Residents are invited to come and join in the fun from noon on 31 December 2009 as stilt walkers, artists, musicians and traditional dancers parade through the city's streets to usher in the Soccer World Cup year.
To inspire their carnival, each of the city's seven regions was 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. Taking into account the cultures and traditions of their respective allotted nations, each region has crafted a massive mask for the procession.
The carnival procession will start at the corner of Ameshoff and Bertha streets in Braamfontein and will then slowly make its way down Bertha Street, over the Nelson Mandela Bridge, into Carr Street in Newtown, and then into Miriam Makeba Street, finishing off at Newtown Park, where the event will culminate in festivities including dance performances.
A highlight is the 2010 Diski Dance performance at the Mandela Bridge, as well as the regional competition to see who will be crowned Joburg's Diski Dance champions at Newtown Park following the procession. A choreographer will also be on hand to teach members of the public how to do this official World Cup dance.
Motorists are advised that there will be road closures in Braamfontein and Newtown between approximately 11am and 2pm on the day.
The South African Police Service will keep a watchful eye on proceedings to ensure the carnival is a safe and fun way to see in 2010 while celebrating the city's melting pot of diversity and creativity.
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