vukani Khoza, the children and young adults will be put through their paces to create an exciting dance spectacle for the carnival. Joburg residents experienced an appetiser of the action yesterday, when Khoza put on a mini-parade from the Yeoville Recreation Centre, situated at 36 Raleigh Street, Yeoville.

Members of the public went along and witness the youngsters displaying their prowess in a mixture of modern, hip-hop and township dancing, with a touch of Congolese dance thrown in.

The foreign nationals will be among the various groups taking part in the Joburg Carnival, which is hosted by the City of Joburg and the South African Police Services. It will kick off at 2pm on 31 December when various carnival troupes, choirs and musicians set off from Kotze Street in Hillbrow, and proceed through the inner city, over the Nelson Mandela Bridge and into Newtown.

Residents are invited to come out and witness this cheerful riot of colour, music and activity, which will culminate in a free concert at Mary Fitzgerald Square from 6pm, featuring top acts such as Freshlyground, MXO, Gang of Instrumentals, Bleksem, Howza, KB and Wonderboom.

Security will be tight along the route and in Newtown, and the police and emergency services will ensure that proceedings run like clockwork. Don't miss the magic of the carnival this New Year's Eve!