Mr. Stevens remembers when the coons wore costumes of the past. At times they were Spanish noblemen, complete with hose and doublet, or Englishmen with powdered wigs and buckled shoes.

Then again they pranced in costumes of the Nelson period, or cut stately figures as dashing Arab sheiks. They never wore kilts.

Mr. Stevens said that the number attached to various coons clubs had more than doubled in recent times.

The troupe which he and Mr. Davie Petersen controlled had about 400 members. The Traffic Control Authorities, however, would permit only about half that number to parade the streets.

“Scotsman Leads Cape Dancing Troupe, Believed to Be Only White Coon Captain”,
*Cape Times*, January 8, 1951. [DN]

31.

David Petersen, founder and captain of the Spes Bona Coons, familiarly known among the Coloured people as the “Beene” (from “bona”, hence “bones”!) or the “Spesies”, started life as a Coon at the age of 12. Now, at 40, practically a full-time professional Coon and club captain, he is a veteran of the New Year carnivals which every year enliven life both of Capetonians and also for thousands of visitors [...]

The Coon clubs generally get together on Sunday afternoons for rehearsals but Petersen says they always stop practising as soon as they hear the church bells ringing. Many of the members then go to church. The discipline imposed upon members at these club meetings includes fines for using bad language and some members are expelled for excesses in this direction. They must be properly dressed when they attend get-togethers and they are fined sixpence for non-attendance.

They know, too, that when the great New Year's Day dawns they must behave themselves in the streets. Otherwise their club is liable to have its permit withdrawn by the Traffic Department which every year reviews the different Coon club's right to march through the streets.

Petersen himself very much appreciates what the authorities do for the Coons. “The police do give us a lot of privileges at New Year,” he told me. “It is the only sport we can indulge in to our hearts’ delight and we look forward to it” [...]

Very few of us have a perception of the tremendous activity and excitement that lies behind this annual parade of the joyful, prancing, completely carefree Coons of Cape Town. Preparation for the street parades and carnivals on New Year's Day and *Tweedenuwejaar* begins right back in August, when the clubs start enrolling members and accepting first payments of the many instalments for his costume which every Coon makes. This year each member of the *Spesies* paid £2 10s. 6d. for his outfit
consisting of hat, coat, trousers and bow tie (members supply their own shirts, shoes and socks).

When a member has paid a certain amount as a “lay-bye” his measurements are taken and the coat and hat are given out to a tailor to make. Petersen himself buys the material and selects the annual colour combination [...]

With the aid of his wife, Petersen himself makes the trousers [...]

The costumes are gradually assembled at the captain's house. None are given out until dawn breaks on New Year's Day [...]

On the morning of the last Sunday of the year, the captain addresses his members. It is a straight talk — behave yourselves or else... He also gets down to financial brass-tacks [...] no squaring up of your instalments, no costumes. Some of them, who are a bit behind hand, plead with tears in their eyes for their costumes. They are rarely turned away [...]

At 6 a.m. on New Year's Day [...] the Coons [...] set to, with the aid of a special committee of helpers, to make up their faces.

First they put on a Coon blacking compound of the ashes of burnt cork and petroleum jelly (Petersen's own preparation) which does not burn their faces. Then they apply tubes of white “nigger paste” (their own description) to their lips, making each one happy in the illusion that he, too, is Al Jolson, the Coon's beloved hero, oracle and model. (The night Al died a few months ago there was hardly a street in District Six in which his favourite songs were not sung as a tribute to the creator of the Coon favourites “Sonny Boy” and “California Here I Come”.)

Their make-up ready, the Coons slip into their satin costumes and then muster for a song outside their club room, after which tradition demands that they troop off to give a rousing song to the tailors who have made their costumes. By noon they must be at their place of assembly, generally Sir Lowry Road Market.

From here the Coon troupes move on by established routes to their carnival ground singing as they march the popular ditty:

*“Haak, Skolly, haak*

*Hier kom die ‘Spesies’ aan*

— or the “Globies” or “Dixies” or whatever the name the club bears [...]

So keen is he to do the best for his troupe, that throughout the year he goes either to the Star or Avalon cinema in Hanover street every Friday and Saturday to pick up catchy tunes for carnival time or ideas for brightening up costumes or the dance and solo numbers his club will present at New Year [...]

He chooses the songs to be sung and, he insists, his troupe wants to sing popular tunes of the day and not only Afrikaans *liedjies* and *moppies*, something which we spectators, who are inclined to criticize Tin Pan Alley dirges at the carnival, should
remember. Mournful and sentimental songs appeal to something deep down in the
hearts of the Coloured people [...]

"Portrait of a Coon Captain", by George Aschman, *Cape Times*, January 20, 1951.
[DN]

32.

A bitter controversy over the influence of the coon carnival on Cape Coloured Children came to a head this week, when the principal of a large Coloured Primary School in Cape Town announced that he was strongly opposed to his pupils being members of coon teams during the holidays. He has decided to discourage such children from joining his school.

Disagreeing with this view, Mr. J.W.G. Allen, Director of the Western Province (Coloured) Jubilee Carnival Board, told the Cape Times yesterday that, as a former school teacher, and secretary of the Trafalgar Junior School Committee, he challenged the assertion that juvenile coons necessarily made bad pupils.

"We have found that the educated coons had a good influence on the rest and often the only way their talents could be brought to light was through the carnivals" he said.

"The coons also have a strict code of discipline. We give them regular lectures on good behaviour and many only come under such disciplinary influence as a result of being coons."

Mr. Allen said the schoolwork of the children who were coons was not affected. The carnivals took place in the holidays and the children were actually kept out of mischief.

The teachers, he said, did little to discipline the children in the holidays [...]

The principal disagreed with the coons as an institution. The Coloured people had advanced far beyond that stage, he said. The coons gave the impression that the Coloured people were still primitive.

He was however concerned only with the children as coons. His staff agreed. The children were easily influenced and there was a great deal of licence and lack of discipline at coon-time.

The children got into bad company and bad habits and he had several instances of boys becoming delinquents after they had joined the coons [...]

"School Opposition to Coon Carnival, Principal's Move to Keep Pupils Out, Alleges Malignant Influence", *Cape Times*, February 2, 1951. [DN]
33.

The controversy on the effects of coon carnivals on Coloured school children, reported
in the *Cape Times* on Friday, has led other school principals to express their opinions
on the matter.

The principal of a school in the crowded part of District Six said that participation by children in the coon carnivals kept them busy during the holidays and out of mischief [...] The children lived in overcrowded areas and had very little outlet for their energies. The coons gave them an opportunity to let off steam and so prevented delinquent tendencies.

The principal of another large Coloured School said that the coon movement showed
the Coloured person up in a bad light. Visitors to the Cape at New Year were given an
entirely wrong impression.

He did not discriminate against children who belonged to the coons, but discouraged
them from singing and dancing in the playgrounds after the fashion of the coons.

They sang questionable type of songs and contorted their bodies in a way that had a
bad psychological effect on the rest of the school children [...]

The principal of a third school said he had never noticed any bad effects on his pupils
as a result of the coons, with the possible exception of the loud way they sang in the
singing classes.

“School Principals On Coons”, *Cape Times*, February 5, 1951. [DN]

34.

[A "coon show", Jack Goodwin's "Coon Carnival", after being well received in Port Elizabeth and East London, is boycotted in Kimberley] Two reasons were given for the boycott.

The show was said to be "degrading and disgusting and not representative of the
Coloured people"; and exception was taken to the fact that there were separate
performances for European and non-European audiences [...]

Yesterday Mr. Goodwin said: "When we arrived on Tuesday we found notices in
shop windows, and pamphlets were being given away. The notices stated that there
was something sinister behind the carnival, inasmuch as it was thought to be
Government-sponsored.

Our reason for taking the show oversea — we are at present on a farewell tour —
was supposed to be for the purpose of ridiculing and belittling the Coloured people in
order to justify the Government's attitude towards them".

Mr. Goodwin said that his only reason for segregating audiences was to give
Coloured people the chance of getting the best seats at cheaper rates.
Although the pamphlets were anonymous, he knew who was behind the boycott. The police were now investigating the matter to see if communist influences were at work [...]

“Coon Carnival Boycotted”, *Cape Times*, February 5, 1951. [DN]

35.

As school manager of a large Coloured primary school in Cape Town, I would like to take this opportunity of expressing my views and also of clearing up a misapprehension.

In my opinion, the influence of membership in coon teams is, by and large, deplorable [...]

Whilst I will do all I can legitimately to protect our children from what I believe to be a bad influence, I cannot, as school manager, lend any support to coercion under threat of dismissal [...]

“From the Rev. P. Clark (Cape Town)”, *Cape Times*, February 8, 1951. [DN]

1952

36.

From Bo-Kaap — the Malay Quarter on the slopes of Signal Hill — to the uppermost reaches of Kanaladorp (which is District Six) there were sounds and sights of revelry and gaiety.

A particularly colourful scene was to be seen in Caledon street in the early afternoon of yesterday — *tweedenuwejaar* — when scores of troupes pranced down in a kaleidoscopic blaze of yellow, emerald, white, brown, and pink satin uniform [...]

All along the official route, which begins in the upper part of Wale street — the Coons’ traditional stamping ground — and continues through Spin and Mostert streets into Caledon and Hanover streets, people congregated in thousands.

There were picnics on the pavements everywhere and Cape Town’s Coloured community enjoyed the gaiety until a late hour.

“Infectious Gaiety of Coons”, *Cape Times*, January 7, 1952. [DN]

37.

In 1952, a popular “coon” and malay choir song was “Van Riebeeck se ding is Vim” (Van Riebeeck’s thing is finished) in response to the Van Riebeeck Tercentenary celebrations.

Jeppie 1990: 61. [AD]
38.

A section of the non-Europeans has decided to boycott the Van Riebeeck Festival on the grounds that:

(a) It symbolizes "300 years of oppression of the non-Europeans by the Europeans";

(b) the principle of *apartheid* is being applied; and

(c) it is a "Boer" festival.

Assuming for the moment that these are valid reasons, would a boycott be the best answer to the situation? Boycott or not, the Festival will not only take place but will take place on the broad lines originally planned. The only result of the boycott will be that the dissenting non-Europeans will deprive themselves of the chance to show South Africa and our oversea visitors what they can do, and thousands of Coloured school-children, who would otherwise have taken a happy and impressive part in this great national demonstration are to be deprived of this privilege by a group of reactionaries who are not yet mature enough to distinguish between political action and constructive propaganda in the non-political sphere.

[...] it would be disastrous to the non-European to dissociate himself from the European [...]

I am convinced that a great many Coloured people, to name but one section of the non-European community, do not agree with the violent views expressed by the reactionaries. They foresee danger to themselves in the non-European Unity Movement, and are strongly opposed to the communist drive which is being launched with more skill and energy than most Europeans realize [...]

"From: "NON-PREJUDICED" (Caledon)", *Cape Times*, January 23, 1952. [DN]

39.

The Coloured Coons are to stage their carnivals at the Van Riebeeck Stadium on Saturday and again on Monday, March 10, in spite of the wide-spread agitation among the Coloured people to boycott the Festival.

Mr. J.W.G. Allen, secretary and director of the Western Province Jubilee Coloured Carnival Board, which will present the coon carnivals, told the *Cape Times* yesterday that efforts had been made by political groups to get the Board to abandon the stadium show and to fall in line with the general boycott of the Festival.

But the coons would give the visitors to Cape Town an opportunity to see how the Coloured people traditionally interpreted the Festival spirit [...]

"No Festival Boycott by Coons", *Cape Times*, February 27, 1952. [DN]

40.

[...] I intend taking my children to as many of the exhibits and functions connected
with the Festival so that they can at least improve their general knowledge in a way they can never hope to at their schools.

[...] The fact remains that after the freeing of the slaves the Coloured people have made considerable progress, in spite of the many obstacles placed in their path. In their struggle many a White person stretched forward a helping hand [...]

As a "mixed race" we can lay claim to being the descendants of both Whites and non-Whites, and so the great heritage of Western civilisation is just as much ours as it is the Whites' [...]

The Coloured man's struggle is essentially an upward one, and if he follows the lead given by the frustrated he will never develop that initiative and courage that are so essential in his fight for political and economic justice.

"Coloured Boycott Opposed, From: "Coloured South African" (Cape Town)", *Cape Times*, March 14, 1952. [DN]

## 41.

[...] Printed pamphlets calling on non-Europeans to boycott the "anti-non-European Festival of race hatred" are being circulated in many non-European schools and townships in the Peninsula.

According to Mr. G.J. Golding, Principal of a Coloured school in Cape Town, many teachers are supporting the sentiments expressed in the pamphlets and a few have actually threatened to punish those of their pupils who attend the Festival [...]

The pamphlet now being circulated states that the purpose of the Festival is to "glorify and give thanks for 300 years of land piracy, racial oppression and economic exploitation. The people who are running the Festival are the same people who forced you into racially inferior schools, where you have inferior equipment" [...]

Mr. Golding said: "I do not think the non-Europeans have been dominated to such an extent that they could be called oppressed. My school will go to the Festival, and I have encouraged my pupils to attend it" [...]

"Festival Boycott Pamphlet", *Cape Times*, March 14, 1952. [DN]

## 42.

[...] To the visitors and spectators I say don't be misled (to quote Mr. J.W.G. Allen's words) "by the Coloured people's traditional interpretation of the festival spirit". I feel sure that a very large number of Coloured people will agree with me that, judged by the Coons, visitors will be made to think that the Coloured people are a happy and contented race.

Actually what have the Coloured people to be happy about? After 300 years of "contact with the Europeans" their position has improved very little. They are still
regarded as insolent, rude and ill-mannered and are expected to walk in the street when
a European is on the pavement.

The Coloured people have nothing to celebrate and it is unfortunate that a few coons
will create an entirely false impression of the Coloured people's innermost feelings [...]

"Festival Coons, From: Mr. R.E. DAVADOSS (19, 8th Avenue, Hazendale, Athlone)",
*Cape Times*, March 15, 1952. [DN]

43.

Mr. G.J. Golding, president of the Coloured People's National Union, called on the Coloured people of Cape Town yesterday to support the Festival and not to use it as an instrument to "vent our political grievances."

His appeal is a sequel to the publication of a pamphlet urging non-Europeans to boycott the Festival [...]

He said the organizers of the campaign had claimed that the Festival was designed to perpetuate the rule of the White oppressors who had held down the Coloured people for 300 years [...]

"In any case, the past 300 years have not been the period of oppression that people are asked to believe.

True, there have been periods of oppression, but the past 120 years have seen the march of a steady progress.

This period has been virtually free from political interference and people who wanted to get somewhere have been allowed the freedom to choose their professions and to select their place of abode [...]

In their anger over the *apartheid* legislation, the organizers of the boycott have permitted political grievances to cloud the real issue. In their opposition to these political matters, I share their anger and suggest that we share a common platform and organize a campaign to obliterate the undesirable Acts from the Statute Book”[...]

The Coloured people will look on the Festival in the same light as they do the Rosebank Show and the Liberty Cavalcade. They have already shown that they will not miss seeing the present wonderful exhibition [...]

"Do not Use Festival for Grievances — Golding", *Cape Times*, March 18, 1952. [DN]

44.

[...] the only "prominent" Cape Town Non-Europeans supporting the Festival are two political "coons". The vast majority of choir-members and "coons" are boycotting. They have, in so doing, ceased to be "coons" [...]

**What is a “Coon”?**
It would be well for members of “coon” troupes to understand and discard the name of “coon”. For one thing, it puts them in the same boat as Golding and Allen — and this boat sprang a leak as long ago as 1943.

For another, the word “coon” is a term of insult used by the *Herrenvolk*, here and in the Southern States of America. We read in the dictionary that “coon” means a “negro” or “a queer, sly fellow” or “a foxy, sly, crafty or cute fellow”. This holds good politically for a Quisling, but is an insult to ordinary “coon” members.

The “sly, cute, foxy” side of what a “coon” is in the eyes and language of the White racialist seems to have something to do with an American animal called a “raccoon” or “coon” for short. The American Whites transferred this name to their slaves. The racialism of this transfer is obvious when we look at the dictionary description of this animal: “*an animal that scratches with his hands, found in America... (it) awakes at night, climbs trees... It is chiefly grey, with black and white facial markings*”. The definition ends with an insult to members of “coon” clubs, but an accurate description of a political “coon”. “*Its amusing ways cause it to be often kept as a pet*” (by the *Herrenvolk*, of course!)

## How “Coons” Began

Basically, the “coon” songs started from folk songs in the days of slavery. At first they were *songs of lament*, mourning the Batavian and African homeland from which the slaves were taken and which they would never see again. Likewise the dispossessed Khoi-Khoin would play folk music on the gora to mourn the loss of their land, herds and freedom. Only later did the gora become a “gay” instrument. These melancholy, nostalgic folk-tunes, dances and songs underwent profound changes as the slaves sank down into acceptance of slavery.

Then the music changed from lament to thanksgiving submission and acknowledgement of the authority of the slave owner. The old words would often remain but had lost their meaning. The old tunes were “jazzed up” to express joy, not sadness. This diverted the minds of the people from the past, from the longing for their lost freedom. It also made them forget and accept their present sufferings. It made them imagine that they felt happy. And it brought joy to the fatty heart of the pirates, loafers, criminals, sea-sick sailors and disgraced officials who were the slave-owning masters at the Cape.

The songs of submission now became songs for the amusement and entertainment of the slave-holding scum who laughed coarsely at the “amusing ways” of their slaves. The slaves became poorer and thinner but sang louder the praises of slavery, of the masters, of slaves-hips and of slave-states. *They were celebrating their enslavement for the amusement of the Herrenvolk.*

## The Masters call the Tune
From a popular, spontaneous art, the music, songs and dances became gross affairs organised by “boss-boys” and “good slaves”. The slave owner cracked his whip and the slaves worked; he called the tune and they sang. The people were expropriated musically. They lost control of their music. This was part of the enslavement of the mind. Body, mind and music now belonged to the masters.

With control of slave music in the hands of the masters they began to call the tune. In the 18th century American Whites began to go about dressed as “Negro minstrels”, imitated the slaves, painted their faces black and their mouths white, mocked the voices and songs of slave impersonated them, cheapened their jokes, in short made “coons” of *the Negro slaves*.

This farce became a tragedy. For now the slaves began to imitate their imitators: “Coon” clubs arose taking their songs from the minstrels. The Du Plessis’ wrote moppies, uncultured nonsense, to humble the people. The people mocked themselves with the music of their masters. As with their ideas so now their music came from the rulers.

## Times are Changing

But things are changing. The du Plessis of two centuries became laughing stocks in the eyes of the “coons” themselves as they join the boycott of the Festival.

A tiny handful of “coon” and choir members support du Plessis and his butlers, Golding and Allen. The vast majority of “coons” are joining the rest of the people. And this will make them take the decision themselves to cease calling themselves “coons”. And they will sing not of the past, not to the present, but for the future, their future, our future, as free people. They are taking the first steps to sing no longer for the *Herrenvolk* but for the people.

“Behind the festival of hate, The Cape Coloureful Coons”, by “Boycott”, *The Torch*, March 25, 1952: 2. [GM]

## 45.

Mr. M.A. Segal, one of the chief organizers of to-day’s Malay Pageant in the Festival Stadium, told me last night that, in spite of the wide-spread boycott campaign of the past few weeks, all the events would be staged as planned and none of the performers had resigned.

Dr. I.D. du Plessis, Commissioner for Coloured Affairs, said yesterday that there had been a great deal of agitation to get the Malay people to boycott the Festival, but the collaboration of the groups concerned had been splendid. Those taking part in the Pageant to-day would, he felt sure, look back on the occasion with pride.

The Malay Pageant will consist of about 30 floats showing the highlights in Malay history and will give a survey of their development as a people and their identification with life in South Africa.
About 200 Malay men and women will perform in the Pageant, which will begin with the arrival of Sheik Joseph as a political exile at the Cape.

He will be on a float with the ship Voetboeg, which was built by a Malay craftsman, Mr. A.S. Gool. The artistic touches were added by Mr. E. Gasant, a Malay schoolteacher.

Other floats will show the Malays as soldiers, fishermen, craftsmen, firemen, sportsmen and professional men. Glimpses will also be given of their ceremonial life, including a colourful Malay Wedding.

Dr. Du Plessis told me that rumours had been spread that certain items would be presented at the Pageant that might offend the religious scruples of the Malays. This was incorrect. The whole Pageant programme has received the official sanction of the Moslem Judicial Council [...]

"Coloured People's Pageants To-Day, Boycott Plan Finds No Support, Close Identity with S.A. Life", *Cape Times*, April 2, 1952. [DN]

46.

Eleven Coloured men of the Coon Carnival troupe and their European manager, Mr. Redvers Arthur Richardson, of Cape Town, have been refused passports by the Government to visit England with their show at the end of the year [...]

Yesterday, Mr. Sonny Lloyd, who had trained them for the tour, told me that negotiations to obtain passports had been broken off last week when the Government refused to give the men permission to leave the country.

No reason has been given for the refusal [...]

He [Mr. Lloyd] did not think that the members of the troupe had been refused passports because they had not been prepared to take part in the Van Riebeeck Festival.

They had been approached by Dr. I.D. du Plessis, the Commissioner of Coloured Affairs, who was also the chairman of the non-European Committee of the Festival.

They had found the conditions governing their participation unacceptable but, in particular, they took into consideration the attitude of the Coloured people generally towards the Festival and had, therefore, declined the offer.

He said that the Coon Carnival had no connection with the coons that put on shows at the Stadium during the Van Riebeeck Festival.

Dr. Du Plessis told me that he could neither confirm nor deny the report that the Coon Carnival members had been refused passports [...]

"No Passports for Coon Troupe", *Cape Times*, July 15, 1952. [DN]
47.

It is to be hoped that Dr. I.D. du Plessis was not suggesting a reason for the refusal of passports to the 11 Coloured “Coons” when he said “I think the troupe would give an erroneous impression of the Coloured people’s achievements” [...]

“Protecting Culture” [editorial], *Cape Times*, July 22, 1952. [DN]

48.

Mr. Sonny Lloyd, European director of the Cape Western Coon Carnival, which will be presenting its carnivals at the Rosebank Showgrounds at the New Year, told the *Cape Times* yesterday that there would be nothing degrading in the performance that the “moffies”, or female impersonators, would be giving in association with the coons.

Mr Lloyd was replying to criticisms that the introduction of the female impersonators into the Coon Carnival at Rosebank was out of keeping with the spirit of the carnival [...]

Mr. J.W.G. Allen, director of the Western Province Jubilee Coloured Carnival Board, told the *Cape Times* that “moffies” or female impersonators never did form part of the traditional coon carnivals. The coons themselves did not approve of them and the advanced Coloured people maintained that the “moffies” were not an uplifting feature of any show [...]

“No ‘Moffie’ Emphasis in Coon Shows”, *Cape Times*, December 30, 1952. [DN]

1953

49.

[...] The troupes were spread among five rival coon boards of control that held their singing and dancing competitions at Rosebank, Mowbray, Goodwood, Green Point and in the Cape Town City Hall.

One coon portrayed the Coelecanth, several welcomed the new Queen and one troupe mourned the late King George VI [...]

At Rosebank Show Grounds the coon competitions were preceded by a troupe of Moffies or female impersonators [...]

“Pavement Picnics to See Coons”, *Cape Times*, January 3, 1953. [DN]

50.

[...] The Gangs work as business organisations, and have a finger in every pie [...] a profitable side-line was established during the war years. In July and August “traveller” went round to the various coon carnival teams, and took orders for the cloth — then almost unobtainable in retail stores — from which the costumes for the Carnival were to be made. Careful note was made as to quantities and colours required. During
September and October a wave of warehouse robberies took place. Early in November the orders were fulfilled [...]

The modern Coon Carnival is highly commercialised... and some of the money received without doubt and directly or indirectly sticks to the fingers of the various gang leaders. But this is an unimportant facet of an event which serves a great social purpose. On Coon Carnival Day the Coloured performer is a king, throwing aside all social barriers. The Carnival itself, apart from its glamour and fun, is a sociological safety valve [...]

"District Six, Crime and Carnival", Written by Peter Godfrey, Illustrated by William Pappas, *Spotlight*, July 1953: 15. [GM]

51.

More than 7,000 performers will combine to make the Peninsula's traditional coon carnival one of the biggest and most colourful ever held.

As in previous years, the key men are the tailors, for much will depend on the speed with which they complete their orders before the coons begin their marches on Friday [...]

The carnivals will be the culmination of weeks of intensive training by these traditional New Year revellers.

They have been practicing their songs and band numbers in strict secrecy and no troupe knows what the colours and costume designs of the others will be.

Practice marches have been made through the streets. With twanging mandolines and strumming banjos, bands of men have been singing, dancing and laughing in the side streets and highways of the city. None wore his coon costume.

Then on New Year's Day and on the ever-popular *Tweedenuwejaar* (Second New Year) they will all toss aside their everyday clothes and emerge like butterflies from the drab and poor areas of the city in all their sartorial elegance [...]

Already the streets of Bo-Kaap — on the slopes of Signal Hill — and those in District Six — on the lower reaches of Devil's Peak — have been festooned with brightly assorted offcuts of coon costume material to signify that the Coloured people of the city are in festive mood and a merry, eating, drinking, singing time is at hand.

"7,000 Coons' Great Day this Week, City Revellers' Secret Preparations", *Cape Times*, December 30, 1953. [DN]
It was a good idea — while it lasted — to bring the spirit of carnival to a work-a-day Cape Town.

They planned to march — 1,000 coons in bright silks and satins, their colours flying in the sunlight to the music of 31 bands — in a grand parade through the heart of the city.

It was something that had never been done before. The idea was put to Mr. A.S.A. East (a City Councillor), by Mr. "Sonny" Lloyd, organizer of the Cape Western Coon Carnival Board. Mr. East put it to the Town Clerk.

The Town Clerk "agreed in principle", but referred it to the Traffic Department.

And they said: "No".

"The dislocation of traffic would be as bad as it was during the royal visit", was the firm reply.

And so on Saturday [January 9] there will be no rainbow parade through the streets of Cape Town.

"1,000 Wanted to March, Carnival Parade is Banned", *Argus*, January 7, 1954. [DN]

Many in Cape Town are disappointed at the Traffic Department's refusal to allow the Coons to hold a mass parade through the City.

Nearly everyone wants to see the Coons march.

Since yesterday's report of the Traffic Department's decision the Argus telephone exchange has been humming with indignant calls [...]

Continental agreement comes from a Hollander, Mr. B. Tenkate of Wynberg, and his French wife.

"In Europe we have festivals all the time and everyone is happy. Why not here? It would be something to write home about for us."

Mr. A.S.A. East, a City Councillor, to whom the idea was first suggested by the Coons' organizer said: "I have been inundated with telephone calls all day. I had 54 before lunch."

Housewives, businessmen, doctors, office workers — they all say yes.

But Mr. E.E. Turner, Traffic Superintendant, has the last word. And that word is "no".

"They Want To See the Coons March", *Argus*, January 8, 1954. [DN]
54.

Crowds blocked the streets and dislocated the city's first coon carnival parade to-day.

Afterwards the Chairman of the Traffic Control Committee (Mr. W.L. Young) said: "I feel the public has been badly let down by the traffic control arrangements. I intend to investigate the whole matter."

"There appeared to be fewer traffic policemen on duty than on an ordinary Saturday morning."

"Speaking personally, I am disgusted at the arrangements which were made."

Mr. S. Lloyd (organizer of the Cape Western Coon Carnival Board) said: "Although many streets were supposed to have been closed to traffic, I found cars at the forming up area trying to drive through the middle of my troupes."

"Hold Up in Coon Parade to Be Investigated", *The Cape Argus*, January 3, 1955: 1.
[DN]

55.

Nearly 2,000 brilliantly-costumed coons scrambled and elbowed their way through a vast crowd in the centre of Cape Town to-day.

The Coons were taking part in the first Coon Carnival parade to be held in the City Centre and the crowds mobbed them before they reached Adderley street.

The few traffic policemen who were on duty found it impossible to cope with the surging spectators.

The Deputy Mayor (Mr. P.J. Wolmarans) who took the salute from the City Hall steps said: "It is obvious to me that the traffic police were quite unprepared for this huge crowd and were unable to control it" [...]

Mr. Wolmarans added: "The crowds to-day prove that this show had the support of 90 per cent of Cape Town.

As an annual event, it would draw thousands of visitors to Cape Town."

"Coon Parade Upset by Huge Crowds in City", *The Cape Argus*, January 3, 1955: 2.
[DN]

56.

What had promised to be the most spectacular parade of coons ever to be held through the streets of Cape Town ended in a fiasco yesterday, as apparently uncontrolled
crowds in Darling Street and Adderley Street brought the marchers to a halt in chaotic confusion.

The crowd was estimated to be bigger than that for the Royal visit in 1947 and it obstructed the route to be taken by the 10 troupes in the parade utterly disrupting the flow of traffic [...]

"This enormous seething mass of humanity — it was the biggest crowd I had ever seen in Cape Town — was completely uncontrolled", Mr. W.L. Young, chairman of the Traffic Committee of the Cape Town City Council, told the *Cape Times* last night.

"Something should have been done by the Traffic Department who were conspicuous by their absence. My committee will go into the matter this week" [...]

A traffic constable who was on duty at the "parade" said: "The mess-up was the coons' fault, and I do not see why we should take the blame.

There ought to have been more organization among the troupes. They wanted to go just where they liked and refused to follow instructions" [...]

"Record Crowd Could Not See Coons, Uncontrolled Mob Make Parade a Fiasco", *Cape Times*, January 4, 1955. [DN]

57.

The chairman of the [Cape Town City Council's Traffic Control] committee (Mr. W.L. Young) said to-day: "The popularity of the procession was grossly underestimated."

This was the first organized procession through the streets and we had no precedent to indicate how many spectators would attend. The crowds were much larger than expected.

But now we know. I see no reason why there should not be a similar procession next year" [...]

"Now we know says traffic chairman", *Argus*, January 7, 1955. [DN]

58.

After that incident the local state disallowed the use of the city centre for the purposes of festival.

Jeppie 1990: 59. [AD]

59.

It is now clear that the crowd who gathered in Cape Town on Monday to see the procession of coon troupes far exceeded any official estimate of what could be expected. The fiasco, however, can be regarded as the price that has been paid for the assurance that should there be a similar parade next year it will be properly organized.

The large turn-out of people of all races was an unmistakable indication of the strength of public interest in Cape Town's annual Coon Carnival. On the ground of
that demonstration alone there should be no hesitation about giving permission for a
procession next year, especially as the Traffic Control Committee of the City Council
has decided that if there is a parade adequate control arrangements will be made.

The Coon Carnival has become a feature of the New Year celebration in Cape Town. It is deservedly popular, especially with holiday visitors, and as an indigenous and distinctive festival of colour and gaiety it has acquired almost a world-wide renown. If the coon troupes are willing to display the fruits of their ingenuity to the wider witness of a public procession they should be encouraged to do so. Experience with street pageants in Cape Town should ensure that the maximum of pleasure is given to both coons and spectators.

“Profiting from a mistake”, *Argus*, January 7, 1955. [DN]

60.

Whatever else may be said about the Coons, one fact cannot be denied, and that is their
popularity. That they could attract a crowd bigger than that which welcomed the Royal
Family is proof of their fame; that the crowds disorganized the city to an unprecedented
extent at the New Year is proof of their infection spirit.

One point must be made right at the outset in considering this subject. While all
Coons are Coloured people, all the Coloured people are not Coons! There is a sharp
division of opinion among the Coloured people about whether the Coons are a blessing
or a curse; whether they should be encouraged or condemned [...]

Those who support the Coon idea say that it keeps the Coons out of trouble, keeps the crime rate down, give these people a harmless outlet for their emotions and entertains the rest of us.

This, combined with the fact that certain charities benefit from the carnivals and concerts, and that there is held to be an element of leadership, initiative and organization called forth and strengthened, appear to be the main points in support of the Coons.

The anti-Coons will probably not dispute these, or most of these contentions. But
their opposition is based on the attitude of the Europeans.

The reader is reminded that this is South Africa, where everything is seen through
tinted spectacles, the tint depending on the skin-colour of the viewer. The objection to
the Coons is then no to the Coons as such, to their gaiety, their dress, their songs, their
dances or their "tricks". But to the identification of the Coons with the Coloured people.

These people feel that the Coons are a colossal caricature of the Coloured people as
a whole. They feel that the city is put at the disposal of the Coons because they show
up the Coloured people in an undesirable light [...]

A large proportion of the visitors to the processions, this year, as always, was
composed of Europeans, mostly visitors from the platteland. They will hear about
Coloured people in their cultural, educational and political discussions, and when they
do so the picture which will come up in their minds will be the picture of gaudily
attired, crazily cavorting Coons.

Can these people be given political rights? Can they live next to us? Must we be
taxed to pay for their education? Must our sons and daughters go to university with
them? These are some of the questions which they will ask.

Then, too, we are asked by the anti-Coons why there is always separate provision
made for Europeans at the carnivals and concerts. Why cannot they sit with the
Coloured people seeing that they are being entertained by the Coloured people? Is it
because they can pay more and are thus being compelled to do so, or is it to perpetuate
the idea of separation and increase the Europeans' feeling of superiority? [...]

"Coon carnival — is it a curse or a blessing?", by Dr. R.E. Van Der Ross, *Cape Times*,
January 29, 1955. [DN]

61.

Mr. F.M. Adams [General Secretary, Gleemoor and District Minstrel Board] told the *Cape Times* that an attempt would be made to revive the picturesque type of carnival of 50 years ago when there was a greater variety in the type of carnival dress.

At that time the revellers at New Year wore the dress of the nations of the world.

There were Spanish noblemen, Lords of London, desert Arabs and highwaymen.
Doublets and hose, three-cornered hats and cloaks were part of the coon regalia.

The men who took part in these old carnivals were not called “coons” — their
organizations were called “clubs”. The Afrikaans word for the present-day “coons” still
preserves this idea as they are called *klopse* (clubs) [...]

"Coons Will Don Period Costumes", *Cape Times*, December 6, 1955. [DN]

1956

62.

So far as the White people are concerned, South Africa is a singularly joyless country.
Outside the sports fields there is almost no pure fun and less gaiety. Our so-called
festivals are dull, and our people spend too much of their lives disapproving of
enjoyment and trying to reform one another.

A brighter note in this generally sombre picture is struck once a year by the Coon
Carnival. This, too, has its critics, not least among the Cape Coloured people
themselves, who are deeply divided over it. Some regard it as an undignified spectacle,
in which their people make an exhibition of themselves and expose their community
to the patronizing amusement of the Whites. For others it is the natural expression of
that love of life and that gift of living it with gaiety and zest, in spite of poverty and
hardship, that are among the most notable characteristics of the Coloured section of
our people.

Let us hope the killjoys will not prevail. The annual festival with fancy costumes and music and song, is not something that belongs of right to the Coloured people, and not only a valued part of the traditions of Cape Town, it also adds a vivid touch to the rather pedestrian holidays of South Africa. It is no more undignified than the similar carnivals in which the Southern Europeans give expression to the love of life and the joy of living [...]

That dismal kind of pleasure which consists of disapproving of others in order to convince oneself of one's own moral superiority is not a virtue, and if it has become the besetting sin of the White people, that is no reason why others should imitate it. The very fact that the inhibited Whites form such a large audience shows that they are conscious of a gap in their own lives which is filled by the carnival [...]

“The carnival spirit”, *Cape Times*, January 3, 1956 [DN] [editorial]

## 63.

Cape Town's coons will not march through the city on New Year's Day.

The City Council decided to-day to refuse a request by the organizer of the Cape Western Carnival Board (Mr. S.L. Lloyd) for permission to stage a mass parade of coons in Cape Town on January 1.

Last New Year, on January 3, the coons marched from the Grand Parade up Darling and Adderley Streets, which were roped off and policed by the council at a cost of about £ 100.

The council to-day accepted without discussion its Traffic Control Committee's recommendations that the coons' application be rejected.

“Council Will Not Allow Coon March”, *Cape Times*, November 29, 1956. [DN]

## 64.

Mr. Sonny Lloyd, organizer of the Cape Western Carnival Board, whose Coons will not be allowed to hold a mass parade through the Centre of Cape Town at the New Year, yesterday told the *Cape Times*: “I feel that if the City Council considers that the great enjoyment my parade gives to thousands of visitors is not worth a measly £ 100, the finances of the City Council must be in a sorry state” [...]

“I believe”, he said, “that all this arises out of my refusal to co-operate with the Community Chest in their Mardi Gras to be held on January 12” [...]

“Protest by Coon Board Organizer”, *Cape Times*, November 30, 1956. [DN]
65.

A Cape Town industrialist, Mr. Cecil Marks, offered to-day to pay the City Council £100 for the expense of staging a New Year's Day coon parade through the centre of the city [...]

Mr. Marks said: "[...] The coon parade may cost the council £100, but it means infinitely more than that to the city in terms of a tourist and holiday attraction."

The chairman of the council's Traffic Control Committee (which recommended that the council refuse permission for the parade), Mr. C. Barnett, said: "The decision had nothing to do with the £100 expense."

The committee's feeling was that in the past the parade had caused confusion and chaos in the city. This was why permission was refused."

"£100 Offered City for Coon March", *Cape Times*, November 30, 1956. [DN]

1957

66.

In December 1957, Alex La Guma spotted a trouper, "with a picture of Herr Strijdom sewed to the seat of his pants."

Jeppie 1990: 61. [AD]

67.

[...] A section of the Coloured community disapproves of the coon shows, they feel that coons are a caricature of the Coloured people and that the carnival presents the Coloured person to the European spectator in an undesirable light.

These anti-coons do not deny the attractiveness of the coon performances. But they fear that people may think that the coons typify the Coloured people.

It would be a pity if this viewpoint prevailed. The coons appear to be an uninhibited expression of the Coloured people's zest for living in the face of hardship and poverty.

"That Fantastic, Colourful Character, the Coon, Steps Out", *Argus*, January 2, 1957. [DN]

1958

68.

Because of the coon carnival, there was a scarcity of caddies at Green Point where the Metropolitan Golf Club played its second round in the Atkinson Cup Competition. However, by shortening their sets, many of the players carried their own clubs with fair comfort and performed as well as though they had 14 clubs in the bag.

"Caddies Went to the Coon Carnival", *Cape Times*, January 10, 1958. [DN]
69.

[...] There is a clash of interests here. The Europeans come to see the coons dance, clown, sing and play as they trip lightly to their string music.

To the Coloured folk, the big draw is the choir and solo contest between four carnival boards that is being staged. The best vocal talents the Coloureds can produce is on the platform, work has been in progress for four months to stage this show, but the European do not know if the Golden Crooning Minstrels are scoring points for the Cape of Good Hope Coons, for the Cape Peninsula Coons, for the Carnival Coronation or for the Jubilee Carnival [...]

"Will Stage Contests Kill Newlands Coon Parade?", *Argus*, January 13, 1958. [DN]

1959

70.

[...] Anyone can join, the coons are essentially democratic, and they have Coloured, Malay, African and even White members. Yes, there are some White coons who blacken their faces and don costume with the others. One wonders whether Job Reservation won't have something to say about this! But Mr. Allen emphasizes that earlier coon organizers were people of good social standing, like the late Mr. Barron and Mr. Willie Cupido. To-day there are still several teachers and school principals who help with the organization, which shows that they see some good in the whole idea.

Organizers are extremely jealous of their reputation, and of that of their men. Perhaps this is because they know that many people look down on coons, and so they try to show that their members can behave well. All speak of careful schooling of their members, and, what is more important, of the men's self-discipline, in order that their troupes may not fall into disgrace. Drunkenness is frowned upon, and can lead to loss of points. Orderliness in procession, in spite of what may seem to be a disorderly march, is important, and close attention to the instructions of the organizers is demanded during the performance.

Although many of the coons have not had the benefit of much (or any) schooling, it is surprising how they respond to the educational influences present in the whole organization. For instance Mr. Sonny Lloyd visits his troupes during training and sees that their musicians get some training in the basic chords and harmonics from none other than Mr. Joseph Manca. They have, he says, to be shown the essential continuity of the music, and how to eliminate the pauses which lead to "dragging".

Mr. Allen reports that his captains make use of the better educated youths for registration, recording payments, writing songs. This adds to their prestige and causes the illiterate ones to desire to go to school and to write as well. Thus many youngsters see the value of education and literacy for the first time through their association with the coons! This is surely a poor commentary on our social system [...]
So often am I asked what my personal opinions are of the coons, that I feel I must give them here. One may as well ask: What do you think of breathing? For to the troupe members, this is like life and breathing at this time of the year. As long as it continues to give fun and good, clean entertainment to thousands of people, most of whom have less than their fair share of happiness anyway, let it continue. If, as claimed, it serves to uplift many, keep them out of trouble, teach them orderliness and respect for the right conduct of affairs, so much the better. I do not like the reserving of special seats and the paying of special prices for Europeans. I think the happy atmosphere would do better if it could work through a mixed crowd and if Black and White could mix and laugh freely. And if any should think that coons are degrading simply because they caper in public, what of the jive and bebop?

"Origins of the Coons; Anyone Can Join", by R.E. Van Der Ross, *Cape Times*, January 8, 1959. [DN]

1961

71.

[...] One coloured man appeared in [Cape Town Magistrate's Court] dressed in his Coon trousers. He was charged with making a noise in the street. The prosecutor, Mr. P. May, withdrew the case against him, saying:

"After all, what is a Coon Carnival for if not to make a noise?"

After the court adjourned, Mr. May said the number of cases of drunkenness this New Year was not high. People were probably too busy with their carnivals to drink.

"Coon Carnival Must Be Noisy Says Official", *Cape Times*, January 4, 1961. [DN]

72.

[...] As the big day draws closer, practice sessions become more and more like the tuning of an instrument, devotedly being tuned, searching for and pursuing the proper key which would win it the applause and admiration of thousands [...]

During the smoke break I was allowed to see one of the closest guarded secrets of the year, the "gear" (costume) — white panama hat, white gloves and colourful pants and coat tails of a special design. (I have promised to keep the colours a secret). In the inner sanctity of the house where such plots are hatched, the bedroom, only the captain and myself were allowed to see the full "gear". The ordinary members of the troupe see it for the first time on New Year's morning when they put it on.

"Voetsek, off with you!" Another little curious, but definitely uninvited guest has found his way through an opening in the fence, desperately trying to get a look at the coons. The little boy, backside hanging out of his pants flees hurriedly, scattering a few dogs and two small children.
The Coons are his heroes. So are they the heroes of most little boys in Athlone, Claremont, District Six of wherever Coon troupes exist. One and all are dreaming about the day that they, too, can join the Coons — join in the frolicking, merriment song and dance down the streets of Cape Town towards Green Point Common or strutting and prancing through suburban streets to Hartleyvale.

Almost all Coons are Coloured. (I say almost, because there are many Whites who join the fun down Cape Town's streets on New Year's Day. There is even one who leads his own troupe every year). Not all Coloureds are Coons, however. Many Coloured people disapprove of the Coons.

A Malay friend of mine goes as far as to speak of the *Skandaal Klopse* (Scandal Coons), meaning those who paint their faces and prance and gambol in the streets on January 1. Those people feel that the Coons are caricatures of the real Coloured people and that the Carnival represents the Coloured to the European spectator in an improper way.

However, the detractors do not deny the attractiveness of the spectacle. Their only fear is that others may think the Coons typify the Coloured people. But surely the Coons are just an unrestrained expression of the Coloured people's zest for living in the face of poverty and hardships?

"And Jan Badenhorst Visits Some Troupes in Secret Practice, They Prepare for Cape Town's Gayest Days of the Year", *Cape Times*, December 30, 1961. [DN]

73.

Soon Cape Town's streets will once more echo to the rhythmic twang of the banjo and guitar [...] in their traditional manner the Coons will usher in another new year. Again this will be the signal for the renewal of the never-ending controversy as to whether or not the activities of the Coons have a detrimental effect on the progress of the Coloured community.

Again it will be said that these exhibitions are ape-like and tend to degrade the community in the eyes of all other race groups; that all efforts towards educational and social uplift undertaken during the year are nullified in this "debasing" welter of inanities at the end of the year.

Again the answer will come that any section is entitled to seek recreation and outlet for innocent exuberance in the manner of their own choosing without their so-called more educationally and culturally advanced brothers and sisters looking down their noses at them.

These arguments we have all heard, but I recently listened to a new point of view in favour of the Dixie-minded boys. An elderly member of our community wanted to know why when the well-fed more-privileged university students dresses up in an absurd costume and dances round the streets at "Rag" time, we are all tolerantly
amused and say what an extremely funny fellow he is, but the moment the poor semi-
iliterate barrow boy does precisely the same thing, we turn sour?

Can it be, he wants to know, that those of us who so freely condemn the Coons are
actually socially immature — education and university “geskrik” — in that we will
countenance anything provided it emanates from a seat of learning? [...]

"Coons and Minstrels, Dances until Dawn and the Japanese New-Whites", by Pertinax, *Die Banier*, Desember 1961: 12. [GM]

1962

74.

One Sonny Lloyd, veteran organiser of coon carnivals and veteran collaborator and
organiser of segregated shows where the oppressed caper for their basies, wants to
carry his activities to their logical conclusion by handing the coons over to the C.A.D
[Coloured Affairs Department].

He doesn't like the idea of the coons being organised under five different boards in
the Peninsula. This looks far too much like independence where people can do as they
please among themselves. He would like to see them all firmly owned and controlled
by the City Council or the C.A.D. with himself as the head organiser, of course. It is no
accident that he would like to see a job at present being done by five different people
converted into a king-sized one for himself alone, with the C.A.D. as employer.

The clubs should see to it that collaborators like Lloyd be put firmly in their place
and that the clubs be maintained independently of the C.A.D.

"Coons and the C.A.D.", *The Torch*, January 17, 1962: 7. [GM]

1963

75.

[...] The tightened tax law on entertainments in the Cape has prevented the Community Chest from sponsoring its annual Coon Carnival at Newlands, and directors of other minstrel boards fear they may have to cancel their carnivals or raise admission prices if they do not get a tax exemption [...]

A coon carnival had been sponsored for many years by the Community Chest and
had been a big source of revenue for the 37 charities it supported. The carnival held
last New Year's Day attracted 12 000 people.

Mr. Sonny Lloyd, director of the Cape Western Minstrel Board, said yesterday that he would sponsor the carnival himself and would apply for a full tax exemption. He had ordered expensive silks from Japan and tailors were already busy making the costumes [...]
Mr. J.W.G. Allen, director of the Western Province Coloured Jubilee Board, said his carnival has been arranged to take place at the Goodwood Showgrounds and he was negotiating with the Provincial Administration for a tax exemption.

"With the new tax ruling we will have to increase the admission price which is already heavy for Coloured people. We used to contribute to charities till we were forced to pay tax two years ago. Now there is nothing left to contribute — in fact tax people have told us we still owe them money for the past two years."

The amendment to the entertainment tax ordinance which came into force this year provides for a tax exemption — if no less than 60 per cent of the receipts from the charges of admission to the entertainment are given to charity [...]

"Coon Shows Hit by Tax Ruling", *Cape Times*, December 10, 1963. [DN]

76.

Mr. [Sonny] Lloyd said that the film [on the coon carnival planned by Charles Berman, a Johannesburg film maker] would help to offset rumours overseas about the so-called suppression of the Coloured people. It would just show how much was being done for them.

*Argus*, December 23, 1963. [DN]

77.

[...] Four years ago [i.e. 1963] there was a return to the name "minstrels". The prime mover behind this was Mr. Sonny Lloyd, a tailor who has organised carnivals for the past 17 years. He felt there was a stigma attached to the name "coons" and that, anyway, the original name was "minstrels".

"Colourful Coons Dance New Year In", Pictures and Report by Jan Badenhorst, *Sunday Times Magazine Section*, January 1, 1967. [WM]

1964

78.

[...] Thousands of people lined the main streets in District Six and the route through the city up Wale street to the Malay Quarter on Signal Hill yesterday and on New Year's Day to watch the coon troupes resplendent in their carnival dress, dancing and singing.

Popular, too, were the Malay Choirs, who, led by bands, marched through the city throughout the day. They all wore smart blazers, and tapped the ground with their walking-sticks as they marched along.

"Colourful Coons Liven the City", *Cape Times*, January 3, 1964. [DN]
79.

Three policemen were slightly injured at the Green Point Track on Saturday when a coon carnival, attended by about 12 000 people, broke up in a hail of bottles, warning shots from the police and the growling of police dogs at troublemakers' heels [...]

The trouble broke out among non-Whites after a disagreement over the award of trophies at the carnival organized by the Cape Original Coon Carnival Board [...]

Mr. Abdullah J. Janoodien, chairman of the Cape Original Coon Carnival Board, which organized the carnival at the Track, blamed the crowd for starting trouble by throwing bottles.

He said there was disagreement between the Hollywood Minstrels and the Star Spangles. The Star Spangles had won nearly all the first prizes.

Some Hollywood coons, disheartened, snatched their own trophies and threw them on the ground. The police told them to pick them up and resume their places. At this stage the crowd started throwing bottles [...]

A *Cape Times* photographer, Mr. Harry Tyler, [...] describing the incident [said:] "A personal fight broke out between two coons over the award of trophies. At this stage, the police and reservists were posted between the stands and the crowd of coons and they were strenuously trying to hold back the coons as they pressed forward.

Suddenly, mineral and other bottles rained from the stand on the police, and they were quickly picked up and flung back by coons and some spectators standing behind them [...]

A group of policemen sheltering in the grandstand entrance tunnel were peppered with missiles — stones, sticks, and bottles — and some drew revolvers and fired in the air [...]

One policeman, spat upon by a coon, calmly wiped his jacket and walked off”.

"Bottle Brawl, Shots at Coon Show, Missiles Rained on Police: Arrests", *Cape Times*, January 6, 1964. [DN]

80.

[...] One Sea Point motorist, whose car was caught in a traffic jam in Somerset Road, Green Point, said afterwards that the coons streaming across the road were not content with threading their way through the stationary traffic but climbed over the stopped cars.

Two of the coons assaulted him and then snatched off his spectacles valued at R 25.

When he got out of his car to chase the culprits, other coons hit him with their walking sticks and advised him "not to be foolish" [...]

"Three of the Four Police Hurt in Brawl Back on Duty", *Argus*, January 6, 1964. [DN]
81.

To the Editor, The Argus

Sir. — On Saturday at 7.40 p.m. my husband drove his car through Rose Street, Cape Town. He had my young daughter and her friend in the car.

There were hundreds of Coons milling around and my husband stopped his car to let the Coons pass.

Without any warning, without provocation on his part some of the Coons attacked the car. Two of them began to hit my husband through the window.

Others rained blows with sticks and tried to open the doors and threw bricks at the windows which luckily were closed [...]

“Night Incident”, *Argus*, January 6, 1964. [DN]

82.

To the Editor, The Argus

Sir. — I am justified in saying that certain coons are a lot of hooligans and that no self respecting Coloured person will sing and dance in the streets, even though it is supposed to be traditional.

[...] I, as a respectable Coloured man, feel most disgusted and ashamed (and do so many others of my race) at the behaviour of certain coons. BAN THEM, Retreat.

*Argus*, January 10, 1964. [DN]

83.

To the Editor, The Argus

Sir. — Cape Town can do well without the coons. Whatever gaiety or colour they may provide is entirely cancelled by an aftermath of ugly incidents — not to mention filthy streets, especially in the Coloured areas, when the crowds have gone.

Let those up country Whites, who apparently are so keen on the coons get together for a change; let them paint their faces, don some ridiculous garbs and parade the city streets! COLOURED, Sir Lowry's Pass

*Argus*, January 17, 1964. [DN]

1965

84.

The virtual absence of carnival troupes in the fast-growing townships on the Cape Flats is a prime cause of the incidence of hooliganism in those areas, states Mr. J.W.G. Allen, veteran carnival organiser [...]

“It is not generally realized how the exodus of the townsfolk to the Flats has disrupted their community life and also the carnival troupes' unity” he said.
"Men who once lived close together and belonged to the same singing clubs find that they are spread over half a dozen townships. They arrive home from work much later and few can travel distances to the club captains.

It is to be regretted that the formation of coon bands is being discouraged in certain parts of the Flats, notably in Bellville South. The coons are a greater asset to the community than is generally realized. They should be encouraged rather than banned by the more sophisticated sections [...]

The late Bishop Lavis, who was our board's patron since its inception in 1935, realised the value of the coon movement among the poorer sections of the Cape's people. It was the coons, in turn, who began to help their own people many years ago by contributing to charities".

"Blamed for Hooliganism", *Argus*, December 18, 1965. [DN]

1966

85.

[J.W.G. Allen, director, Western Province Jubilee Coloured Carnival Board, in his carnival opening address at the Cape Showgrounds, Goodwood] said he wished to convey a word of cheer to his people not to lose hope. The carnival spirit was an indication of the fact that the Coloured people were making the best of things no matter what problems faced them.

"I hope tolerance will prevail and that those in authority who have our future in their hands will deal with us with understanding and moderation."

*Argus*, January 1, 1966. [DN]

86.

The Coloured people of Cape Town are divided on the value of the traditional Coon Carnival as an attractive holiday-time feature. While many think that the Ramadan fast was only a temporary blow to the carnival and that it will be revived to full gaiety again next year or the year after, others say that the Coon Carnival has lost its attraction and is on the way out [...]

Mr. H. Gelderbloem, secretary of the Greenhaven Ratepayers' Association and founder of the Greenhaven Young People's Organization, said: "The Coon Carnival is a fading tradition because it has over recent years become a completely commercialized festival.

A few years back one could take the children to almost any main road and wait for carnival troupes to pass on New Year's Day or the traditional Tweede Nuwe Jaar.

These days you hardly ever see the Coons if you are not on their way to their respective performing grounds or on their way from them.
I and many people I know have lost interest in the traditional New Year attraction. We do not see the Coon Carnival as an attraction any more.” [...]

The Rev. John Hess, of the Church of the Resurrection, Bonteheuwel, said he thought the carnival had become too commercialized. He did not hope the carnival would revive because it gave a “backward” impression of the Coloured people to the visiting Whites.

"If the carnival is fading as it appears to be, I don't think anybody, except the organizers, would really be affected."

"Coloured People Differ on Fate of Coon Carnival", *Cape Times*, January 6, 1966.

[DN]

87.

[...] Singing pop American tunes instead of the traditional “Nuwejaar liedjies” hundreds of coons thrilled thousands of spectators and tourists at Hartleyvale on New Years’ Day [...]

One of the two White coons, believed to be the only ones in the Republic told Herald, "It gives us great pleasure to enjoy ourselves like this. It is my fifth year with the coons and of course I make the most of it because it is only once a year that I get this opportunity to enjoy myself this way". The second White coon said: "This is my first year and I can say that it will certainly not be my last" [...]

Hundreds of people lined Hanover Street to wait for the arrival of the coons from Green Point track. They sat on boxes, cars and balconies. The Moslem Ramadan fast did not effect the New Year coon celebration as badly as it was thought.

"Coons in Brilliant Display", *Cape Herald*, January 8, 1966. [WM]

88.

[...] Take the songs they sing:

It is the happy liedjie that rings through the narrow back streets as they quickly wind their way through, but once they reach their destination, it is the sad laments that they really cling to for hours on end.

Songs that cry out to lost love and regret, sorrow and pain.

They are handled gently with respect and tenderness.

**Can it be that the whole Coon Carnival is one big mass display of emotion-packed people finding relief in a gigantic explosion of pent-up desires and frustrations?**

If this is so, the comic Coons still have the last laugh. While the critics of the Coon parades worry and develop new sets of ulcers each year, the Coons themselves remain healthy and sane with this annual spectacular show of the year.

"How to Cheat Fate — Be a Coon, Undercurrent Affairs", by Jackie Heyns, *Post*, January 9, 1966. [WM]
89.

[...] What do the people of Cape Town think of the coons? Are they for the coons or are they against them? Herald this week took it on itself to ascertain what the public thought of the coons and found that in most cases the answer was: It should be accepted as part of Cape Town.

It is not a thing that a person can be for or against, a Coloured leader in Cape Town said. It should be accepted as part of Cape Town. Through the Coon Carnival, the life, feeling tradedy [sic] and success of the people are expressed.

It is also unique to Cape Town, the leader added. Nowhere in the world can any carnival or Mardi Gras be compared with the Cape Town Coon Carnival in its colour, splendour and gaiety and that is one reason why it should be accepted.

The Coon Carnival also sets off the Cape Coloured Community from the Whites. The White community will never be able to put up a carnival as bright as the Cape Coon Carnival. The reason for this, the Coloured leader said, is because the basis of the Coons is giving vent to feelings which for 51 weeks of the year have been repressed. The Whites have not been repressed, so that there can be no wild burst of feeling.

Secondly, the Coloured people, unlike the Whites, have the ability to drop their inhibitions and be what they want to be. The Whites could not do this even if they wanted to. They are too tied up in convention, and are compelled to wear the mask of respectability [...]

An adjudicator of the Coon Carnival, Dr. Joseph Manca, told Herald that he had nothing personally against the Coon Carnival. What he was against was the bad behaviour which a few coons displayed.

Besides being a tourist attraction, Dr. Manca said, he also regarded it as a means of discovering new musical talent. He said that if only the Coons allowed themselves to be channelled in the right direction then a lot of latent talent which is in the coons will be discovered. [...]

When asked whether he thought that the coon troops were a breeding place for crime, Mr. Babs Essop, president for the Cape Town Hawkers Association and three-time contender for the Cape Town City Council, said No [...]

A lot is being done to keep the coon troops as clean as possible. The captains of the troops are very strict and selection is done on a very strict basis Mr. Essop said [...]

It also acted as a crime buffer, Mr. Essop said. The coons take up about 12,000 men of Cape Town and give them something to do. What will happen if there is no Coon Carnival? There will be 12 000 pairs of idle hands ready to rob, steal and assault.
As for only the bad type joining the Coons, Mr. Essop added, what about the famed
Eoan Group tenor Joey Gabriel? He was also in the coons. Dollar Brand, famed jazz
pianist, now in New York, and Yusuf Williams, a tenor now resident in Sweden, were
also in the coons.

Then, there were Dullie Davis who impersonated Al Jolson so well that he adopted
his name and Jerry Lewis (Christopher Green) and singer Fatima Barnes. All these
people were in the coons, Mr. Essop said, and they were people of good standing [...]

A leading figure in the Non-White sporting world of Cape Town said the sooner the
Coon Carnival is done away with, the better it will be for the Coloured Community.
Not only is it disgusting the way our people act during the Coon Carnival, but it is also
very irritating.

As for being a great tourist attraction, this sporting figure said, the tourists
go home with the idea that all Coloured people are like Coons. The Whites also
hold up the Coloured Community to ridicule because of the coons and this is
very degrading [...]

He added that not only is the dancing and parading of the coons degrading to the
Coloured Community, they also cause choas [sic] and traffic jams in the city. The
sooner it is done away with the better he said.

“Like Snoek en Patats’, The Coons Belong To Cape Town”, by Herman Arendse,
*Cape Herald*, December 31, 1966. [WM]

1967

90.

Cape Town's internationally famous annual coon carnival was a big, gigantic flop. In
fact, it was a disgrace to the coons. This is the only new thing that can really be said of
this year's carnival.

Never before in the history of the carnival has there been such a pathetic display of
the so-called “vitality, rythm [sic] and gaiety” of the Coloured people. And if there is
anything to be said that would help future carnivals to regain its much-lauded
“uniqueness” then I believe there is only one alternative. Either the carnival organisers
start an immediate shake-up of their organisation and introduce, primarily, some
originality into the songs, dances and music beside the costume designs, or they might
as well close shop, call it a day, and leave the people to enjoy their memories of what
the coons used to be like “in the old days”.

The fact that this year's carnival co-incided with the annual fast of Ramadaan and
this excluded the participation of many Muslims had very little to do with this year's
flop [...]

The excitement was gone because the music was stale — cheap, third grade version
of the current tunes one hears on Springbok Radio or Lourenço Marques. Where are
For several years I have been running my club at a financial loss largely because I love the New Year carnivals and wanted to continue to keep my club going. Now I realise that this no longer possible”, he said.

Mr. Petersen (60), who has been in the coon movement in the city for 44 years is not severing all ties with the carnivals. He has for several years been secretary and stage manager for the Cape Western Minstrel Carnival under the chairmanship of Mr. Sonny Lloyd. He plans to continue in that capacity.

“City’s Oldest Coon Troupe to Break Up”, *Argus*, December 16, 1967. [DN]

## 92.

[...] The Green Point Track, which is in a White group area, was last used as a venue for a coon carnival in 1967. It ceased to be used after the Department of Community Development refused to grant permits for multi-racial audiences to attend carnivals.

“City Coons Want to March through the Streets Again”, *Argus*, January 5, 1971. [DN]

1968

## 93.

While the centre of Cape Town was, for the first time in many years, almost devoid of coons on New Year's Day and today, and thousands of sight-seers waited in vain for the revellers in their satin tunics and gay music, organisers of the carnival at Hartleyvale and Goodwood both say that they had record attendance.

The absence of coon troupes marching through the main city streets was largely due to the fact that [for] the first time since 1906, no carnival was held at the Green Point Track. Troupes went by bus, train and lorry to Hartleyvale and Goodwood [...]

“Big Crowds at Coon Carnivals”, *Argus*, January 2, 1968. [DN]

## 94.

New Year, 1968, was sad, quiet and dull. It was a time for mourning. It wasn't like other years when the streets were filled with men, women and children of all shapes and sizes, colours, creeds and social conditions. I walked about looking in vain for the throngs of thousands, the families who lugged boxes and tables and chairs, pots of food and cans of wine, cool drinks, biscuits and sweets and new born babies out of their houses, and who camped on the pavements of the city all the way from District Six to Green Point Track, and Hartleyvale and Goodwood.

This year there was no music and laughter and joy in the streets, no portable gramophones balanced precariously on old apple boxes, no sweating people or lovers patrolling the streets.

And you can blame it on business [...] When businessmen moved into the coon scene so that they could make money, it not only robbed some charities of much needed money, but it also took the spontaneity out of the coon carnival. In the beginning it
wasn't so noticeable, but then the coons stopped composing their own "moppies" and took to singing the pop tunes on the hit parade [...]

One coon carnival businessman told the Press that he would not let the coons march and dance and sing and jump and make merry in the streets anymore because he isn't prepared to give the public what he called "a free show". He said it costs money to stage a carnival and that the Cape Town City Council would not subsidise him [...]

And that question now arises, who pays for the coon carnival?

The answer is simple and obvious. The coons themselves pay for the cost of the carnival. And that solicits the question: "Should the Coloured people who take part in the coons be expected to pay to be able to take part in the carnival when it is a profit-making business? And if they do, should not the profit of the carnival be then split up between all the coons in that particular carnival?" [...]

Perhaps the Cape Town City Council should take over all Carnivals and use the profit from the carnival grounds to swell the Community Chest. If nothing is done then we might as well all mourn the passing of the coons.

"...But What's Happened to the Coons?", *Cape Herald*, January 6, 1968. [WM]

95.

To the Editor, The Argus

Sir, — The coloured people often say “Coons are embarrassing and thousands of respectable Coloured people feel ashamed of their race because they parade in the streets in such an uncultured manner.”

As ex-president of the original Cape Coon Carnival Board, and as a European, I wish to defend all those who take part in such wonderful displays.

The coons are part of Cape Town history and they fill a genuine need of the Coloured people. The New Year is a time for enjoyment and an occasion to forget one's troubles and the coons naturally help to keep conservative Cape Town alive. The town belongs to them at the New Year [...]

The coons are cultured people, too. It is a sign of high culture to mimic one's troubles and portray the past with humour and frivolity [...]

ISAAC SHRAND, Oranjezicht

"Coon Town at the New Year", *Argus*, January 10, 1968. [DN]

96.

To the Editor, the Argus

Sir, — I refer to Mr. Isaacs Shrand's letter about the coons (January 10). The sooner we see the end of this "representation of the Coloured people", the better for everyone. How these jumping jelly beans can fill "a genuine need of the Coloured people" as Mr. Shrand puts it, I fail to see [...].

Members of the coons are confined to a certain section of the community only.
Overseas, people who see pictures of the coons firmly believe that this is how South African Coloured people behave to "keep Cape Town alive".

I have the greatest admiration for the organisers of the non-White Scout movements, the C.L.B., Christmas Choirs, the Habibiyah Moslem Bagpipe Brigade and also the Eoan Group.

These are organisations to which the children of cultured Coloured people belong [...]

European people are not all classed in the same group as long-haired pop-singers, flower people, mods and rockers and what-not.

Similarly the rest of the Coloured community should not be accepted as coon-loving people [...]

A.T. DU PLESSIS, Cape Town

"We Can do Without the Coons at Nuwejaar", *Argus*, January 17, 1968. [DN]

97.

To the Editor, the Argus

Sir, — I would like to reply to Mr. Isaac Shrand's comments on the coons (Letters, January 10). The statements that he made typify the erroneous thinking that exists among many Whites.

While I agree that it is a noble thing to be able to laugh in the face of difficulty, I hardly think one could assume that laughter could be misconstrued as acceptance of the short end of the stick.

Nor can it be safely assumed that the people who take part in these antics epitomize the Coloured person.

It is a cruel fact that only the less literate of the Coloured people are party to this type of thing.

Indeed those who are more enlightened would rather be seen dead that be a party to this affected frivolity that brings gold to the coffers of the City of Cape Town by virtue of its value for the tourist trade.

And isn't it a fact that this self-same city is guilty of a lack of charity toward these unfortunate children, for on the same page that Mr. Shrand's letter appeared, there was an attack on the presence of the Coloured person in the parks of Sea Point?

Let us face the facts. The Coloured man has much to complain about and his silence or his uninhibited prancing on New Year's Day cannot be regarded as his willingness to tolerate injustice.

If this is to be the yardstick whereby his feelings are going to be measured, then Mr. Shrand is doing the Whites and the Coloured people a grave injustice by nurturing and propagating a cruel misconception [...].
ALEXANDER CARL TABISHER (Secretary, Bonteheuwel Welfare Organisation, Bonteheuwel)

“Cruel Facts”, *Argus*, January 17, 1968. [DN]

98.

[...] The fighting started on Saturday when the coon troupes were returning. On the corner of Hanover street and Tennant street a petrol bomb was thrown at members of the Young Students of Broadway troupe [...]

Several coons in the Young Student Minstrels, including their captain, Tashard “Arazaad” Arendse belong to the D.K. gang.

After the petrol bomb attack, the D.K.’s and the Stalag 17 gangs clashed [...]

“Bloody Clashes after Carnival, Bomb War as District 6 Explodes”, *Post*, January 14, 1968. [WM]
V.
Group areas and forced removals hit the
klopse, 1968–1989

1968

1.

Group areas zonings, resulting in thousands of Coloured families moving to new homes on the Flats, have dealt a death blow to the once-spectacular New year coon troupes parades through the city.

Mr. "Sonny" Lloyd, chairman and organizer of the Cape Western Minstrel Carnival at Hartleyvale [...] says:

"[...] We carnival organizers are not to be blamed for this. Because the performers now live mainly in such places as Grassy Park, Bonteheuwel, Windermere and Lavistown, they march to Hartleyvale direct and do not come anywhere the centre of the city.

Even the three troupes from District Six will head north to Hartleyvale on New Year's Day. We shall not see them in their rainbow coloured tunics along the old Hanover Street, Caledon Street and Wale Street route."

Another factor which has ended these carnival parades in the city streets is the dropping of Green Point Track as a coon carnival centre [...]

Mr. Lloyd said [...] "A solution would be to subsidize the carnivals so that the troupes could spend some time dancing and singing in the city streets. It will cost the organizers money to transport hundreds of performers from the Flats to central Cape Town" [...]

"Group Areas Hit Coon Parades", *Argus*, November 12, 1968. [DN]

2.

[...] For several years now the fast has coincided with New Year — this meant that most Muslims were unable to take part.

This year the fast will be over by Christmas.

The antics of the coons have been the subject of many arguments.

On the one side of the fence is the anti-coon group. This section of the community feels that, not only are the coon performances uncultured, but also that their very existence — in principle — is degrading to the Coloured people.

This is because most coons come from the lower income group.

Therefore they have fewer inhibitions and consider the whole show a great fun [...]
One of the carnival organizers, well known Mr. Achmat Levy, of Hanover Street, had some pretty emphatic opinions about the good which lies in the existence of the coons.

"People say we teach our men to drink wine and smoke dagga", he said, "but those are all lies. We have the coons for only three days of the year — what of the other 365 days? If a man wants to smoke dagga he will do so regardless of the rest..." [...]

Mr. Levy felt that the coons were basically "good" people.

"Some of them may come from what is commonly known as the "rougher" element, but the moment they step into the coon uniform, they are like little children with the greatest loyalty towards their troupe and their captain and, because they realize that awards and prizes are important, they are at their best behaviour."

Mr. Levy added that the good behaviour was a direct result of the coon members' philosophy — nobody wants to spend Christmas and New Year in jail. After all, those are the "big days" [...]

Each troupe member pays about R. 6.50 for his uniform [...]

So, dignified or not, cultured or not, the coons will be parading this year as in the years gone by... but a problem facing the organizers this year is the unwillingness of the authorities to allow the coons to parade through White areas [...]

"The Coons Are Coming, For the First Time in Years the Muslim Fast of Ramadan Won't Clash with the Coons, It Should Be a Bumper Show this Year", by Neville Fransman, *Cape Herald*, November 23, 1968. [WM]

3.

There will, after all, be at least one Coon Carnival in Cape Town at New Year.

The permit to stage a carnival at Hartleyvale arrived today from the Department of Community Development [in Pretoria] [...]

"It is going to be something of a scramble to get all the arrangements completed" a spokesman for the [Cape Western Minstrel] board said today. "Because we had been waiting for the permit we could not do anything until now. We have five weeks to get 2,000 minstrel suits and costumes made" [...]

The Chairman of the Cape Western Minstrel Board, Mr. "Sonny" Lloyd had said earlier that if the permit was delayed much longer there would be no time to make arrangements for the carnival [...]

This year the Goodwood carnival has fallen away.

Mr. J.W.G. Allen, director and secretary of the Western Province Jubilee Coloured Carnival Board, said that, because of rising costs, the spreading of the coons over a number of Coloured townships away from District Six and the death of the board's chairman, Mr. Adam Erentzen, it has been decided not to hold a carnival [...]

"City Will See Coons After All", *Argus*, November 27, 1968. [DN]
4.

A local weekly newspaper, "Cape Herald", published a feature article on the coons [see 2]. The article stated that with the end of Ramadaan in December there would be an increase in the number of the coons at the end of the year. The article infers that the Fast was responsible for last year's small number of coon troupes.

We agree with the report but the small number of coons is not only directly linked
with the Fast but the realisation on the part of Muslims that it is altogether contrary to
their belief to be a member of a coon troupe.

No Muslim who holds his belief dear will associate himself with anything that robs him of his dignity as a man. A true Muslim can never be a coon.

We appeal to all Muslims and non-Muslims to desist from taking part in this annual
act of debasement.

"Muslims Are Not Coons", *Muslim News*, November 29, 1968. [WM]

5.

January 2, the Cape's distinctive Second New Year's Day, will see at least one Coon Carnival, to be held at Hartleyvale by the Cape Western Minstrel Board. This will be by virtue of a permit issued by the Department of Community Development. How sadly different this is from the gaiety of a few years ago, when the troupes of coons, in bright uniforms and led by their banners and their bands, paraded along the streets which led to the city's centre, down Adderley Street and then to Green Point, Newlands and other traditional places for their competitions.

Their permits became necessary, as people were dispersed and the former sense of
community was eliminated. What had been one great carnival dispersing from central
Cape Town was transformed into local carnivals, this year seeing carnivals only at
Hartleyvale and Goodwood, and next year to see one only, at Hartleyvale.

The coon carnival in its former shape did many things. It gave pleasure to those
taking part in it, with dressing up, parading and competition among troupes. It drew
tourists and gave them pleasure. It recalled the history of the Cape Coloured people in
the late nineteenth century. It brought home to many, to the coons thronging the
streets, to the rest of Cape Town as it turned out to watch and cheer, that this section
of the Coloured people was a part of the greater community and, in the true spirit of
carnival, for one day, the centre of the city was theirs.

Now, it is said, it would cost too much to bring the troupes into town for the
traditional parade; perhaps it would, if the cost were to come from the subscriptions
paid by the members of the troupes. And if there is only a carnival run at one centre
by a single board, the effect in the central streets that used to be created by numbers as
much as bright colours will be lacking. Cape Town is going to be poorer for the passing
of the Coon Carnival.
"Let's Keep the Coon Carnival" [editorial], *Argus*, November 30, 1968. [DN]

6.

[...] Moslem religious leaders in Cape Town say it is debasing for a Moslem to be a Coon [see 4].

Hadjee Levy strongly disagreed with this.

He said: "The reasons these leaders give is that Coons get drunk on liquor and dagga and then cause havoc. This is true for a very small percentage of the Coons.

There are fights week after week at soccer matches, rugby fields, hops and dances.
Do these leaders say that these sports are also debasing.

The Coon Carnival is not only a tourist attraction but a sport to those who partake in it. The whole year the members of the troupes look forward to the three days of the Carnival. Why should it be labelled "debasing"?"

Hadjee Levy said the carnivals do more good than harm.

"They curb crime over the festive season and add colour to our mother city [...]"

"Last minute Rush for Carnivals", *Post*, December 29, 1968. [WM]

1969

7.

The Coon Carnival have been a New Year attraction in Cape Town for longer than anyone can remember. But interest is dwindling and the Coons themselves are under criticism from their own people. Jackie Heyns asks whether they're doomed [...]

During the past 10 years membership and public interest has shown a steady rate of decline, indicating that this one-time centre-city attraction will soon fade away into the side-streets of District Six, and die [...]

Changing times are against the Coons. Modern Cape Town, especially the Coloured group, is no longer amused by their antics in the street. What used to be fun to watch is now described as vulgar and cheap exhibitionism. The majority of the Coons are Moslem and the most outspoken criticisms come from the religious leaders of that group.

There was a time when non-White derision could be ignored. The Coon Carnival did not need the support of the Coloureds who lined the streets to enjoy the free show. It was the grand finale at the organised competition grounds watched by high-paying Whites that mattered.

But White support is no longer guaranteed. With one stroke of the pen, racial separation machinery could seal their doom. This, plus Non-White disfavour and condemnation is the road sign facing the marching Coons of today [...]

Ten years ago Coon Carnival parades in Cape Town reached their peak in popularity and size. They were organised by four boards of control, each operating separately in
widely distributed points (Green Point Track, Goodwood Showgrounds, Hartleyvale and Athlone). Each board represented from 10 to 20 "troupes" that consisted of anything from 25 to 200 members, filling the streets of Cape Town on New Year's Day with 5,000 satin-suited, strutting Coons.

In 1962 the number of boards had dwindled to three. By 1968 only one board was on show [...]

Ninety per cent of the Coons come from the lowest income group. For 50 weeks of each year they merely exist. On their meagre earnings they cannot afford frequent pleasures, and with little or no education the sum total of their life is humdrum.

Then comes Coontime and those who have walked in the shadows for 50 weeks come out into the sun, into the centre of the street, into the centre of the town, into the centre of excitement and music to become the centre of attraction for two whole weeks. For those two glorious weeks they live [...]

Now must this be taken away? Must the Coons be denied this fleeting privilege? It would be a heartless Cape Town that said yes...

"Do the Coons Have to Die?", by Jackie Heyns, *Drum* (Cape Edition), January 1969. [WM]

## 8.

Cape Town has lost something — perhaps even part of her soul [...]

For a variety of reasons — traffic problems, population movements and a tendency towards over-organisation — such Coon Carnival as there is has moved away from the metropolitan area. And for a family of five, grandstand seats at the sportgrounds where the Coon contests are now held — the next best thing to the view from the pavement of Adderley Street — the cost may be as much as R. 6.

Is our loss irretrievable? Is it not possible to return the carnival atmosphere to Cape Town on New Year's Day and Tweede Nuwejaar when commerce has no need of the metropolis?

There should be no objection from the City Council which allows the University of Cape Town Rag to disrupt the city on a business day every year [...]

The Coons belong to Cape Town and Cape Town should belong to the Coons on the first two days of the year. And it should be possible to overcome all the difficulties which are said to preclude the tradition from continuing.

"Loss of a Carnival", *Argus*, January 4, 1969. [DN] [editorial]
9.

New Orleans has Mardi Gras, Hong Kong has the Dragon Festival, Munich has Faschung and Glasgow has Hogmanay. Cape Town has the Coon Carnival [...]

Here what should be one of the world's most colourful spectacles has been forced to degenerate into a glimmering of its former brilliance, confined to the functional precincts of a football stadium when once the whole city was at its disposal [...]

With the sixties came the beginning of the decline which few seek to arrest, precipitated by the stream of Group Areas removals to the Cape Flats.

Many of the old troupes based in District Six and Schotsche Kloof, had to break up as half their members lived 20 miles away and could not join the others for practice.

Then again in the early sixties came a severe blow when the Moslem fast Ramadan coincided with the Carnival. Thirty per cent of the coons were devout Moslems who could not take part and several carnival organisers fell by the wayside as they were unable to recruit troupes to take part in their competitions.

At the same time, Moslem leaders discouraged their followers from having anything to do with the Coon Carnival as it was "undignified". The number of coons has been dropping each year as a result.

The next blow was the demise of the carnival at the Green Point Track, the one to which the street parade from District Six, which made the carnival internationally famous, was directed.

Now, Cape Town's Traffic Department has forbidden the coons to parade in the central city area, though in all fairness they can obtain permits to parade elsewhere.

But Mr. Sonny Lloyd, organiser of the Hartleyvale Stadium carnival which is the only one left in the city area has since discouraged his coons from parading through the streets as he is "sick and tired of giving Cape Town a free show."

The troupes now travel to Hartleyvale, deep in Observatory, by train — travelling free through a thoughtful gesture of the South African Railways [...]

It is not until after the final day of the carnival that they can begin to parade in the streets in terms of the Traffic Department's permit, showing their share of the 180 cups provided for the various competitions by Mr. Lloyd [...] a European who has been organising Coon Carnivals for 19 years [...]

Mr. Lloyd is optimistic about the carnival's future. He feels the pruning of the event has been beneficial as standards are higher every year.

But many of the individual coons seem to think otherwise. One, whose troupe broke up two years ago as people moved from District Six to the Cape Flats complained bitterly that the coons were being stifled out of existence.

"What's the fun in practising for months just to parade in a stadium?" he asked. "What the coons want is to be allowed to parade in the streets as they always have. That's the whole point of being a coon.
But I don't think they'll ever let us do that again. And I suppose the Coons will just
die."

"The Coon Carnival — Is It Fading Away?", by Tony Hoskins, *Argus*, December 27, 1969. [DN]

10.

[...] In spite of his rigid discipline, Sonny Lloyd [66] makes no secret of his affection for the Coloured and Malay people. A musician himself — he is a tailor by profession — he has always been impressed by the natural musicality of the Coloured people. He has also been associated for years with the Eoan Group.

"But the real reason why I, as a White man, have devoted all these years to non-White Coons, variety and other musical promotions is that I sympathise with the underdog. They lack opportunities for expressing their inherent musicality; I try to give it to them, and some of my proteges have made big names for themselves abroad."

Sonny Lloyd's army career ended abruptly when he was involved in a troop carrier crash with a train. When he recovered two and half years later he began his career as an impresario.

Some of the non-White variety shows he managed, usually with the co-operation of a partner, became household names — there were the Hi Notes and Zonk, to name just two that are still remembered well.

But it is as an organiser and friend of the Coons that he is known widely today [...]

"Coons — Sonny has the answer", *Argus*, December 31, 1969. [DN]

1970

11.

From Dr. I.D. Du Plessis (22, Montreux, Queen Victoria Street, Cape Town).

Every New Year brings letters and articles on the Coons, mostly in praise of the annual carnival.

Emphasis this year has been on the loss to the City of the annual parades though the streets, a major holiday attraction for visitors. Coons' supporters and old Capetonians, for whom the New Year and *Tweede Nuwe Jaar* can never be the same without the troupes streaming down Wale Street on their way to District Six [...]

I do know that the middle and professional classes have strongly resented the carnivals in the past, as giving a misleading impression of the cultural development of the Coloured people.

But there are signs that this attitude is changing. A cultural level has been reached which enables them to see these carnivals as a celebration of the masses at the level of simple folk ditties and popular entertainment. Provided the Coons behave themselves
(and most of them do) they are tolerated rather than resented. The time may come when they will be accepted as making, at their own level, a unique contribution to the world's carnivals [...]

Cape Town has the material for a really worthwhile carnival procession on these lines. Are we going to be content with a spate of letters and articles every New Year, bewailing the loss to the City that could, with a little imagination, drive and co-operation, be a major holiday amenity as well as a healthy outlet for many of our less-privileged citizens?

"City Could Have Fine Coon Procession", *Cape Times*, January 8, 1970. [DN]

12.

Those members of the Coloured community who wanted to be Coons and those who watched them performing had every right to do so, Mr. T.R. ("Tom") Swartz, chairman of the Executive of the Coloured Persons' Representative Council said yesterday [...]

Mr. Swartz said:

"My candid opinion about the Coons is: Why interfere with them? They are providing a form of entertainment which evidently gives them a great deal of pleasure. If the public wishes to share that pleasure and pay for it, what's wrong with that? Why try to prevent a group of people from the free right of providing a form of entertainment of their own liking and others of their free right to enjoy that entertainment [...]

I would like to see the Coons being allowed to parade through the main streets of Cape Town under the strict control of traffic officers in the same manner as those in the university rag are permitted to do" [...]

The *Muslim News* said in an editorial that the annual Coon carnivals were "degrading" and Moslems should not take part in them [...]

"If you felt that you could not take your place in the ranks of the coon troupes last year because of Ramadan and the respect you have for Islam, then we fervently urge you to retain that respect even though Ramadan has passed," the editorial says.

The carnivals were degrading spectacles "in which man goes out to prove that he is prepared to make a monkey of himself.

No man who is a Muslim and who cherishes his faith will allow himself to be turned into a spectacle for the amusement of others. This appeal is also made to our Christian brethren. Condemn coons andcoonery," the *Muslim News* says.

"Swartz Defends Coon Carnivals", *Cape Times*, January 8, 1970. [DN]
13.

From A. Sadulla (77, Upper Leeuwen Street, Cape Town):

It is reported (*Cape Times*, January 8) that exception has been taken in some quarters
to the participation of Moslems in the annual carnivals and street parades that are as
characteristic of the Mother City as the gusty south-easter.

I would point out to people who malign the coons and Malay choirs that the conclusions they draw are based on ignorance and prejudice, rather than on thorough study of the issue [...]

As a Moslem, I consider the holier-than-thou attitude prevailing against the coons
and choirs as unwarranted and extremely unfortunate.

“Don’t Condemn the Coons”, *Cape Times*, January 13, 1970. [DN]

14.

From Mr. Gerald L. Stone (P.O. Box 85, Sea Point): [...]

Critics claim that the coons present a degrading image of Coloured people, and
mislead unthinking Whites into assuming that the Coloured people, as a carnival
organizer recently claimed are “happy under White rule”.

Carnival supporters, usually Whites or unselfconscious Coloured people are
unfortunately insensitive to the meaning of the minstrel image [...]

Blackface minstrelsy arose among Southern States negroes during slavery early in
the last century [...] Then or now such ritual buffoonery functions as the Black man’s
denial of a deeper hostility and despair, in order to reaffirm his precarious social
position.

It is not surprising that the minstrel image is now abhorred by United States negroes.
Equally predictable is the continuing insensitivity of many poorer Coloured people
who are in fact denied opportunities to learn any self-image other than that of
underdog. But many White people might profitably wonder why they take the coon
image for granted and pay it so little attention.

We do both participants and spectators an injustice by encouraging people to
represent themselves as brown buffoons. If we wish to support New Year revelry, it
would surely be more desirable to encourage communal and not just sectional
participations, and then in a form affirming the humanity of all.

“Minstrel Image’ of Underdog”, *Cape Times*, January 14, 1970. [DN]
15.

An attempt to revive the coon carnival at Green Point Track — traditional home of the carnival since 1906 — has been unsuccessful.

The Amenities Committee of the Cape Town City Council has turned down an application by the Cape Original Minstrel and Choir Board — a new organization — for the hire of the track on January 1, 2 and 9, 1971 [...]

"No to Coon Carnival at Green Point", *Cape Times*, March 7, 1970. [DN]

1971

16.

An application to the Department of Community Development for a permit for Whites to attend the coon carnival at Athlone stadium to-day has been refused [...]

The carnival, due to start to-day, will be opened by Pearl Jansen, and will include a variety show in which Dollar Brand, the jazz pianist, and other top recording artists, will take part. Ten coon troupes will take part in the carnival.

"Permit for Whites Is Refused", *Cape Times*, January 1, 1971. [DN]

17.

Cape Town's Coon Carnival, sad to say, shows distressing signs of dying on its feet — as a real carnival that is. [...]

The trouble, of course, is that the carnival has been systematically dismembered — cut off in the main from spontaneous public participation by restrictions imposed by various authorities. In short, the Coons are gagged by red-tape [...]

For a start, the Coons' procession should be allowed back into the heart of the Mother City to share the same opportunity as the university Rag or the more solemn ceremonial marking the opening of Parliament. In each case it is simply a matter of effective control within the bounds of public responsibility.

"Spirit of the Coons" [editorial], *Argus*, January 4, 1971. [DN]

18.

Cape Town coon carnival organisers are hoping that the Traffic Department will lift a ban imposed 15 years ago on organised processions marching through the centre of the city.

They blame the absence of the coons from the city's main streets on a decision taken in 1956 by the Traffic Control Department of Cape Town City Council.

Individual coon troupes were granted permits to march through the centre of the city on their way from District Six up through Wale Street to Rose and Chiappini Streets in the Malay Quarter to the Green Point Track.
The Green Point Track which was in a White group area, was last used as a venue for a coon carnival in 1967. It ceased to be used after the Department of Community Development refused to grand permit for multi-racial audiences to attend the carnivals [...]

Mr. Sonny Lloyd, organiser of the Hartleyvale coon carnival [....] pointed out that a permit issued to him by the traffic Department confined his troupe to restricted routes on the outskirts of the city where there would be little interference with traffic.

Mr. Lloyd criticised a regulation laid down by the traffic department which allowed coons to walk without music along the traditional route from District Six to the top of Wale Street.

He was referring to a rule prohibiting coons from playing their banjos and guitars between Buitenkant Street and Adderley Street [...]

Hadji A. Levy, organiser of the [Cape Peninsula Coon] carnival, said coon troupes in his carnival lived on the Cape Flats with the exception of one troupe, "The Playboys" which came from District Six.

He said the displacement of District Six residents under the group areas proclamation sounded the death-knell to coons parading through the centre of the city [...]

Footnote: A Cape Town's Traffic Department spokesman said individual troupes were granted permits to march through central Cape Town, playing instruments, but organised processions were barred. Another source noted that the main argument against allowing organised processions was the City Council's lack of toilet facilities for crowds.

"City 'Coons' Want to March through the Streets Again", *Argus*, January 5, 1971.
[DN]

19.

The Cape Town City Council had never stopped the coons marching through the city on their way to and from the New Year carnivals, the Town Clerk (Mr. H.G. Heugh) told the Argus. [...]

"I want to make it quite clear that the council has never had any objection either to the coons marching through Cape Town or to their using their traditional carnival venue — the Green Point Track."

He said that in 1956 the council received an application from carnival organisers for permission to stage a procession of between 8 000 and 10 000 coons up and down Adderley Street.

After careful consideration the Traffic Manager turned it down as it would have disrupted the city's transport system completely [...]
In all the years that the coons had paraded on their way to the carnivals at Green Point they had never marched through Adderley Street.

They followed a traditional route from the old market site in Sir Lowry Road, along Tennant, Caledon, Spin and Wale streets, into Rose street then down to the Green Point Track.

Each individual troupe had to obtain permission to march, but they always followed one another so the march was in effect a procession of all the coons taking part in the carnival Mr. Heugh said.

The council had never refused permission for the coons to march along this route.

He said if carnival organisers applied to march along another route or for a permit to organise a mass procession, permission would probably be granted — provided it did not interfere with the bus service or seriously disrupt traffic.

He said that the council had often been blamed for banning coon carnivals on the Green Point Track but the decision in fact had nothing to do with the council.

When Green Point was declared a White Group Area the council had to apply to the Department of Community Development for a permit to allow Coloured People to use the Green Point Track.

Mr. Heugh showed me the permit which stated that Coloured people could use the track for sporting activities but stipulated that no coon carnivals were to take place there.

He said he believed the ban was the result of repeated complaints from Somerset Hospital authorities about rowdiness and unruly behaviour at coon carnivals.

The march of the coons along their traditional route on New Year's Day and on January 2 each year was a major festive season attraction in Cape Town until 1967 when carnival promoter, Mr. Sonny Lloyd, called off the march because he "was sick and tired of giving Cape Town a free show".

Since then individual troupes have obtained permits from the council and small groups have marched from Woodstock to the Malay Quarter. This year the council issued permits to all eight troupes which applied.

"Coon March Not Stopped by Council - Town Clerk", *Argus*, January 16, 1971. [DN]

20.

The Department of Community Development has granted permits for White and non-White spectators to attend the carnivals at Hartleyvale and Goodwood. The Athlone carnival will be confined to non White patrons. A permit has however been granted to the organizers at Athlone to have White adjudicators.

*Cape Times*, December 30, 1971. [DN]
It's my life [...] Without the coons I would have been dead years ago. This keeps me alive.

I remember the old days when there were no restrictions. Those were the real coon days when we paraded through the streets of Cape Town and everybody turned out to see us. Now the coons have been turned into a commercial business but I love it all the same.

The thrill of dressing up in our mad outfits and performing for people is right up my alley. We wait a whole year just for that moment. I can never describe what it feels like.

“Edries Dinnie alias Boeta Pielie, In the Coons for the Last 50 Years”, *Cape Herald*, January 8, 1972. [WM]

Tommy Jewels, the King of the Coons, is dead.

The dark-skinned clown with the toughest jaw in South African show business died in a hit-and-run car accident last Friday night.

Jewels — his real name was Mogamat Toya Allenberg — was running for a bus in Jan Smuts Drive, Athlone, when he was knocked down and killed.

He lived in Roger Street, District Six, for many years, and got the title as Cape Town's King of the Coons for his funny antics [...]

He became known as the “Prince of Heideveld” and was one of the most popular people in the area.

Jewels also became known as the “man with the toughest jaw” because he could balance almost anything on the edge of his chin.

He died almost penniless. Two days before the accident, he was working as a part-time gardener for a White family in Epping.

“King of the Coons Dies — Penniless”, *Cape Herald*, May 20, 1972. [WM]

You won't see Mr. Sonny Lloyd's Coons parading through Cape Town this year. "Why should I give Cape Town a free show?" he says. It is a familiar war cry.

This New Year holiday period has given more cause to the 69-year-old impresario of non-White acts to repeat his war cry. There has been more pressure on him to parade his Coons, such as:

an invitation from the City Council to do so;
an offer by a opposition Coon organiser to send his own performers on a street march;

. and growing public nostalgia for the days when the laughing, singing, musical Coons brought international television crews and tourists galore coursing into the Mother City.

The crux of Mr. Lloyd reluctance to release his 2 500 proteges from the confines of the Hartleyvale football stadium where they compete musically is that no-one is prepared to subsidise his annual R. 6 000 investment in the carnival [...]

[Sonny Lloyd declared in an interview:] "If the Group Areas did not kill the Coons, nothing will. When the Coloured communities in the city were split up they found it difficult and expensive to reach rehearsal points. The fact that the troupes are still going strong is convincing enough to me that the Coon Carnival will never die."

"Should the Coons Give Cape Town a Free Show?", *Argus Magazine*, December 30, 1972. [GM]

## 1973

### 24.

For the first time after a lapse of several years, the New Year Coons will march through the centre of Cape Town on Saturday and restore some of the traditional carnival atmosphere to the City.

Mr. J.W.G. Allen, director and secretary of the Western Province Jubilee Carnival Board which has its venue at the Cape Showgrounds, Goodwood, announced yesterday that the Coon march would start from the Grand Parade to-morrow at 2.45 p.m. [...]

"Coons Will March Again through City Centre", *Cape Times*, January 5, 1973. [DN]

### 25.

The 1973 Coon Carnival parade was "a tremendous success", the Mayor of Cape Town, Mr. R.F. Friedlander, said today. He hoped it would be repeated again next New Year [...]

"Mayor Wants Coon Parade Every Year", *Argus*, January 6, 1973. [DN]

### 26.

As I stood in Adderley Street amid the dense crowd watching the "organized" coon parade shattering the usual quiet of the city at that time on Saturday with the gay music of twanging guitars and strumming banjos, I could not help contrasting the scene with that of the District Six on New Year's Day. The once favourite stamping ground of the
coon bands in Hanover Street and Caledon Street not only looked as inactive as siesta time in Mexico, but were as silent as a turkey farm on Boxing Day.

For close on a century band and coon processions were the gift of District Six to the Mother City's gaiety at holiday time [...]

Within the space of a few years, however, a whole pattern of living, of working and of "making sports" underwent a social metamorphosis. This was not the result of the gradual inevitability of change. It was caused by the swift blotting out by slide-rule techniques by outside powers-that-be of much that had given the city character and individuality.

In the days between the wars, however, the New Year was used as an excuse by many in District Six for going on the razzle-dazzle. Coonery was riotously gay, zestful, jolly, zippy and flamboyant. Old and young arrayed in garish finery joined in the Saturnalia-like holiday funmaking. Benches, chairs, even paraffin stoves and coffee pots were lugged down to the main highways in District Six. The baskets of food contained two traditional New Year items to relish — curried pickle fish and Klappertert (coconut tart) [...]

It was then the custom for the coons to give their unrestrained best in free street shows. The street was their preserve and onlookers did not leave the pavements to mob them as did the crowds along the route of the organized march in the centre of the city on Saturday [...]

Then the coon carnivals at Green Point Track were banned and the marches across town to reach this traditional carnival venue came to an end [...] Then District Six was sentenced to death (for the good of the people, it was said).

It was declared a group area for White occupation. The population was given marching orders. They were and are still being swept from the area like so much horse manure.

With the big shift out to the Cape Flats the coon marches across the central streets of the city stopped. A tradition had come to an end. A way of life was destroyed in the so called slum clearance move. In the process of modernization, in District Six, which is not for those who once lived there, nothing is holy or safe. Not only buildings but humans have been demolished. The insidious process of disintegration continues.

The tragedy of it all is that those who have been forcibly moved out of the outlying areas where soulless repetitious dwellings are arising from the ground with the alacrity of toadstools, have undergone a change [...]

The Blacks of the city, who used to be part of the living entity of Cape Town, have been forced to break their links with the old places. Legalized processes have de-urbanized them in their thousands as if they were a blight. In fact, they have been referred to as such by a top Government spokesman in a justification speech for their elimination from the city centre.
The Coloured people are no longer an integral part of Cape Town. They have no legal living status in its all-white group area confines. They have no longer a stake in it. They have been re-settled in the ghetto areas of the Cape Flats. It is from there that the coon element now springs from mainly. The coon image that was created on the invitation march gave to me at least the impression that they are happy in their new amenity lacking environment; that they have come back to town at the New Year in their carnival best to give a march which is a gesture of gratitude for all that has been done for them, rather than a protest procession of what has been done to the dignity and freedom of Coloured people of all social levels.

The “slaves” are happy and so the master class can feel pleased. The whole spectacle of the march on Saturday had an uninspired hollow and anachronistic flavour. I could not help feeling bloody-minded about it all.

“Has the Coon Carnival Had its Day?”, *Cape Times*, January 13, 1973. [DN]

27.

Following the decision by the Chief Magistrate of Cape Town, Mr. J.W. van Greunen, to refuse permission to Coon Carnival troupes to march through the City streets, a snap survey yesterday showed that White opinion favoured the march, but Black opinion generally was opposed to the Coons.

Mr. Van Greunen took his decision on the advice of the police who felt that unpleasant incidents could arise.

A senior police spokesman said the police were not opposed to the Coon Carnival as such but that it was preferable to stage the various carnivals at stadiums where crowd control could be maintained more efficiently [...]

Mr. Tony Walters, a city councillor, commented: “I am bitterly disappointed at the lack of imagination of the police. I cannot accept that they do not have sufficient men, and I don’t think they need so many. The crowds are not so undisciplined.”

Mr. Hassan Khan, president of the Al-Jihaad Isamic Cultural Movement, said: “As a Moslem, I am not in favour of the Coons.

It is time non-Whites stopped making Coons of themselves. We cannot have a stake in running the City’s affairs if we continue parading as Coons.”

The Rev. I.D. Morkel, of Athlone, Moderator of the Calvinist Church, said: “I have always found the Coons humiliating to the Coloured people and I fully agree with the police that liquor flows too freely during the carnivals” [...]

The philosopher and poet Mr. Adam Small said: “The streets of the City should be open to anyone. On the other hand, the Coons are not representative of the people.

The carnivals, in any case, have become a mere commercial venture.”

“Mixed Reaction to ban on Coon Carnival”, *Cape Times*, December 7, 1973. [DN]
28.

Cape Town's traditional coon carnival parade through the centre of the city will take place after all. The go-ahead for a coon parade on January 2 has been given by the chief magistrate (Mr. J.W. Van Greunen) who has reversed an earlier ruling prohibiting the march [...]

[Mr. Van Greunen] reviewed his decision after representations were made to him by the Mayor, Mr. David Blomberg and the Town Clerk (Mr. H.G. Heugh) [...]

"Coons to March in City After All", *Cape Times*, December 8, 1973. [DN]

29.

"Islam enjoins people to do the right thing. It does not force them. All we can do is to warn them not to take part in the undignified and degrading carnival which has no meaning in life" said Dr. Kotwal [Chairman of the Cape Muslim Assembly] [...]

"As a Muslim it is my duty to oppose the carnival to the best of my ability." Dr. Kotwal said the Carnival was degrading because it encouraged people to pretend to be what they were not, because they painted their faces and pranced around in what he described as an undignified manner. The very word "coon" was so often used with contemptuous overtones [...]

*Argus*, December 29, 1973. [DN]

1974

30.

The 1974 Coons had to struggle through the streets of Cape Town yesterday as thousands of spectators all but blocked the route of the parade.

There was little evidence of crowd control as time and again the eager throngs brought the procession to a halt [...]

The best laugh of the day came before the parade started when a Coon with a mischievous sense of humour insisted on walking alongside a tall police officer and holding his sunshade over the officer's head.

The policeman was annoyed then embarrassed, but when it became obvious that the crowd enjoyed the joke, he gave way and the two marched up Wale Street together both sporting huge smiles [...]

In the end it was left to the Coons themselves to keep back the crowds. This they did with good humour and many dabbed streaks of boot polish on to faces pressed in a little too close. The crowd loved it.

But the general feeling was that it could have all been so much better if only the Coons had been given a little more space.
Mr. J.P. O'Connor, the City Traffic Manager said the carnival presented difficult problems.

"What do you do when people start inching forward? You ask them to move back, and when they don't, what do you do? Arrest them? We don't want to do that. We don't want to cause incidents" [...]

"Thousands Mob City's Coon Parade", *Cape Times*, January 3, 1974. [DN]

31.

Criticism came from many people that the traffic police had not adequately controlled the crowds. Mrs. Norma Baumberger of Orangezicht said she was "seething".

"Our mayor has fought so hard for the parade. I spoke to an officer and asked him why they wouldn't help hold the crowds back so that everyone could see, and he simply said that they didn't want the Coons in town anyway."

"Coons Are Late — But Well Worth the Wait", *Argus*, January 3, 1974. [DN]

32.

[...] Thirty years ago there may not have been much for the Cape Coloured people to be joyous about, but they did belong to Cape Town. Their city came alive at New Year and the troupes would vie with each other on familiar roads in District Six and upper Cape Town. SHEILA, Claremont.

"Letters to the Editor", *Argus*, January 28, 1974. [DN]

33.

[...] The Athlone Management Committee — which is dominated by the Labour Party — wants the coon carnivals banned. After talks between the committee and the Cape Town City Council, last week it was decided to hold a referendum to test public opinion on the coons.

The Athlone Management Committee claim that:

* The crime and violence rate is high when the coons parade.

* Many illegitimate children are born nine months after the carnival.

* The coons are of no value or credit to the Coloured community and their actions serve to degrade the Coloured people.

* The only people who gain from the carnival are the organizers.

* South African propaganda magazines distributed overseas cite the coons as an "example of Coloured culture."

But Mr. Cassiem Banoo, chairman of the Athlone Coon Carnival Board says the Athlone Management Committee are talking "rubbish" [...]
"Criticism of the coons comes too quickly and too frequently from people who suffer with a White-skin complex.

These people are against everything connected with the poorer class of people, and all apparently because these people are not in a position to afford the comforts and pleasures of White people [...]

The Management Committee should concern themselves rather with the problems of the poorer people in the townships — the lack of facilities, the state of housing — these are the things they should worry about."

[The Labour Party of South Africa was founded in 1969, supposedly to cater for coloured interests. It adopted a policy of collaboration with the apartheid authorities and opposed the struggle against apartheid fought by anti-apartheid movements such as the African National Congress (ANC) or the Panafricanist Congress (PAC). It participated in the Coloured Persons Representative Council and, after the adoption of the 1983 constitution, in the House of Representatives of the Tricameral Parliament.]

"[...] For Coon Carnival 'Smears'", by Howard Lawrence, *Sunday Times Extra*, May 19, 1974. [WM]

1976

34.

Prize winning coon troupes from the Hartleyvale carnival might perform for South African soldiers on the border and in various camps in the Republic.

Mr. Sonny Lloyd, who is retiring after organizing Cape coon carnivals for 33 years, announced yesterday that he was negotiating with the military authorities in Pretoria.

"Our board has in the meantime received an acknowledgement by telephone", he said. "We are awaiting a final decision. If our coons and other individual entertainers are accepted for performance up north they will, I am sure, prove valuable morale boosters."

"Coons Might Perform on Border", by George Manuel *Cape Times*, January 3, 1976. [DN]

35.

The chairman of the Witebome Management Committee says coons should be left out of any float parade during next year's Cape Town festival.

One item being considered for the festival is a float parade celebrating the city's cultural heritage.

"There should be no coons if such a parade is held because I don't think the coons have any part in the culture and heritage of the non-White people" says Mr. I.J. Stober, representative of the Peninsula Management Committee on the Cape Town Festival Committee [...]
"No Part in our Culture', Don't Put the Coons on Parade — Plea", *Cape Herald*, July 27, 1976. [WM]

36.

Cape Town's Coon Carnival is in jeopardy because of the Riotous Assemblies Act. This law will prevent troupes from marching through the streets to Coon carnival venues in the Peninsula.

Organisers must give an undertaking to the authorities that no troupes will parade through any streets in the Cape Peninsula. Unless they can give this undertaking permission for the carnivals which are now all commercial will not be granted.

Uncertainty now faces the fate of the carnivals as permission for the carnivals has been withheld by the authorities until organisers agree to conditions imposed after recent unrest in the city [...]

Mrs. R. Allen of the [Western Province Coloured Jubilee Coon Carnival] Board said [...] "I sympathise with the authorities but let us hope we reach a compromise soon otherwise it will put a damper on the carnival spirit of the coons" [...]

"City Coon Carnival Is in Jeopardy", *Argus*, December 23, 1976. [DN]

37.

The Cape Coon Carnival is definitely on, but the troupes will perform at only three venues because of the Riotous Assemblies Act, Mr. Cassiem Banoo, director of the Athlone and Districts Coon Carnival Board, said yesterday.

There was great disappointment among the organizers of the carnival, members and the community as a whole because the coons were not permitted to march through the streets of the Peninsula while the Riotous Assemblies Act was operative, Mr. Banoo said [...]

The organizers of the carnival did not understand why the Christmas Choirs and the Malay Choirs were not affected by the Riotous Assemblies Act, Mr. Banoo said.

"It seems that we are the only ones hit by this law and while we appreciate and respect the law, we are very puzzled that the others are allowed to perform. Surely we serve a similar function and what applied to us must, as a right, also apply to them. I just can't understand it [...]"

A spokesman at the magistrate's office in Wynberg said yesterday that the decision to lift the Assemblies Act was in the hands of the Minister of Justice, Mr. J.T. Kruger.

"Coon Troupes to Perform at Three Venues", *Cape Times*, December 25, 1976. [DN]
38.

The annual Coon Carnival will go ahead but no coons will be allowed to march in Peninsula streets, according to Mr. Cassiem Banoo, organiser of the carnival at the Athlone Stadium.

Mr. Banoo made this announcement after talks with Brigadier P.A. Cerff, senior police officer in the Western Cape, to-day.

Mr. Banoo said the police had given a "sympathetic hearing" to a delegation of carnival organisers but had pointed out that incidents could arise if coons were allowed to march in the streets [...]

"The organisers must give an undertaking to the authorities that no troupes will parade through any streets in the Cape Peninsula if the prohibition on gatherings under the Riotous Assembly Act is extended after December 31 [...]

The coon organisers must ensure that coons who even live five minutes away from the Athlone Stadium must not march to the carnival venue and must be transported to and from the stadium instead", Mr. Banoo said.

"Coon Carnival to Go Ahead", *Argus*, December 29, 1976. [DN]

39.

[...] The organizer of the Hartleyvale event, Mr. Sonny Lloyd, yesterday said the authorities had been highly sympathetic to the needs of the 4 000 members taking part in the carnival which begins on January 1.

The acting chief magistrate for Cape Town, MR. J.H. Krige, said performers could walk individually to the stadium, but processions were not allowed.

Processions to the nearest railway station are to be permitted in the Goodwood magisterial district, according to a letter received by Mr. Lloyd from the authorities.

Processions have been banned in Athlone. One of the organizers of the carnival there, Mrs. C. Banoo, said this was because of tension in the area, but it was hoped that the restrictions would be relaxed by the Minister to allow house-to-house movements by the Coons.

"Coons Carnivals Allowed, Restricted", *Cape Times*, December 30, 1976. [DN]

1977

40.

A huge crowd — including a squad of riot police — packed the Athlone Stadium to celebrate the New year opening of the 1977 coon carnival [...]

A contingent of uniformed police were on duty and later they were joined by the riot police to whose presence many of the spectators in the stands objected. However the crowd seemed happy when they left through a side entrance soon afterwards [...]
"That's the Spirit!", Sunday Times Extra, January 2, 1977: 5. [WM]

41.

[...] This year the about 6 000 coon fans who jam-packed the Athlone Stadium to see the nine scheduled troops perform received a not-so-welcome bonus.

A tenth group, dressed in gay and fashionable camouflage uniforms came bouncing into the arena but instead of the traditional cheers, loud boos and jeers heralded their appearance.

They were a 20-man unit of the riot squad. As they sat down a coon captain said to me: "Now there is going to be trouble. This is unnecessary."

However, their appearance was brought to an end long before they got the chance to sing the "juvenile sentimental" or the "Afrikaanse moppie" when they were invited to leave by M. Cassiem Banoo of the Athlone and District Coon Carnival Board. And they promptly left [...]

Then there was the white coon who unbeknown to the crowd pranced about the stadium. He turned to be well-known Cape Town psychologist Gerald Stone who is doing research on the coons [...]

But the thing that made me wonder was when the African Zonks entered the arena dressed in patriotic orange, white and blue and carrying a larger than-life South African flag. The same people who, minutes earlier, had booed the riot squad cheered like crazy.

"Boos Greet Riot Squad at Stadium", Cape Herald, January 4, 1977. [WM]

42.

Well, they have done it again.

Whether you liked it or not, the Coons have come, done their annual thing — dancing, singing, robbing and raiding, handed out pleasure and pain, joy and disgust — and have eloped away laughing.

It happens every year without fail [...]

Every year, too, with their appearance comes that concerted call from sections of the Coloured community for the Coons to be disbanded and to fade from the scene.

But, the Coons have proved once again to be invincible [...]

Next year, they will be back again whether you like it or not, to make you clap your hands or raise them in resignation. They will remain the annual carnival — and calamity — of Cape Town.

"Coons Came, Saw and Conquered, with Tears in my Eyes", by Jacky Heyns, Sunday Times Extra, January 16, 1977. [WM]
43.

In the Black townships of Soweto, Langa, Nyanga and Guguletu the people were mourning for those who had offered their lives in the belief of equitable society. Black people elsewhere in the Republic shared their sentiments because they too had lost loved ones in the same manner but except for a section in the Western Cape who blissfully accept the status of Coloured, the label whites have bestowed upon them. And for these Coloureds, “coonery” is part and parcel of being Coloured.

They celebrated the New Year with coon carnivals, revelling in the debasement of
theirselves.

While other Blacks visited the graves of those killed and abstained from merry-
making, these Coloured coons, and their followers acted as if to them living in South
Africa with its stringent laws was Utopia a land of happy brown folks all ready to sing
and dance and not a thought of the ravages done to them physically and spiritually.

They prefer to perform while other Blacks mourn.

“Performers and not Mourners”, *Muslim News*, January 21, 1977. [WM]

44.

Mr. J.W.G. Allen, a Coon carnival organizer and sports administrator for the past 50 years died in hospital yesterday after being knocked down by a car in Strand Street, Cape Town, a few weeks ago. He was 75.

Mr. Allen, a teacher, conducted music classes for many years. He was known particularly for his charity work and served on many welfare and educational committees. He was chairman of the sub-committee of the Maitland Cottage Home for Cripples.

He was prominent as a sportsman and sports administrator in rugby and held various official positions in the City and Suburban Rugby Union and in other unions.

He started the Western Province Jubilee Carnival Board which this year celebrated its 42nd anniversary at the Cape Showgrounds, Cape Town [...]

“Death of Coon Organizer”, *Cape Times*, January 27, 1977. [DN]

45.

[...] In an editorial article earlier this year, the *Muslim News* attacked Coloured coonery at a time when people were mourning the death of many who had died “in the belief of equitable society” [see 44] [...]

But is the *Muslim News* and similar criticism of the coons fair?

The article made no mention of Manenberg, Bonteheuwel and Retreat and all those other so called “coloured” places where people also died. Places where people stood as one and ironically also those places where most of the coons come from.
In their attack the *Muslim News* failed to mention those “coloureds” who not only refrain from attending coon carnivals but also detach themselves from the dying when it is being done.

They did not mention the leeches who grow fat from the fork outs, who sit back and relax until the fighting is over and then step in to reap the benefits went unnoticed.

[Can we give a man no recognition] just because he dances and sings in the streets? Do we now say that we do not care whether he did not go to work when a stayaway occurred or we do not care whether he was also one of those nearly killed when the bullets flew in Bonteheuwel?

Can we erase all this just because he dances in the streets? The question of whether this is right or wrong is a small one in relation to the problem in South Africa.

Other people play white again and others leave the country. Every one has a little place he escapes to sometimes. Some use music, or drink and dance or something else and most seek no justification for what they are doing and it can be excused as long as they do it only some of the time.

We must be like the reeds that bend in the wind not the stiff oak that gets blown over. All the world's a stage, but we cannot all be leading actors.

“Is It Fair to Attack the Coons?”, by Maruwan Gasant, *Cape Herald*, February 8, 1977.

[WM]

1978

46.

[...] In terms of the Riotous Assemblies Act, the strumming minstrels have been forbidden to march through Peninsula streets his year [...]

Mr. Sonny Lloyd, doyen of the Coon Carnival, was fairly philosophical when interviewed by Weekend Argus yesterday [...]

“I think it was a disgrace that the Chamber of Commerce tried to stop [the coons’] traditional Tweede Nuwe Jaar by declaring the shops open on second New Year’s Day. What right have they to stop the coloured people’s traditional holiday for the past 62 years.”

He continued: “I was heartbroken when the City Council represented by Cape Town’s traffic department and then the Government clamped down on the march through the city [...]

There’s one important question I want to ask the Government and the City Council. Why should the UCT Rag have the whole city turned over to them while my people are denied the same privilege? All they would need would be barrels and ropes and a little help from the Traffic Department to contain the crowds.
There would be no incidents and the Coons would collect money from spectators by rattling money boxes — just like the students.

I would be prepared to give those monies to any charities prepared to help me on that day” [...]

The Minister of Justice, Mr. Jimmy Kruger, was not available for comment on the banning of the Coon Carnival Parade, under the Riotous Assemblies Act.

“Coons: Near the End?”, by Pamela Diamond, *Argus*, January 7, 1978. [DN]

47.

The Coon Carnival is fast on its way out because of deteriorating standards and bad behaviour, mainly of the spectators, according to Mr. Walter Swanson, who has been associated with the carnival fraternity for 30 years.

Mr. Swanson, who was a judge at the Coon festival held at Hartleyvale Stadium on Saturday, said the behaviour of the spectators had become so poor that he was mugged after the show.

“My opinion is that the whole thing is dying and I feel it should be allowed to die a natural death. As far as I am concerned, I am through with it.”

The festival has become commercial and the standard of singing and the rest of the trimmings that went with making a good show, had all gone down the drain.

He believed the Riotous Assemblies Act, which prevented the Coons from marching in the streets, was also largely responsible [...]

“I Was Mugged at Show — Judge”, by Mark August, *Cape Times*, January 9, 1978. [DN]

48.

In most Western cities the street parade is a recreation by working class men and boys, in which they show their solidarity in cultural groups and clubs, show off their skill in marching and music, and often have fun.

In countries with warm climates, summer is time for a community carnival, with funny costumes, raucous music, merry-making, and wild, happy disorder.

Put the two together and you have the basics of the Coon Carnival, in which working class Capetonians of colour, like their counterparts in Brazil, Spain, Italy and other European countries.

But there is, of course, more to the Coon Carnival, which is always the centre of controversy.

Many working class people disregard it as disreputable and even dangerous. Many middle class people see it as degrading and politically embarrassing.

Muslim religious leaders condemn joining it as un-Islamic in its lack of self-respect.

The police regard it as a nuisance.
Troupe captains accuse each other of winning trophies unfairly, and accuse Board organisers of hiding huge profits.

Board organisers try to keep their affairs very secret, sometimes claiming that they organise carnivals "for the love of the coloured people" or "to do something for the boys over New Year" [...]

Much of the audience at the competitions and lining the streets consists of the Coons' families and friends, for whom the street is a place to meet and relax, away from the chores and tensions of overcrowded, overheated homes.

For them the "big days" are a time to live it up, two or three weeks into which to cram as much pleasure and excitement as possible, enough to compensate for dull year after year of a dead-end job on dead-end pay (if there is work at all these days).

Middle class people usually have more comfortable homes and perhaps gardens to relax in, and are more likely to have cars to move around and wealth to spend, celebrating their better fortune and expecting more.

Many of them have contempt for the Coons as failures in life who care nothing either for themselves or of the embarrassment and other troubles they cause the more successful.

And white people, mostly middle class, regard the Coons vaguely as a colourful spectacle, to be smiled at and patronised if the Coons are friendly, and to be avoided if they look like getting a bit wild: the police will take care of them — if the police are around.

And the Coons are aware of the potential strength in their numbers as their open mocking of the police shows. And for once the police put up with most of it, but only at Nuwejaar.

There are the seeds of rebellion in the carnival, just hinted at now and then...

And black Bantu-speakers? Well, for them, the Coons are just another of the "amalawus" hang-ups which they took on from the white man... and anyway it's best to keep out of public attention on the streets outside the townships [...]

"Coons Black Faced Mockery?", by Gerald Stone, *Cape Herald*, January 14, 1978.

[WM]

49.

The Department of Community Development has given permission for the Coon Carnival to be held at Green Point Stadium. It is the first time the carnival will be held there.

Mr. Gasant Levy, secretary of the Peninsula Coon Carnival Board, said 10 troupes would take part in the carnival on January 1, 2 and 6.
"The City Council said we could use the stadium but we had to apply to the department for permission because it is situated in a proclaimed white Group Area and the troupe are from the coloured race group", he said.

Mr. Solly Levy, public relations officer for the board, said the news that the department had given permission for the carnival at the stadium was "most welcome".

"We have been given permission to allow a multiracial crowd to attend the carnival", he said.

"Stadium Venue for Coon Carnival", *Argus*, August 2, 1978. [DN]

## 1979

### 50.

Police were called in to disperse a large stone-throwing crowd who damaged motor-cars and broke windows in Wale Street on New Year's Eve.

The crowd of about 4 000 had gathered in Wale Street to welcome the coon carnival procession. [...]

"Police Stop City Riot", *Argus*, January 2, 1979. [DN]

## 1980

### 51.

Coon carnivals have been a New Year tradition for 94 years, but Cape Town people are divided on the issue and once again coloured leaders have spoken against them.

The introduction of the Group Areas Act, which caused thousands of people to be moved from District Six, a focal point of coon tradition, and the Riotous Assembles Act in 1976 preventing them marching through the streets has done much to dampen the spirit and spontaneity of carnivals.

Mr. Norman Daniels, vice chairman of the Western branch of Tuca [Trade Union Council of South Africa] said: "Over the years, I have condemned the coon carnival, not because it is a carnival, but because it is a coloured thing. People deplore this.

"I do not believe it adds to the dignity of the individual. Most thinking coloured people do not support it," he said.

Mr. Hassan Howa, president of the SA Council on Sport said talking to him of coon carnivals was like waving a red flag before a bull.

"I have no doubt that the discipline involved is good for the people and many enjoy the shows, but I believe the good is outweighed by the harmful image coon carnivals convey.

White people look on them as typical of non-white culture. This is not so — the coon carnival is a pseudocultural activity. It gives people a false sense of identity. They forget their dignity," he said.
"Twenty to 40 years ago, it was different. People could sit in the streets watching the troupes go by. All could join in, but the Group Areas Act and the Riotous Assemblies Act have changed all that. New Year's Day should be a day of carnival, mardi gras with everybody participating equally," he added.

Chairman of the Cape Peninsula Coon Carnival, Mr Solly Levy, who is in his 70s, has been in the game for over 40 years — mostly involved with costume making.

"Many educated coloured people believe coon carnivals make monkeys of people — this is non sense. They are pure entertainment, fun, and give a lot of enjoyment." [...]

Mr. Sonny Lloyd [...] said not only do the carnivals give immense pleasure to many, they also provide employments. Many tailors and seamstresses make their year's living from sewing the costumes.

And how does the man in the street feel?

Only two of the 20 people spoken to said the carnivals should be phased out [...]

"Discordant "notes" on Coon Carnival", *Argus*, December 31, 1980. [DN]

1981

52.

A youth was shot dead at a Coon carnival at the Athlone Stadium on New Year's Day and another person was injured. The youth died yesterday in hospital.

The motive for the shooting is not known but it appeared that the two people who were shot belonged to one troupe of artists and the man with the gun to another [...]

Large crowds gathered in Adderley Street before midnight on New Year's Eve and a contingent of uniformed police were on hand to prevent incidents.

While what appeared to be a number of gang members including members of the Glitter gang, mingled with the crowd, there were no reports of violent crime.

However, a number of people moved swiftly through the throng, jumping out of darkened doorways and alleys and smearing black shoe polish on the faces of and clothes of hundreds of Capetonians and tourists who were in the City centre to see the New Year in.

Police stopped a number of people and reprimanded them before releasing them. There were no arrests.

"Youth Is Shot Dead at Coon Carnival", *Cape Times*, January 3, 1981. [DN]
53.

A troupe of Coons hijacked a bus in Athlone on Saturday evening and forced the driver at gunpoint to drive to Valhalla Park where they robbed him of R. 5.

A City Tramways bus driver, Mr. S. Abrahams, 22, told the police he was driving on the Athlone-Bonteheuwel route at 9 pm when about 13 men in coon outfits outside the Athlone stadium forced him to stop.

They climbed aboard and, with firearm at his head, forced him to drive to Valhalla Park.

At Valhalla Park, he was robbed of R5 and R5 worth of bus tickets.

In another incident involving coons two men were shot — but not seriously hurt — during an argument on a passenger train near Pinelands on Saturday. The Railways Police chief in the Western Cape, Brigadier H du Plessis, said today his detectives were investigating the shooting which occurred when a number of Coons returning home allegedly moved into the white section of the train [...]

“Coons Hijack Bus in Athlone”, *Argus*, January 18, 1982. [DN]

54.

At times like this old Kapenaars like myself sigh for those dandy Coon bands and troupes that once strummed and swayed their insouciant way through the crowded streets of this old town, bringing life and gaiety and an air of centre-city carnival. They are gone now, but need it be for ever? [...]

No wonder our lively Captour organisation has been trying to get the Coons back on the city streets [...]

The Group Areas removals, and in particular the banishment from District Six, punctured their bubble, understandably. A catastrophe such as this might have soured a saint.

What we have left of the Coon phenomenon are emasculated, stadium-bound competitions at various centres. And even these have been degenerating. Last year there were violent scenes in and outside some stadiums, the worst at Hartleyvale, where police were hard put to restore peace in a bottle-throwing outbreak.

Increasingly, coloured leaders have been calling for an end to the Coon carnival tradition. Adam Small, the poet, called it a “commercialised mockery”. Others liken today’s compartmentalised Coons to “performing monkeys” and suggest the community has developed culturally beyond such “exhibitionism”.

I see their point, but there is a resilient body of young coloured and Malay opinion which still sees the annual Coon explosion as a fun thing, a joyous letting-down of the
hair, an outlet for their instinctive sense of rhythm and musicality. Yes, and inherent
exhibitionism, too [...]

"Bring Back the Coons to the City, Talk at the Tavern of the Seas", by The Wanderer,
*Argus*, December 27, 1982. [DN]

1983

55.

Zane Adams, one of Cape Town's veteran entertainers, said it on the box for all the
world to hear — he was not very proud of the fact that he was part of the coons [...]

"I started singing in a vocal group in 1962 with some other young boys and we simply
did what the older, more established groups did," Zane said after the TV screening.

"Unfortunately they introduced us to the coons and that was the worst thing they
could have done. It just put us in a rut [...]

When I was introduced to a coon troupe [ca. 1962], I joined the Sterling Stars, from
Sterling Street and I actually won the juvenile solo. The next year the leader of the
American Jazz Singers told me he wanted me for his troupe.

He wanted to make sure he had the top juvenile singer and they were a 900 strong
troupe [...]

As far as I am concerned, coon carnivals are a breeding ground for crime [...]

There is a terrible stigma attached to the coons and we have enough problems
without people saying this is how "they" look and behave."

"Not Proud of my Coon Days", *Cape Times*, July 23, 1983. [DN]

56.

On a recent television programme on jazz in South Africa, Cape Town musicians Tony
Schilder, and Leslie Klensmith were persistently asked by presenter Don Albert about
"ethnic" or "Cape Town" influence of their music and inevitably were asked about the
coons, which was obviously what the presenter meant by "ethnic".

Why, oh why, do they have to associate people of colour with the coons? The word
"coon" is derogatory. [...] I do take exception to being referred as a coon, in whatever
form it may be.

The other fallacy brought up by Mr. Albert was that people of colour are "happy".
What do we have to be happy about? Everybody knows the political and social
upheavals we have been through and the facade some show only hides deeper emotions
and misgivings. T. JOHNSON, Lansdowne

"Ethnic Labels", *Argus*, December 5, 1983. [DN]
The Coon Carnival and Malay Choir organisations are seriously considering calling off their annual year-end festivities in the light of the unrest in the Cape [...]

Many people feel that “this is not a time for celebrations” and some tailors have been asked not to make the Coons’ satin outfits or choir suits.

Cape Malay Choir Board president, Mr. Kashief Ernest said: “In view of the suffering of the community and the loss of lives in the present crisis, the Cape Malay Choir Board has decided to call off its New Year’s Eve parade.

It commiserates with all those who lost loved ones during the unrest and expresses its solidarity with those striving for a just society in which all South Africans will be free and equal in human dignity and rights [...]

Although no decision has been taken yet regarding the January competitions, two choirs at the Cape Malay Choir Board's meeting this week — each of whom lost a member in the recent unrest — pressed for a total cancellation of January's competitions [...]

Mrs. Margie Arenz who has successfully tendered to stage coon carnivals at the Athlone Stadium, said their annual carnival competition scheduled for January 1, 2, 4 and 11 would go on as planned [...]

One [coon] troupe captain told the Sunday Time he had been warned not to enter his troupe as there could be lots of trouble because “this is no time to dance and jive in the roads”.

Doyen of Cape Coon carnivals, Mr. Sonny Lloyd, said that if this year's coon carnival competitions were cancelled, it would be the first time in the 45-history of organised carnivals that such a decision had been taken.

[The Athlone carnival will eventually be cancelled. Sunday Times, December 8, 1985]

“Not the time to celebrate”, by René Du Preez, Sunday Times, November 3, 1985.

[WM]

The Hartleyvale based Coon Carnival Board are determined to continue with their New Year celebrations — despite calls to refrain from performing because of the unrest [...]

Although the board has much sympathy with people's feelings, especially those who have lost family during the unrest, they believe coon carnivals bring people together and are a way for people to ring in the New Year on a happy note [...]

Mr J. Gordon, spokesman for the Hartleyvale Coon Carnival Board said: [...] “We believe coon carnivals are necessary to bring some joy to the tens of thousands of people in the Cape [...]
Also, the troupes have already spent tens of thousands of Rands on their outfits.

Asking them to throw all this away is grossly unfair” [...]

"One Coon Board to Go Ahead", by René Du Preez, *Sunday Times*, November 10, 1985. [WM]

1986

[Death of Edgar James "Sonny" Lloyd, born 1901, tailor and "non-white events promoter". *Cape Times*, May 13, 1986]

1987

59.

The 100th Coon Carnival takes place at the Cape Showgrounds in Goodwood on
January 1, 2, 16 and 23.

The Coons will also be marching through the streets of Cape Town for the first time
in a decade on January 2 from 9 am. to noon.

For the first time in its history, the carnival is being organized by two women, Anne Carstens and Lisa Hogarth, and for the first time one troupe, the Famous New Blue Girls, will be captained by a woman.

Lisa and Anne say it is their dream to see the “old tradition” of the coon carnival restored to Cape Town.

Many stars were discovered through the coon carnival — Danny Williams, Jonathan Butler, Zayne Adams, Ronnie Joyce and others.

"Cape Coons Go Back on the March Again", *Cape Times*, Funfinder supplement, December 23, 1987. [DN]

1988

60.

Thousands of people flocked to the city centre on Saturday to see the first Coon Carnival street procession in 14 years.

The traditional street parade on "Tweede Nuwe Jaar" was originally banned from the streets because of unruly crowd behaviour and violence but was revived this year after magisterial permission was obtained.

Mr. John Miranda, secretary and manager of the Cape Centenary Coon Carnival Board and participant in Saturday's parade, said thousands of people had lined the route from the Grand Parade via Adderley, Wale, Rose and Strand streets back to the Parade.

"It was wonderful to be back in the streets of Cape Town after so many years", Mr. Miranda said [...]
"Thousands Flock to see "Coons" in City", *Cape Times*, January 4, 1988. [DN]

61.

Cape Town streets are to swing with all the new year fun and frolic of a Coon Carnival procession when, for the first time in 12 years, Coon troupes march the traditional route to Green Point.

According to a spokesman for the organisers, Mr. Al Hendricks, the green light has been given for a "mardi gras procession" in Adderley and Wale streets on Tuesday, January 3 from 11 am.

"It'll be just like old times", said Mr. Hendricks [...]

The procession is linked to carnival festivities to be held at the Green Point stadium on January 2, 3, 7 and 14 [...]

"Coons to March to Green Point — "Just Like Old Times"", *Argus*, December 19, 1988. [DN]

62.

He began with the coon troupes when he was only six years old and he's also the man who discovered Jonathan Butler.

The name Al Hendricks is synonymous with the Coon Carnival, and it will be a proud day for him on Tuesday when the troupes return to the streets of Cape Town [...]

Thirty years ago he won a national Al Jolson contest at the old Alhambra Theatre in the city and from that day on his given name of Ebrahim became just a memory.

"I was number 70 something on the list, but I think I got it because I used the Jolson line "put on the lights, I want to see their faces!"

"That was an entertainer, everybody loved him."

Entertainment has been Al's life. He remembers as a little boy in District Six that he looked forward to New Year more than to Christmas and to the opportunity of seeing his father — Abdullah, known as "Fred" — taking part in the troupes.

"It was our day. They call it the "minstrel carnival" now because they don't want to offend anyone, but to us it will always be the Coon Carnival" [...]

Al has been involved with the Coons for 48 years, and was a stalwart through the days when District Six was demolished and the carnival was reduced to a one-day happening at the Green Point Stadium. For 12 years the traditional march though the city was banned.

"We really battled to get the march back, and its future depends on the behaviour of everyone taking part. I have personally addressed every member of every troupe and they understand that everything rests on it being under control" said Al this week [...]"
"Carnival Returns: Proud Day for Al", by Diane Cassere, *Cape Times*, December 31, 1988. [DN]

1989

63.

Tens of thousands of spectators lined the streets of Cape Town yesterday to watch the city's first official “Coon Carnival” parade through the city in 12 years.

Troupes taking part in the Original District Six OK Minstrels Carnival '89 arrived for the start of the march at the Grand Parade about half an hour late to find a huge crowd waiting.

Even more people lined Darling, Adderley and Wale streets [...]

Some of the minstrels claimed they came from "District Six Bush" [...]

It seemed all of Cape Town revelled in the carnival atmosphere."

"Coons' Welcomed Back to City Centre", *Cape Times*, January 4, 1989. [DN]

64.

[...] It is worth noting that at the 1989 May Day celebrations at Athlone stadium the Cosatu unions marched to the Internationale — but the workers anthem was sung (by a Garment Workers Union choir) to guma beat (played by the Musical Action for Peoples Power band) and the unions marched in klops (coon) style [...]

Jeppie 1990: 73 [AD]
# Epilogue

## 1990–1996: Klopse in a non racial South Africa

### 1990

Cape Town's traditional Coon Carnival, a scene reminiscent of the City big peace marches of 1983. Thousands of spectators lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the coons troupe, dressed for the occasion as they marched through the City from District Six to the Green Point Stadium, for only the second time in the past 12 years. The carnival marked the District Six Coon Carnival Board's 100th anniversary and the Parade followed weeks of painstaking preparations and practice, and frantic fundraising to find the R. 28 000 to hire the necessary 36 buses.

"On Parade..., *Cape Times*, January 3, 1990. [DN]

### 2.
[...] Ismail [Dante] started in his first troupe, called quaintly The Honolulu Dainty Darkies, at the age of five. By that time, his father had gone on to become involved in the Cape Malay Choir Board with Dr. I.D. du Plessis, an expert on Malay songs and traditions at the Cape.

"At that time our family was living in the Bo-Kaap and we were involved with the coons", says Ismail.

Today he is a tailor in Mitchells Plain: "As far as I know, I am the only Dante to be a tailor. Mr. Edries Dollie of the Bo-Kaap taught me how to cut a jacket and sew."

His other major involvement is with his own coon troupe. The Good Hope Entertainers, which was also the name of his father's troupe. The Good Hope Entertainers also have a rugby team and a cricket team.

Ismail has five children — three daughters and two sons. The coon tradition is peculiarly male, so it is the sons who will follow on.

Although the Coon Carnival will take place at the Green Point Stadium this year (on January 1, 2, 5 and 12), it is unlikely that a large march of all the troupe through the streets of Cape Town will take place because of lack of sponsorship for the transport required.

"As the Good Hope Entertainers are based in Cape Town and because we were established in the Bo-Kaap we have permission to march there, but many of the troupe
5.

Rival Coon Carnival factions took a judge at his word when he told them that as it was the festive season, they had to try to settle their differences out of court.

The Original Coon Carnival Board, rival promoter Victor Adams and the Cape Town City Council did just that yesterday and went back to court a few hours later with a deed of settlement [...]

"Coons Heed Judge, Make Up", *Argus*, December 14, 1993. [DN]

1994

6.

Spokesmen for the two rival coon carnivals have slated the city council for "money-wasting" and attempting to "stifle and manipulate" what should be a prestigious event on the city's calendar.

The carnivals begin today at adjacent stadiums in Green Point but the highlight will be Monday when a record number of coon teams stage their annual march through the streets of the city.

Spokesman for the Green Point Stadium-based District Six Coon Carnival Board, Fagmie Carelse, said the coon fraternity were giving people a free show but had to make do with no assistance from the council, Captour or Satour

Instead, the council seemed determined to make as much money as possible from the popular event [...]

Mr. Carelse said [...]: "Whereas top international artists pay R. 13 500 a day for the stadium we had to tender 30 000 a day. But the council succumbed to our request to waive the tender system and we were finally given the stadium at the correct price [...]

Cape Town Original Coon Carnival boss Melvin Matthews said the Cape Town Carnival was the only carnival in the world which got absolutely no support from the local authority [...]

He called for the creation of a "Carnival Development Committee" early next year to include representatives of the city council and the two rival boards [...]

There should be no middle-men, promotors or outsiders — the carnival should be run by the coon captain themselves.

"Coons Blast City Council", *Week End Argus*, January 1/2, 1994. [WEE]

7.

Cape Town's traditional *Tweedenuwejaar* coon carnival march through the streets of the city on Monday will be slightly different this year. Not only is Monday the third
day of January — traditionally not a bank holiday — but the two rival boards will be
taking to the streets together [...]

"This Year, It's a Carnival with a Difference", *Week End Argus*, January 1/2, 1994.
[WEE]

8.

Cape Town, Jan. 1 — This is how Marawan Giergo and thousands of other victims of apartheid greeted 1994, the year of their expected liberation from white rule:

They dressed themselves in bright satin suits and bow ties and cheap Panama hats.
They painted their faces minstrel-type in black and white. Clutching little umbrellas,
they capered before their families and friends to songs that ranged from "Old Folks at
Home" to "The Impossible Dream".

They called themselves “coons”, a term innocently borrowed along with the costume
designs and songs from an America where such displays long ago passed into the realm
of shame.

The Coon Carnival, the climax of a New Year revel unique to Cape Town, is an
annual celebration of identity for the mixed-race South Africans known as “coloreds”
and a disconcerting admonition to anyone tempted to think of South Africa as simply
black and white [...]

With elections coming, former critics have made their peace with the tradition.

Among the sausage vendors and popcorn sellers at the competition in Green Park
[sic] Stadium today, the African National Congress had a booth selling Nelson Mandela
T-Shirts.

"One could disapprove of it and say that it's demeaning" a congress volunteer said.
"But we feel that now is the time to include everybody".

"But Will '94 Be a Cakewalk for These Strutters?", *New York Times International*,
January 3, 1994. [DN]

9.

Mile upon mile of bright satin, transvestites, clowns, dogs in drag — a slice of Cape
Town on show for all to see.

Third of January or not, the annual coon carnival *Tweedenuwejaar* march through
the streets of Cape Town brought the city to a standstill for several hours either side
of midday yesterday.

Despite the bickering, the threatening, the backstabbing and the court appearance
which marred the run-up to the annual event, this year's carnival proved the coons
could draw major crowds [...]

"They should have closed the streets. There are too many cars compared to previous
years," 75-years-old Hazendal veteran Freda Paulsen said [...]
Allan Boesack, whom they called “the future prime minister of the Western Cape”, sang their songs including *I can’t help falling in love with the ANC*, an adaptation of the hit song by the British group UB 40.

“African National Co(o)ngress ?”, *Week End Argus*, January 29-30, 1994. [WEE]

## 13.

Green, black and gold balloons; hundreds of miniature ANC flags; and a popular *klopse* band were all part of the carnival atmosphere on Saturday when the ANC released its election manifesto in Bonteheuwel.

A packed civic hall was treated to more than politics and, at one stage, Dr. Allan Boesack, ANC Western Cape chairperson, in true *klopse* style, pranced around the stage in the red and white colours of the Beach Boys.

The crowd of 2 000 swayed and sang the songs they knew like “I Will Always Love You” and “I Can’t Help Falling in Love (with the ANC)”. They waved flags while Boesack boogied with his wife Elna and ANC executive member Mr. Reg September [...]

“Cape-Style Carnival Greets ANC Manifesto”, by Quentin Wilson, *South*, February 2, 1994. [GM]

## 14.

Future coon carnivals will be operated and controlled by the Coon Carnival Development Committee, the Cape Town City Council has decided.

In a bid to iron out problems surrounding the allocation of venues, council officials met carnival promoters and coon captains who took part in last year's carnival.

The main role players said they did not like the tender system, they wanted Captour to advertise the event and obtain sponsorships and they wanted a single carnival body.

Conflicting suggestions were put forward, but the executive committee overturned the amenities and health committee's recommendations.

Instead, the council voted in favour of the main role player's recommendations [...]

“Single Coon Carnival Body”, *Argus*, July 1, 1994. [DN]

## 15.

In a bid to end conflict among coon carnival factions, the city council has given operators the go-ahead to use the Green Point, Athlone or Hartleyvale stadiums for less than half the professional daily tariff [...]

The decision will be reviewed next July.

Amenities and health committee chairman Chris Joubert asked councillors to accept the package, which had been painstakingly negotiated “for hours and hours” with rival carnival operators.
In terms of the deal, the carnival will be operated and controlled by the Coon Carnival Development Committee, comprising councillors and operators [...]

“Go-Ahead for New Coon Carnival Deal”, *Argus*, July 29, 1994. [DN]

16.

Members of Cape Town's three rival coon carnival boards say they have finally settled their differences and formed a united board to organise the colourful New Year carnival [...]

Yesterday members of the Original Coon Carnival Board, the District Six Coon Carnival Board and he Cape Town Original Coon Carnival Board announced they had formed the Coon Carnival Development Trust Committee which would be the only body representing the more than 30 coon troupes [...]

“Rival Coon Groups Form United Body”, *Argus*, August 4, 1994. [DN]

1996

17.

The arrival of President Mandela by helicopter was greeted by a roar from the crowd and a standing ovation at the opening of the Coon Carnival at Green Point Stadium.

Wreathed in smiles and wearing a sequinned minstrel-style outfit in the colours of the ANC, Mr. Mandela stole the show from the spectacularly dressed teams yesterday.

Amid tight security he took a slow 15-minute walk around the stadium, smiling cheerfully and constantly waving his white cap at the crowds and participants [...]

A number of songs were dedicated to him, including a rousing “Nelson Mandela” song to the tune of Mona Lisa by well-known jazz singer Robbie Jansen and his band.

Mr. Mandela said the country's coloured community need not feel they were a minority dependant on Africans or whites.

They belonged to the majority and their rights, which could not be taken away, were protected in the constitution.

“Ovation for Mandela at Spectacular Carnival”, by Lindsay Barnes, *Argus*, January 23, 1996. [DN]
II

THEMES IN KLOPSE NAMES

a research document compiled by

DENIS-CONSTANT MARTIN

1998

(revised in September 2020)
Klopse names

In the course of my perusing newspaper articles and literature dealing with the *Kaapse klopse*, I found 485 different names of *klopse*. They are listed below and most are classified according to the connotations, associations and identifications they may suggest. Many names appear under several headings to allow for the possibility — even probability — of multiple connotations. This survey does not provide precise information on troupes, their existence at a particular moment, their life span: most newspaper articles dealt with official carnival competitions and it is possible that some troupes, although active in their neighbourhoods, never participated in those competitions. The same troupe may appear under different, slightly altered names; journalists did not always report correctly the names of the troupes (especially in the times preceding the presence of electric amplification at the stadia), this is particularly evident where *Atjas* (Red Skin or American Indians) are concerned, but although the “core” of the name (Pennsylvania, Louisiana, Broadway, Diamond Eyes) was usually recorded and printed correctly, qualifiers (famous, fabulous, young) and mentions such as “coons” or “minstrels” may have been omitted, or added in print. This list is probably far from exhaustive; especially since mentions of the troupes’ names were not systematic in newspapers reports and changed from year to year. However the number of occurrences, the period covered, as well as memories collected during interviews suggest that it is not unreasonable to assume that it is fairly representative and that, although in a somewhat fuzzy manner, it provides useful indication on tendencies, interests and fashions revellers and carnival organisers — who probably represent a large part of the coloured working class population — were sensitive to. I have tried to identify what could be associated with the names of certain *klopse*, an attempt which largely amounted to guesswork and is probably quite subjective; I have nevertheless signalled these (tentative) associations by “*” and provided sketchy explanations at the end of the document where is also given a list of carnival venues.

Titles of publications are underlined; names in capital refer to works cited in the reference section above, except “personal observation, 1994” and “CCDB 1996”: photocopied volume gathering the notation sheets for the Coon Carnival Development Board competitions, 1996 (unpublished), kindly communicated by Mr Melvyn Matthews.
## KLOPSE NAMES

### African Zonks*

*Cape Herald* 4/1/1977 + *Cape Times* 1/1/1983 + *Argus* 18/1/1988 + *Argus*,
4/1/1994 + CCDB 1996

### Alabama Coons

*Cape Times* 4/1/1927 + *Argus* 2/1/1930 + *Argus* 2/1/1931 + *Cape Times*
28/12/1935 [1936] + *Cape Times* 15/2/1938 + GREEN 1951: 193
.founded by Johnny Cavalla, ca. 1900
-sing "Die Alabama"

### Alabama Sunflower Gentlemen Darkies

*Cape Times* 6/1/1964

### Ambassador Carnation Coons

*Cape Times* 30/12/1939 [1940]

### American Darkies

*Argus* 31/12/1927 [1928]

### American Hunters

*Argus* 30/12/1921 [1922]

### American Jazz Singers

*Cape Times* 30/12/1936 [1937] + *Cape Times* 23/7/1983 [1964]

### American Jubilee Singers*

*Cape Times* 11/1/1937

### American Jubilee Jazz Singers*

*Cape Times* 12/1/1948

### American Masqueraders

*Cape Times* 29/12/1951 [1952]

### American Sporting Troupe

*Cape Times* 3/1/1907 / American Sporting Club. *Argus* 1/1/1908 + *A.P.O.*
17/1/1920 + *Cape Times* 1/1/1921 + *Argus* 30/12/1921 [1922]

### American Starlights Entertainers

*Argus* 7/1/1961 + *Argus* 12/1/1961 + *Argus* 7/1/1963

### American Stars

*Cape Times* 6/1/1964

### American Yanks

*Cape Times* 1/1/1921

### Arcadian Film Star Jazz Singers

*Cape Times* 4/1/1958 + *Argus* 5/1/1959 + *Cape Times* 11/1/1960 + *Cape Times*
9/1/1961 + *Cape Times* 6/1/1964 + *Argus* 10/1/1970 + *Cape Times* 11/1/1971
Ashley Coons Masquerading Troupe
*Argus* 1/1/1908

Athlone City Dixies
*Cape Times* 9/1/1973 + *Cape Times* 7/1/1974

Athlone Cottonfield Darkies
*Cape Times* 30/12/1939 [1940]

Atlantis Superstars
CCDB 1996

Bachelor Hawker Boys
*Cape Times* 11/1/1971

Baltimore Lawn Tennis Coons
*Argus* 1/1/1908 / Baltimore Coons. *Cape Times* 4/1/1909

The Bambara Warriors of the Sudan*
*The Sun*, 12/1/1940

Banana Boys
*Argus* 2/1/1979

Banana Jazz Singers
*Cape Times* 17/1/1972 + *Argus* 6/1/1973.

Barcelona Bull Fighters
*Argus* 2/1/1930

Beach Boys (Athlone)
*Sunday Times* 2/1/1994 + *Cape Times* 3/1/1996

Beaconsfield Darkies
*Cape Times* 3/1/1948 + *Outspan* 25/11/1949 [1950] + *The Sun* 6/1/1950 + *Cape Times* 5/1/1953 + *Cape Times* 4/1/1954
- captain 1949: Cassiem Manan (36, hawker)

Beau Brummels
MANUEL 1977 + *Cape Times* 18/12/1954

Billionaire Boys
*Cape Times* 17/1/1994 + CCDB 1996

Bits and Pieces*
*Cape Times* 11/1/1937 + *Cape Times*, 28/12/1940 [1941] + *Cape Times* 3/1/1948 +
*Cape Times* 12/1/1948 + *Cape Times* 10/1/1953 + *Cape Times* 1/1/1983

Bits and Pieces Sporting Troupe*
*Cape Times* 30/12/1939 [1940] + *Cape Times* 10/1/1949
Black Star Line Coons

<u>Argus</u> 30/12/1921 [1922]

Blue Danube Troubadours

<u>Cape Times</u> 4/1/1937

- one of the leading troupes in the 1930s - 1940s: Jeppie in CRAIN, SOUDIEN
1990: 76-77 + JEPPIE 1990: 53

Bluegum Entertainers (Bonteheuwel)

<u>Argus</u> 27/1/0/1987 [1988]

Bo-Kaap Entertainers

<u>Cape Times</u> 1/1/1983

Bokomo Cornfield Darkies

<u>Cape Times</u> 29/12/1951 [1952]

Bontevanian Roses

<u>Argus</u> 27/1/0/1987 [1988]

Bontevanians

<u>Cape Times</u> 11/1/1971

Bontevanians Hot Shots

<u>Cape Times</u> 30/12/1989 [1990]

Britannia Volunteer Minstrels

<u>Cape Times</u> 4/1/1954

Broadway Ex-Volunteers Darkies

<u>Cape Times</u> 12/1/1948

Broadway Gentlemen Singing Coons

<u>Cape Times</u> 4/1/1937 + <u>Cape Times</u> 15/2/1938

Broadway Gentlemen

<u>Cape Times</u> 19/12/1945 [1946] + <u>Cape Times</u> 3/1/1956

Broadway Serenaders

<u>Cape Times</u> 10/1/1949

Bullfighters

MANUEL 1977 + <u>Cape Times</u> 18/12/1954

Bunny Crush Crooning Minstrels

<u>Cape Times</u> 29/12/1951 [1952]

Caledonian Jazz Singers

<u>Argus</u> 5/1/1959

Caledonian Roses Crooning Minstrels

<u>Argus</u> 5/1/1959
California Jazz Singing Coons
*Argus* 2/1/1930

Californians
*The Sun* 6/1/1950

Californian Crooning Minstrels
*Argus* 5/1/1959 + *Cape Times* 11/1/1960 + *Cape Times* 10/1/1961

Camptown Jockeys Masquerading Troupe*
*Argus* 1/1/1908

Cape Corps Original*
*Cape Times* 19/12/1945 [1946]

Cape Corps Original Louisiana Coons*
*Cape Times* 12/1/1948

Cape Town Checker Coons / Cape Town Checkers / Cape Town Famous Checker
Coons
*The Cape Standard* 10/1/1939 + *Cape Times* 3/1/1941 + *Cape Times* 3/1/1942 +
*Cape Times* 10/1/1955

Cape Town City Entertainers
*Cape Times* 7/1/1974

Cape Town Ex-Servicemen Darkies
*Cape Times* 12/1/1948

Cape Town Gentlemen Jazz Singers
*Cape Times* 3/1/1948 + *Cape Times* 12/1/1948

Cape Town Hawkers (Coons)
*Argus* 2/1/1930 + *Argus* 2/1/1934 + *Cape Times* 3/1/1934 + *Cape Times* 20/3/1937
+ *Cape Times* 30/12/1939 [1940] + *Cape Times* 12/1/1948 + *Cape Times*
11/1/1960 + *Argus* 12/1/1961 + 1994 + CCDB 1996 + GREEN 1951: 192
- from District Six

Cape Town Hawkers Costers Coons
*Cape Times* 4/12/1935 [1936]

Cape Town Hawkers' Derby Coons
*Cape Times* 4/1/1937

Cape Town Jong Span*
*Cape Times* 29/12/1951 [1952]

Cattle Stampers
*Cape Times* 3/1/1923 + *Argus* 3/1/1924
### Checkers*

Argus 2/1/1925 + Cape Times 10/1/1930 + Cape Times 11/1/1937 + Cape Times 6/1/1943

### Checker Plantation Coons*

Cape Times 3/1/1934

### Cherry Pickers

GREEN 1951: 193 + MANUEL 1977 + Cape Times 18/12/1954

- founded by Gamat Longfield

- riding horses, wearing red trousers and swords

### Cinnamon Coons

Cape Times 4/1/1909

### City Grand Minstrels

Cape Times 4/1/1958

### College Boys (probably a Malay Choir)

Cape Times 3/1/1923 + Argus 3/1/1924 + Argus 2/1/1925

### Colorado Bright Eye Coons

Cape Times 10/1/1955

### Coming Stars (Moffees Troupe)

Argus 31/12/1927 [1928] + Cape Times 10/1/1929

### Continental Darkies

Cape Times 10/1/1949

### Continental Jazz Singers

Cape Times 30/12/1939 [1940]

### Coony Stars

Cape Times 10/1/1930

### Cornwall Crooning Minstrels

Cape Times 4/1/1958 + Argus 5/1/1959 + Cape Times 11/1/1960 + Argus 12/1/1961

### Coronation Canadian Minstrels

Cape Times 11/1/1960 + Cape Times 10/1/1961

### Coronation Crooning Minstrels

Cape Times 10/1/1955

### Coronation Darkies

Cape Times 3/1/1948 + Cape Times 12/1/1948

### Coronation Groovy Crooning Minstrels

Cape Times 7/1/1974
Coronation Jazz Singers

<u>Cape Times</u> 10/1/1955

Coronation Palladium Minstrels

<u>Cape Times</u> 4/1/1958 + <u>Argus</u> 5/1/1959

Coronation Performing Crooning Minstrels

<u>Argus</u> 6/1/1973

Coronation Jubilee Jazz Singers* (Claremont)

<u>Cape Times</u> 30/12/1961 [1962] + <u>Argus</u> 7/1/1963

Cotton Field Darkies

<u>Cape Times</u> 4/1/1927 + <u>Cape Times</u> 27/12/1932 + <u>Cape Times</u> 11/1/1937

Crooning Dixiana Minstrels of Broadway

<u>Outspan</u> 25/11/1949 [1950]

Dahomey Coons/ Dahomeys*

<u>Cape Times</u> 3/1/1907 + <u>A.P.O.</u> 17/1/1920 + <u>Cape Times</u> 1/1/1921 + <u>Cape Times</u>
3/1/1923 + <u>Argus</u> 3/1/1924 + <u>Argus</u> 2/1/1925 + <u>Argus</u> 5/1/1959

Dahomeys Masquerading Troupe*

<u>Argus</u> 1/1/1908

Dahomey Gentlemen Coons*

<u>Cape Times</u> 29/12/1951 [1952] + <u>Argus</u> 12/1/1961

Dahomey Minstrels*

<u>Argus</u> 7/1/1963

Dainty Dixie Darkies

<u>Cape Times</u> 4/1/1954

Dandy Coloured Coons

<u>Argus</u> 1/1/1908

Darktown Brigade Coon Troupe

<u>Cape Times</u> 3/1/1907

Darktown Strutters*

<u>Cape Times</u> 3/1/1956 + <u>Cape Times</u> 4/1/1958 + <u>Cape Times</u> 10/1/1961 + <u>Cape Times</u>
11/1/1977

Dawn Darkies

<u>Cape Times</u> 4/1/1937

Darktown Fire Brigade Sporting Club

<u>Argus</u> 1/1/1908
Delta Jazz Minstrels

<u>Argus</u> 6/1/1968

- captain 1968: D. Sain

Desert Arabs

MANUEL 1977 + <u>Cape Times</u> 18/12/1954

Desert Outlaws

<u>Argus</u> 31/12/1927 [1928]

Diamond Eyed [or Eyes]* Coons

<u>Cape Times</u> 4/1/1909 + <u>Cape Times</u> 4/1/1927+ <u>Argus</u> 2/1/1930 + <u>Argus</u> 2/1/1931 +
<u>Cape Times</u> 3/1/1934 + <u>Cape Times</u> 4/12/1935 [1936] + <u>Cape Standard</u> 26/5/1936
+ <u>Cape Times</u> 4/1/1937 + <u>Cape Times</u>, 28/12/1940 [1941]

- founded by Fatie Abrahams in 1911 (GREEN 1951: 193) or in 1910: <u>Cape Times</u>,
December 4, 1935 [????]

Diamond Eye Minstrel Troupe*

<u>Argus</u> 5/12/1905

Dixiana Jazz Singers

<u>Cape Times</u> 19/12/1945 [1946] + GREEN 1951: 192

Dixie Crooning Minstrels

<u>Cape Times</u> 11/1/1960

Dixie Diamond Eyed Minstrels*

<u>Argus</u> 7/1/1963

Dixie Entertaining Minstrels

<u>Argus</u> 7/1/1978

Dixie Glamour Star

<u>Argus</u> 8/1/1966

Dixie Groovy Minstrels

<u>Cape Times</u> 11/1/1977

Dixieland

<u>Argus</u> 7/1/1963

Dixie Nigger Minstrels

<u>Cape Times</u> 10/1/1961

Dumont Radio Coons*

<u>Cape Times</u> 29/12/1951 [1952]

Dusky Dinah Coons*

<u>A.P.O.</u> 17/1/1920 + <u>Cape Times</u> 1/1/1921 + <u>Argus</u> 30/12/1921 [1922] + <u>Cape Times</u> 3/1/1923 + <u>Argus</u> 3/1/1924 + <u>Argus</u> 2/1/1925
Eastridge Crooning Minstrels
*Argus* 1-2/5/1993

Echo Minstrels
*Cape Times* 29/12/1951 [1952]

Eddie Cantor Jazz Singers*
*Argus* 5/1/1959

Elsie's River Film Stars
*Argus* 8/1/1966

Elsie's River Pep Crooning Minstrels
*Argus* 6/1/1973

Enfield Darkies
*Cape Times* 10/1/1949

Enfield Gentlemen Coons
*The Sun* 6/1/1950 + *Cape Times* 29/12/1951 [1952]

Egyptian Burglars
*Cape Times* 1/1/1921

Enslin Dusky Diamond Eyes (Worcester)
*Cape Times* 2/1/1953 [see Worcester Esselen Park]

Ethiopian Broadway Jazz Serenaders
*Cape Times* 9/1/1961

Ethiopian Hollywood Jazz Singers
*Argus* 8/1/1966

Ethiopians Jazz Serenaders (Hollywood)
*Argus* 5/1/1959 + *Cape Times* 11/1/1960

Ethiopian Jazz Singers
*Cape Times* 29/12/1951 [1952] + *Cape Times* 10/1/1955 + *Cape Times* 6/1/1958

Ethiopian Jubilee Jazz Singers*
*Argus* 8/1/1968

Ex-Volunteers
*Week End Argus*, 1-2/1/1994

Ex-Volunteers Starlight Minstrels*
*Cape Times* 10/1/1955

Fabulous Cincinnati Jazz Singers
*Cape Times* 5/1/1953 + *Cape Times* 10/1/1955

Famous African Zonks*
*Cape Times* 3/1/1989
Famous Carnivals

<u>Cape Times</u> 1/1/1983

Famous Invincible Darkies

<u>Cape Times</u> 4/1/1958 + <u>Argus</u> 12/1/1961

Famous Pennsylvania Darkies

<u>Cape Times</u> 5/1/1953 + <u>Cape Times</u> 4/1/1954

Famous Richmond Gentlemen Coons

<u>Cape Times</u> 11/1/1960 + <u>Cape Times</u> 9/1/1961 + <u>Argus</u> 7/1/1963

Famous Original Wild American Masqueraders

<u>Argus</u> 7/1/1963

Famous Wild Apaches

<u>Argus</u> 10/1/1970

Famous Young Apaches

<u>Argus</u> 6/1/1973

Famous Young Masqueraders

<u>Cape Times</u> 3/1/1989

Five Star Crooning Minstrels

<u>Argus</u> 5/1/1959 + <u>Cape Times</u> 11/1/1960 + <u>Cape Times</u> 9/1/1961 + <u>Argus</u> 7/1/1963
+ <u>Argus</u> 8/1/1966

Five Star Melody Darkies

<u>Cape Times</u> 11/1/1960

Floridian Young Ones Minstrels

<u>Argus</u> 7/1/1963 + <u>Cape Times</u> 17/1/1972 + <u>Argus</u> 6/1/1973

Flush (Glee) Party

<u>Argus</u> 31/12/1927 [1928] + <u>Cape Times</u> 10/1/1929

Four Arts Crooning Minstrels

<u>Argus</u> 3/1/1970 + <u>Cape Times</u> 11/1/1971
- captain 1970: J. Bell

Gaiety Jazz Singers

<u>Argus</u> 5/1/1959

Gaiety Swing Stars

<u>Cape Times</u> 11/1/1960

Gallotone's Rumba Serenaders*

<u>Cape Times</u> 29/12/1951 [1952]

Gardenian Crooning Minstrels

<u>Cape Times</u> 6/1/1958 + <u>Argus</u> 5/1/1959
Gentleman Coons

<u>Cape Times</u> 4/1/1909

Geronimos

<u>Cape Times</u> 1/1/1983

Glamour Boys

<u>Week End Argus</u>, 1-2/1/1994 + CCDB 1996

Glamour Star Dusters / Glamour Starusters Coons

<u>Cape Times</u> 12/1/1948 + <u>Cape Times</u> 29/12/1952 [1953]

Glamour Star Hawkers

<u>Cape Times</u> 11/1/1971 + <u>Cape Herald</u> 15/1/1972

Glamour Students

<u>Cape Times</u> 11/1/1971

Glamourous Superstars

<u>Argus</u> 4/1/1996

Gold Bar Broadway Gentleman Coons

<u>The Cape Standard</u> 10/1/1939

Gold Dollar Gentlemen Darkies

<u>Cape Times</u> 11/1/1960

Gold Dollar Serenaders

<u>Argus</u> 7/1/1963

Golden Crooning Minstrels

<u>Cape Times</u> 4/1/1958 + <u>Cape Times</u> 11/1/1960

Golden Eye Coons

<u>Cape Times</u> 4/1/1927

Golden Eye Darkies

<u>Cape Times</u> 10/1/1930

Golden Lily Minstrels

<u>Cape Times</u> 7/1/1974

Golden Moments

<u>Cape Times</u> 10/1/1955

Golden Star Dixies

<u>Argus</u> 8/1/1966

Good Hope Independents/Entertainers

<u>Cape Times</u> 3/1/1989 + <u>Cape Times</u> 30/12/1989 [1990] + <u>Week End Argus</u>, 1-2/1/1994 + CCDB 1996
Goodwood

<u>Cape Times</u> 11/1/1960

Goodwood Broadway Jazz Singers

<u>Argus</u> 7/1/1963

Grand Parade Crooning Minstrels*

<u>Argus</u> 7/1/1967 + <u>Argus</u> 6/1/1973 + <u>Cape Herald</u> 4/1/1977

Grand Parade Darkies*

<u>Cape Times</u> 4/12/1935 [1936] + <u>Cape Times</u> 4/1/1937

Grand Parade Minstrels* / Grand Parade Minstrel Coons*

<u>The Cape Standard</u> 10/1/1939 + <u>Cape Times</u> 4/1/1932 + GREEN 1951: 192

Granita Entertaining Minstrels

<u>Cape Times</u> 7/1/1974

Great Elsie's River Crooning Minstrels

<u>Cape Times</u> 1/1/1983

Great Gatsbys (Bonteheuwel)

<u>Cape Herald</u> 7/12/1976 + <u>Cape Herald</u> 4/1/1977

- captain 1976: Farouk Harrison aka Jerry Lewis

Greek King's Bodyguard

<u>Cape Times</u> 4/1/1933

Haarlem Serenaders

<u>Cape Times</u> 10/1/1961

Haarlem Zonk Minstrels*

<u>Argus</u> 8/1/1966

Hamadia Soul Minstrels*

<u>Argus</u> 6/1/1973 + <u>Cape Times</u> 7/1/1974

Hamediah Crooning Minstrels*

<u>Argus</u> 5/1/1959 + <u>Cape Times</u> 11/1/1960

Hamediahs Diamond Jazz Serenaders*

<u>Cape Times</u> 4/1/1958

Hanover Gentlemen Coons*

<u>Cape Times</u> 5/1/1953 + <u>Cape Times</u> 4/1/1954 + <u>Cape Times</u> 10/1/1955 + <u>Argus</u>
12/1/1961

Hanover Nigger Minstrels*

<u>Cape Times</u> 9/1/1973
Happy Bar Boys

<u>Argus</u> 31/12/1927 [1928] + <u>Cape Times</u> 10/1/1929 + <u>Cape Times</u> 3/1/1930 + <u>Cape Times</u> 10/1/1930

Happy Boston Coons / Happy Bostons

<u>Cape Times</u> 4/1/1927 + <u>Argus</u> 2/1/1930 + <u>Cape Times</u> 4/1/1932 + <u>The Cape Standard</u> 10/1/1939

Happy Bostons Minstrels

<u>Argus</u> 8/1/1966

Happy High Born Coons

<u>Argus</u> 31/12/1927 [1928]

Happy Little Darkies Masquerading Troupe / Happy Little Darkies

<u>Argus</u> 1/1/1908 + <u>The Cape Standard</u> 10/1/1939

Happy Little Niggers

<u>The Sun</u> 6/1/1950

Happy Niggers of Broadway

<u>Cape Times</u> 30/12/1939 [1940] + <u>Cape Times</u> 29/12/1951 [1952]

Harlem Darkies

<u>Cape Times</u> 1/1/1921 + <u>Cape Times</u> 10/1/1955

Hawaian Tropical Serenaders / Hawaian Serenaders

<u>Cape Times</u> 12/1/1948 + <u>Cape Times</u> 10/1/1949

Hawkers Serenaders

<u>Cape Times</u> 10/1/1949

Hennent Crooning Minstrels

<u>Argus</u> 5/1/1959

High Born Coons

<u>Argus</u> 29/12/1929 [1923] + <u>Cape Times</u> 10/1/1930

Highwaymen

<u>MANUEL</u> 1977 + <u>Cape Times</u> 18/12/1954

Hi-Notes Jazz Minstrels

<u>Cape Times</u> 6/1/1958

High Notes Nigger Minstrels / Hi Notes

<u>Argus</u> 7/1/1967 + <u>Argus</u> 4/1/1969 + <u>Argus</u> 3/1/1970 + <u>Cape Times</u> 11/1/1971 + <u>Cape Times</u> 7/1/1974 + <u>Cape Times</u> 1/1/1983
- captain 1967, 1970: D. Martin

Hippie Entertaining

<u>Cape Times</u> 11/1/1971
Hit Paraders Minstrels

<u>Argus</u> 3/1/1970 + <u>Cape Times</u> 11/1/1971

- captain 1970: A. Solomons

Hollywoods.

<u>Argus</u> 7/1/1967

Hollywood Film Stars Serenaders

<u>Argus</u> 5/1/1959 + <u>Cape Times</u> 11/1/1960

Hollywood Jazz Singers

<u>Cape Times</u> 15/2/1938

Hollywood Palm Beach Serenaders

<u>Outspan</u> 25/11/1949 [1950] + <u>Cape Times</u> 4/1/1954 + <u>Cape Times</u> 10/1/1955 +
<u>Cape Times</u> 28 12/1957 [1958] + <u>Cape Times</u> 4/1/1958 + <u>Argus</u> 7/1/1963 + <u>Cape Times</u> 6/1/1964

Hollywood Panamanian Serenaders

<u>Cape Times</u> 5/1/1953

Hollywood Serenaders

<u>Cape Times</u> 3/1/1948 + GREEN 1951: 192 + <u>The Sun</u> 6/1/1950

Honolulu Crooning Minstrels

<u>Cape Times</u> 17/1/1972

Honolulu Dainty Darkies

<u>Cape Times</u> 3/1/1948 + <u>Cape Times</u> 29/12/1951 [1952] + <u>Argus</u> 12/1/1961

Honolulu Jazz Singers

<u>Cape Times</u> 10/1/1953

Incombator Coons

<u>Cape Times</u> 10/1/1929 [incubator?]</text>

Incubator Coons

<u>Cape Times</u> 10/1/1930 + <u>Cape Times</u> 4/1/1932 + <u>Argus</u> 3/1/1933 + <u>Cape Times</u>
3/1/1934 + <u>Cape Times</u> 11/1/1937

Independent Broadway Darkies

<u>Cape Times</u> 30/12/1939 [1940]

Independent Broadway Jazz Singers

<u>Cape Times</u> 28/12/1935 [1936]

Independent Broadway Minstrels

<u>Argus</u> 7/1/1963 + <u>Cape Times</u> 6/1/1964 + <u>Cape Times</u> 6/1/1969 + <u>Argus</u> 10/1/1970
+ <u>Cape Times</u> 11/1/1971 + <u>Cape Times</u> 17/1/1972

Independent Dawn Darkies

<u>Cape Times</u> 30/12/1939 [1940]
### Indian Outlaws

*Argus* 3/1/1933

### Indian Waiters Masquerading Troupe

*Argus* 1/1/1908

### Invincible Darkies

*Argus* 5/1/1959 + *Cape Times* 11/1/1960

### Italian Lifeguards

*Cape Times* 4/1/1921

### Irish Princes

*Cape Times* 4/1/1921

### Jazzy Singers

*Argus* 2/1/1931

### Jolson Jazz Singers*

*Cape Times* 10/1/1955 + *Cape Times* 4/1/1958 + *Cape Times* 11/1/1960

### Jolly Jolson Nigger Minstrels*

*Argus* 4/1/1969 + *Cape Herald* 10/1/1970 + *Cape Times* 11/1/1971 + *WE Argus*

2/1/1982

captain 1970: W. Albertyn

### Jubilee Singers*

*Cape Times* 4/1/1932

### Junior Young Happy Bostons

*Cape Times* 1/1/1983

### Kensington Famous Ex-Volunteer Jazz Singers

*Cape Times* 5/1/1953

### Kensington Young Stars

*Cape Times* 3/1/1991

### Kentonian Crooning Minstrels*

*Argus* 7/1/1963 + *Cape Times* 6/1/1964

### Kentucky Coons

*Argus* 3/1/1933

### Kentucky Entertainers

*Cape Herald* 4/1/1977

### Kentucky Gentlemen Coons

*Cape Times* 11/1/1960

### Kentucky Minstrel Darkies

*Cape Times* 10/1/1949
Kentucky Plantation Coons

<u>The Cape Standard</u> 10/1/1939 + <u>Cape Times</u> 30/12/1939 [1940]

Kentucky Victory Coons

<u>Cape Times</u> 19/12/1945 [1946]

Kikuyu Warriors*.

<u>Cape Times</u> 4/1/1937

- one of the leading troupes in the 1930s - 1940s: Jeppie in CRAIN, SOUDIEN
1990: 76-77 + JEPPIE 1990: 53

King of Roses

<u>Cape Times</u> 4/1/1927

King's Messengers

<u>Cape Times</u> 4/1/1909

Lavender Nigger Minstrels

<u>Cape Times</u> 4/1/1982

Lavender Superstars

<u>Argus</u> 4/1/1982

Lentegeur Entertainers

personal observation, 1994

Liberian Coons

<u>Cape Times</u> 4/12/1935 [1936]

Lavistown Crooning Minstrels

<u>Argus</u> 27/1/0/1987 [1988] + <u>Cape Times</u> 3/1/1989

Lawn Tennis Coons

<u>Argus</u> 29/12/1922 [1923]

Liberty Philadelphia Minstrels

<u>The Sun</u> 6/1/1950 + <u>Cape Times</u> 29/12/1951 [1952]

Lieberstein Gentlemen Serenaders

<u>Cape Times</u> 6/1/1964

London Hawker Jubilee Coons*

<u>Cape Times</u> 4/1/1937

- one of the leading troupes in the 1930s - 1940s: Jeppie in CRAIN, SOUDIEN
1990: 76-77 + JEPPIE 1990: 53

Lord Nelson's Escorts

<u>Argus</u> 1/1/1908

Lord Nelson Marines

<u>Cape Times</u> 4/12/1935 [1936]
## Lords of London

MANUEL 1977 + *Cape Times* 18/12/1954

## Louisiana Coon Troupe

*Cape Times* 3/1/1907

## Louisiana Gentlemen Coons

*Cape Times* 30/12/1939 [1940] + *Cape Times* 10/1/1949 + *Argus* 5/1/1959 + *Cape Times* 11/1/1960 + *Cape Times* 9/1/1961 + *Argus* 7/1/1967

## Louisiana Coons

*Cape Times* 10/1/1949 + *Cape Times* 29/12/1951 [1952] + *Cape Times* 6/1/1958

## Louisiana Happy Little Darkies

*Cape Times* 29/12/1951 [1952]

## Loyal Ex-Volunteers Darkies

*The Sun* 6/1/1950

## Luxa Rama Serenaders*

*Argus* 7/1/1963

## Mahobla Coons

*Cape Times* 10/1/1929

## Manenberg Entertaining Minstrels

*Argus* 4/1/1969

## Manenberg Darkie Minstrels

*Cape Times* 7/1/1974

## Manenberg Serenaders

*Cape Herald* 8/1/1972

## Manhattan Coons

GREEN 1951: 192

## Manhattan Broadway Serenaders

*Cape Times* 12/1/1948

## Manhattan Crooning Minstrels

*Cape Times* 17/1/1972

## Manhattan Dixie Darkies

*Cape Times* 4/1/1954 + *Cape Times* 10/1/1955

## Mardi Gras Fun Makers

*Cape Times* 7/1/1974

## Masonic Crooning Minstrels

*Argus* 7/1/1967
Matabele Warriors*

<u>Cape Times</u> 1/1/1921 + <u>Argus</u> 30/12/1921 [1922]

Matabele Cotton Plantation Darkies*

<u>Cape Times</u> 28/12/1957 [1958]

Meadow Cottonfield Gentlemen Singers*

<u>Cape Times</u> 7/1/1974

Meadow Cottonfield Jazz Singers*

<u>Argus</u> 7/1/1963

Meadow Cottonfield Minstrels*

<u>Argus</u> 8/1/1966 + <u>Argus</u> 4/1/1969 + <u>Argus</u> 6/1/1973

Meadow Crooning Minstrels*

<u>Argus</u> 7/1/1967 + <u>Argus</u> 6/1/1968

- captain 1967: G. Houston

- captains 1968: A Jacobs, R. Raatz

Meadow Gentlemen Jazz Singers*.

<u>Cape Times</u> 11/1/1960 + <u>Cape Times</u> 11/1/1971

Memphis Tennessee Sporting Club

<u>Cape Times</u> 3/1/1908

Mexican Cattle Stampers

<u>Cape Times</u> 28/12/1935 [1936]

Mexican Cattle Thieves

MANUEL 1977 + <u>Cape Times</u> 18/12/1954

Mexican Cow Boys

<u>Argus</u> 2/1/1925

Mexican Mash Riders

<u>Argus</u> 31/12/1927 [1928]

Mexican Outlaws

<u>A.P.O.</u> 17/1/1920

Mexican Raiders

<u>A.P.O.</u> 17/1/1920

Millionaire Darkies

<u>Cape Times</u> 28/12/1935 [1936] + <u>Cape Times</u> 4/1/1937

Mississippi Crooning Minstrels

<u>Cape Times</u> 11/1/1960

Mississippi Nigger Minstrels

<u>Argus</u> 5/1/1959 + <u>Argus</u> 12/1/1961 + <u>Argus</u> 7/1/1963 + <u>Cape Times</u> 6/1/1964 +
Argus 8/1/1966 + Argus 6/1/1968 + Cape Times 3/1/1989 + personal observation, 1994

- captain 1968-1994: G. Williams

Mississippi Sporting Club

Argus 1/1/1908

Mississippi Darkies

The Cape Standard 10/1/1939 + Cape Times 19/12/1945 [1946]

Mobil Crooning Minstrels

Argus 3/1/1970

- captain 1970: A. Jacobs

Mohegan American Masqueraders

Cape Times 7/1/1974

Mohican American Masqueraders

Cape Herald 10/1/1970

- captain 1970: G. de Lange

Mohican Indian Masqueradors

Argus 8/1/1966 + Argus 6/1/1973

Mohicans

Cape Times 6/1/1969

Mohigan Americans

Cape Times 11/1/1971

Moonlight Crooning Minstrels

Cape Times 3/1/1956

Multi-Millionaire

Argus 8/1/1966 + Cape Times 1/1/1983 + personal observation, 1994

Negresco Crooning Minstrels

Cape Times 1/1/1983

Nestle Dixieland

Cape Times 6/1/1964

Nestles Fabulous Entertaining Minstrels

Cape Times 11/1/1960

New Orleans (Athlone)

Cape Times 4/1/1954

New Orleans Coronation Darkies

Cape Times 5/1/1953
New Orleans Minstrel Darkies

<u>Cape Times</u> 4/1/1958

New Orleans Crooning Minstrels

<u>Argus</u> 5/1/1959 + <u>Cape Times</u> 11/1/1960 + <u>Argus</u> 7/1/1963 + <u>Cape Times</u> 6/1/1964
+ <u>Argus</u> 7/1/1967 + <u>Argus</u> 4/1/1969

- Captain, 1967: G. Houston

New World Classics

personal observation, 1994

Nooitgedacht Gatsbys

<u>Cape Times</u> 3/1/1989 + personal observation, 1994

Odds and Ends

<u>Cape Times</u> 10/1/1961 + <u>Argus</u> 7/1/1963 + <u>Argus</u> 7/1/1967 + <u>Cape Times</u>
11/1/1971 + <u>Cape Herald</u> 4/1/1977

- from District Six

OK Napier Surprise Coons

<u>Cape Times Supplement</u> 7/1/1933

Old Young Louisiana Troupe

<u>Cape Times</u> 29/12/1952 [1953]

Orange Plantation Darkies

<u>Cape Times</u> 28 12/1957 [1958] + <u>Cape Times</u> 10/1/1959 + <u>Cape Times</u> 11/1/1960

Orange Plantation Gentlemen Coons

<u>Argus</u> 3/1/1956

Orange Plantation Minstrels

<u>Argus</u> 12/1/1961 + <u>Cape Times</u> 6/1/1964

Orient Plantation Darkies

<u>Argus</u> 7/1/1967 + <u>Argus</u> 8/1/1968

- captain 1967: D. Jacobs

Original Colorado Jitterbugs

<u>Cape Times</u> 11/1/1960

Original Diamond Eyed Coons

<u>Cape Times</u> 29/12/1951 [1952]

Original Famous Wild Apaches

<u>Cape Times</u> 7/1/1974 + <u>Cape Times</u> 1/1/1983

Original Grand Parade Darkies*

<u>Cape Times</u> 10/1/1955

Original Happy Boston Coons

<u>Cape Times</u> 29/12/1951 [1952]
Original Hollywood Jazz Singers
*Argus* 5/1/1959

Original Jazz Singing Coons
*Cape Times* 29/12/1951 [1952]

Original Jazz Singers
*Cape Times* 10/1/1961

Original Multi-Millionaire Minstrels
*Argus* 8/1/1966

Original Newarks Minstrel Troupe
*Cape Times* 3/1/1908 / Newarks. *Cape Times* 4/1/1909

Original Seven Up Jazz Singers
*Cape Times* 4/1/1958

Original Wild Apaches
*Cape Times* 3/1/1989 + CCDB 1996

Panamanian Crooning Minstrels
*Cape Times* 29/12/1951 [1952] + *Cape Times* 10/1/1955 + *Argus* 8/1/1966

Panarama Crooning Minstrels
*Cape Times* 17/1/1972

Parkwood Jet Star Minstrels
*Cape Times* 7/1/1974

Pearly Kings*
*Cape Times* 4/12/1935 [1936]

Pennsylvania Crooning Minstrels
*Cape Times* 30/12/1989 [1990] + *Cape Times* 31/12/1991 [1992] + *Argus* 1-2/5/1993 + *Argus*, 4/1/1994 + *Argus* 28/12/1994 [1995] + CCDB 1996

Pennsylvania Dandy Darkies
*Cape Times* 10/1/1949

Pennsylvania Darkies
*Cape Times* 12/1/1948 + *The Sun* 6/1/1950 + *Cape Times* 8/1/1951 + *Cape Times* 7/1/1952

Pennsylvanians
*Cape Herald* 15/1/1972

Penny Pinchers All Stars
*Argus*, 4/1/1994 + *Argus* 13/1/1995 + CCDB 1996
### Philadelphia Hotshots

<u>Argus</u> 5/1/1959 + <u>Cape Times</u> 11/1/1960 + <u>Argus</u> 12/1/1961 + <u>Cape Times</u>
9/1/1973

### Philadelphians

<u>Cape Times</u> 11/1/1960 + <u>Argus</u> 7/1/1967

### Philco Radio Jazz Singing Coons

<u>Cape Times</u> 3/1/1942

### Plantation Coons

<u>Cape Times</u> 3/1/1923

### Play Boys / Fabulous Play Boys

<u>Argus</u> 7/1/1967 + <u>Cape Times</u> 11/1/1971 + personal observation, 1994
- from District Six

### Portuguese Guards

<u>Argus</u> 29/12/1922 [1923]

### Prince Charles I

<u>Cape Times</u> 3/1/1934

### Prince Harold Troupe

<u>Cape Times</u> 10/1/1929

### Prince of Benin's Escort

<u>Cape Times</u> 4/1/1909

### Prince of Lilies

<u>Cape Times</u> 4/1/1927

### Prince of Malabars

<u>A.P.O.</u> 17/1/1920

### Princess Escort

<u>Argus</u> 2/1/1907

### Progressives

<u>Cape Times</u> 4/1/1909

### Pumpkin Coons

<u>Cape Times</u> 28/12/1935 [1936]

### Q Town entertainers

personal observation, 1994

### Queen of Tar Tars

<u>Cape Times</u> 4/1/1921
Radio Broadcasting Singing Coons / Radio Broadcast Coons

<u>Cape Times</u> 4/1/1937 + <u>The Sun</u> 6/1/1950 + <u>Cape Times</u> 8/1/1951 + <u>Cape Times</u>
5/1/1953 + <u>Cape Times</u> 4/1/1954

Radio Minstrels

<u>Cape Times</u> 3/1/1941 + <u>Cape Times</u> 12/1/1948

Radio Allied Minstrels

<u>Cape Times</u> 19/12/1945 [1946]

Radio Students of Broadway

<u>The Cape Standard</u> 10/1/1939

Ragtime Millionaire Darkies*

<u>Cape Times</u> 29/12/1951 [1952]

Rainbow Darkies*

<u>Cape Times</u> 29/12/1951 [1952]

Rainbow Dixie Darkies*

<u>Cape Times</u> 29/12/1951 [1952]

Rainbow Red Indians*.

<u>Cape Times</u> 10/1/1955

Ravensmead TV Stars

<u>Cape Times</u> 3/1/1989

Red Eagles

<u>Cape Times</u> 4/1/1932

Red Eye Coons

<u>Argus</u> 31/12/1927 [1928]

Red-Eye Sunshine Coons

<u>Argus</u> 1/1/1908

Red-Eye Coons

<u>Cape Times</u> 4/1/1909

Red Eye Minstrels

<u>Argus</u> 3/1/1924 + <u>Argus</u> 2/1/1925

Red Girl Minstrels

<u>Cape Times</u> 3/1/1923

Red Heart Biancas

<u>Cape Times</u> 31/12/1986

Red Indians

<u>Argus</u> 29/12/1922 [1923] + <u>Argus</u> 7/1/1963
Red Skinaars

<u>Argus</u> 7/1/1963

Renegade Apaches

<u>Cape Herald</u> 4/1/1977

Renegades

<u>Cape Times</u> 1/1/1983

Richmond Gentlemen Coons

<u>Cape Times</u> 6/1/1958

Riverside Coronation Jazz Singers

<u>Cape Times</u> 17/1/1972

Rosebud Troupe

<u>Cape Times</u> 3/1/1907

Rose Tree Sporting Club

<u>Argus</u> 30/12/1921 [1922]

Rosewood Red Wild Indians

<u>Cape Times</u> 6/1/1964

Ruby Lips Coons

<u>A.P.O.</u> 17/1/1920

St. Julian Club

<u>Cape Times</u> 4/1/1921

Satellite Paging Minstrels (Mowbray)

<u>Cape Times</u> 28 12/1957 [1958]

Savoy Jazz Singers*

<u>Cape Times</u> 30/12/1939 [1940]

Schotsche Kloof Cape Town Crooning Minstrels

<u>Cape Herald</u> 15/1/1972

Schotsche Kloof Glamour Boys

<u>Cape Times</u> 9/1/1973 + <u>Cape Times</u> 7/1/1974 + <u>Cape Herald</u> 4/1/1977

Schotsche Kloof Minstrels

<u>Argus</u> 3/1/1970

- captain 1970: D. Adams

Schotsche Kloof Young Ones

<u>Cape Times</u> 1/1/1983

Sea Pirates

<u>Cape Times</u> 4/12/1935 [1936]