Woza Africa 2010 at Joburg carnival

Join the city in saying “Woza Africa 2010” this New Year's Eve, when the Joburg Carnival
For the sixth year running, the Joburg Carnival will unite the city's residents for a safe, vibrant and fun-filled street parade and party on 31 December 2009.

With this year's theme being “Woza Africa 2010,” expect the streets of downtown Joburg to go soccer-crazy, in anticipation of next year's World Cup and pulsate with colour, music and the energy of carnival.

Welcoming Africa

This year, South African carnival participants will again be partnering with foreign nationals in the spirit of tolerance, integration and cooperation and the objective is to promote and encourage inclusivity and social cohesion

Communities from all over the city will take part in carnival camps prior to the main event, during which budding artists are trained in various carnival-related arts, equipping them with skills that could eventually earn them a livelihood.

During these camps, each of the city's seven regions has been allocated an African country that has qualified for the World Cup - Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Cameroon, Algeria and South Africa, as well as Brazil as hosts of the next World Cup - to inspire their carnival creations.

Route

The street parade will start at 12 noon at the corner of Bertha and Stiemens Streets in Braamfontein and make its way across the Nelson Mandela Bridge to Newtown Park, featuring an array of traditional food and entertainment that represent the multicultural carnival participants. An eclectic assortment of troupes, choirs, bands and floats will strut their stuff during the course of the afternoon.

Police statistics have shown that since the city initiated the carnival six years ago, crime levels and disturbances in the inner city have shown a marked decrease over the New Year's Eve period.

“The carnival has become an indispensable way of bidding farewell to the old year and welcoming the New Year,” says Pilisiwe Tau, City of Johannesburg's executive director of community development. “There's such a vibe and such an atmosphere of positivity and good cheer. We'd like to encourage other Joburgers to come and experience the festive cheer of the parade and even join in the fun.”