Jozi will bid farewell to a landmark year with a vibrant celebration of music and art on New Year’s Eve, when the Joburg Carnival once again brings the city’s streets to life.

Joburg Carnival to ring in 2011 in style

Now in its seventh year, the City of Joburg’s annual carnival has become a favourite fixture among residents – providing them with a constructive creative outlet to express their festive spirit on 31 December.

This year, the Joburg Carnival’s theme is “Jozi My Jozi, My City”. The colourful parade will start in Kotze Street in downtown Jozi at 12 noon on New Year’s Eve, and will proceed through the city, over the Nelson Mandela Bridge and end at Newtown Park during the afternoon.

Expect an exuberant assortment of troupes, choirs, bands and floats making their merry way through the city – and residents are encouraged to line the route to check out the spectacle, or even join in the fun.

“Carnival is the most exciting project in the city for many reasons,” says Steven Sack, the City of Joburg’s Director of Arts, Culture and Heritage.

“Most importantly, it provides opportunities for young artists to participate in a wonderful spectacle: to design, paint, dance and construct a performance that moves through the streets in celebration of the end of one year and the beginning of a new year.”

Residents are currently hard at work in recreation centres across the city, with locals and foreign nationals coming together in the spirit of unity and tolerance to create costumes, floats and other carnival paraphernalia. During these carnival camps, they learn valuable carnival arts skills that could ultimately earn them a living.

Hosted by the City of Joburg, in partnership with the municipal-owned entities (MOEs) and the South African Police Service, the Joburg Carnival celebrates the creativity and diversity of Jozi, and provides a safe New Year’s Eve activity for inner-city residents and the youth. Police statistics indicate that the carnival has directly resulted in lower crime levels in the inner city over New Year since it was initiated seven years ago.

“This year’s carnival will be time to say goodbye to 2010 and to welcome in 2011,” adds Sack – so come and join with other Jozi families in the fun and jollity on 31 December, and see in the New Year in grand, celebratory style.