Lentegeur-based Juvie Boy Entertainers and Mitchell’s Plain Young Tycoons were among minstrel troupes from across the city that gathered at Athlone Stadium for this year’s opening round of the Hollywoodbets KKKA Kaapse Klopse Competition, at the weekend. The buzz following the last week’s successful Tweede Nuwe Jaar Street Parade continues over the next few weeks.

Young Shaqeel September playing it cool under the floodlights at Saturday’s opening round of this years’ Kaapse Klopse Competition, at Athlone Stadium. Picture: Fuad Esack

The five-week-long competition, a true celebration of community and culture, kicked off on Saturday January 6 with approximately 19 000 excited spectators in attendance.

To mark the competition's opening, 19 Kaapse Klopse Karnivaal Association (KKKA) troupes took to the stadium and enthralled the audience with their opening performances - battling it out in categories such as Grand March Pass, Klopse Jol, Best Dressed Troupe, Juvenile Drum Major and Senior Drum Major.

Mitchell’s Plain Young Tycoons go through their paces in front of the crowd and judges at Athlone Stadium, on Saturday. Picture: Fuad Esack

This coming Saturday, January 13, sees troupes from Section One competing for top honours and once again on Saturday January 27. Section Two troupes will battle it out against each other on January 20 and February 3 to see which troupe reigns supreme.

All competition events will be adjudicated by a panel of judges who are appointed by the KKKA.

The categories to be adjudicated this weekend are: Juvenile Sentimental, Adult Sentimental, English Combined Chorus, Female Sentimental and Afrikaans Moppie Song.

Juvie Boys playing it cool under pressure during Saturday’s opening round of this year’s KKKA Kaapse Klopse Competition, at Athlone Stadium. Picture: Fuad Esack

Spectators can expect high energy and enthusiasm from all competing troupes who have spent months preparing to take the top spot.

Gates at Athlone Stadium open at 11am.

Tickets to support your favourite teams in person start at R30 each. Book through Computicket, Shoprite, Checkers and U-Save outlets as no tickets will be sold at the stadium.

Children younger than 5 won’t have to pay to attend the stadium competitions, while children between the ages of 4 and 13 pay R30 a ticket. Scanners will be available to allow entry for those with barcodes/tickets displayed on cellphones.

Juvie Boys in the house at Athlone Stadium in Saturday. Picture: Fuad Esack

Minister of Klops, Juvie Boys’ Ikraam “Iekie” van Witt in full swing at Saturday’s Kaapse Klopse Competition, at Athlone Stadium. Picture: Fuad Esack

Three’s company...From left are Raees Evans, Brian Williams and Raees Adams

Pictured are Juvie Boy Entertainers junior and senior drum majors, Junior Lamprecht, left, and Trevor Mentor. Picture: Fuad Esack

Juvie Boy Entertainers’ Ziyaad Esau all smiles during Saturday’s proceedings at Athlone Stadium. Picture: Fuad Esack

Juvenile Voorlopertjies Saeed Gester, and Ubaid Hoosain. Picture: Fuad Esack

Snare drummer Ziyaad Taba keeps the beat going at Saturday’s opening round of this year’s Kaapse Klopse Competition, at Athlone Stadium. Picture: Fuad Esack

Pictured are members of Mitchell’s Plain Young Tycoons at Athlone Stadium, on Saturday. Picture: Fuad Esack