Cape Town - The minstrel festival that begins with the Tweede Nuwejaar march has evolved into a huge production and spectacle, including a variety of performances, make-up and uniforms.
Every year, hundreds of costumes and uniforms are made as many minstrel groups get ready to perform at the Cape Town street parade. While troops are rehearsing, there are many working behind the scenes to get the costumes ready.
One of these people is Shahida Tassien, 52, from Manenberg, who has been involved in the klopse since she was a child, but has been working on the uniforms for about 25 years.
“It comes from my grandfather, and learning from him,” Tassien said.
“I was a drum major, and I grew up (through) all these years and our kids are also there now. "When I started making uniforms I was only doing the captains and then started doing the whole thing.”
When asked how many team’s uniforms she has worked on, Tassien said that she has lost count, but knows it’s a minimum of 10 teams. She explained that what she loves is how involved everyone gets when it comes to the klopse.
“The energy and the excitement in the air, the hard work and seeing that everyone is happy is one of the reasons I love it,” she said.
She said that this time of the year is when the season is in full effect and when she is most busy. This year Tassien is working on 803 uniforms that have to be completed before next week’s parade.
Tassien has become a pro working on the uniforms, saying it takes her approximately 20 minutes to work on one. Her operation now does involve 10 other people helping her.
One of the things that she is proud of is how their work has had a positive influence on the community of Manenberg.
“We are based in Manenberg and everyone one is from the areas, we’re the only factory in Manenberg as far as I know that is working on klopse.
“I don’t think there is a lot of people who know that we’re working on the uniforms here.
“The reaction from the community itself is very good.”
She explained that a lot of people come see how they make the uniforms and to see what the excitement is about.
“You see a lot of children because they come see what the colours are all about, and you also see gangsters come too.”
Cape Argus