1800's was where it all started, from slavery they came and formed a unique sound of music and singing, born from oppression came the Kaapse Klopse, the first troupe date back to round 1873 namely the Original Jubilee Singers dressed in blue tailcoats and miniature top hats with each members eye circled in red founded by the Dantu Brothers. As the years progressed and finally in 1904 the first com
petition was held thanks to Mr Harry Coggins who was a member of the Green Point club convincing the members to spend £100 for trophies and opening the track for competition with the profits going to the green point Club.. Thanks to the minstrels at competition the Green Point Cricket club was back on its feet since they were rock bottom in finance before the minstrels, and all trophies was paid for, where before troupes gathers at places like Woodstock beach, Rhodes Estate and the Old Pier where after they gathered at the Green Point cycle Track. Minstrels/klopse (klubbe/clubs) became apart of the coloured community signifying freedom and unity. Intriguingly the competition rule stated that no troupe can walk away with more then one first prize trophy sponsored by the cape Argus 1906.. What was amazing during those times was police reports.. (No lock ups during the Christmas New year holidays) amazingly the track was filled from stands to right around the railings, estimating +-7000 people, what is amazing is the way the competition was conducted with the opening event, GRAND MARCH PAST.. We at the KKKA are striving to keep our history live by fulfilling the dreams of our forefathers in competing as close to the way it was done in yesteryear, we also strive to keep it as family orientated as possible since that was the way it was done years back.
