Division within Kaapse Klopse sparked by monetary gain, says historian

A Cape Town historian believes division within the Kaapse Klopse sparked by monetary gain is threatening to destroy the local culture.

A change in route for the Tweede Nuwe Jaar festival coupled by an ongoing court debacle for a venue to host the minstrel's competition has sparked an outcry related to the annual Klopse events.

Local historian Patric Mellet said division fuelled by greed had become a problem for the Kaapse Klopse.

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"This type of division is about the money, and it is about powerful interests who are after money and who have been fighting for their piece of the pie over everything else."

Mellet added that the division within the Kaapse Klopse need to be dealt with by having proper mechanisms in place.

"By establishing a bona fide trust that is audited, that raises money in the proper way with proposals, that has a board of governance that is independent."

The Tweede Nuwe Jaar festival is set to go ahead on Monday, while a court matter related to a venue for the minstrel's competition is still ongoing.