In addition to valuing the impact of the CTC, one of the aims of this research was to test the Framework for the Monitoring and Evaluation of Publically Funded Arts, Culture and Heritage (SACO, 2016).
The Cape Town Carnival was established in 2010. The theme for the 2017 Carnival was ‘Amaza – Ocean Odyssey.’ Main aims of the event included providing opportunities for community participation and networking, building social cohesion, and building tourism and job creation.
Research design was based on the Framework for the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) of Publically Funded Arts, Culture and Heritage (SACO, 2016). Data was collected via interviews with audiences, data provided by organisers, and focus group discussions held with community participants in the parade.
In 2017, it attracted an estimated 44 900 people (audience) and a further 1 391 participants in the parade. 65% of the audience were younger than 35 years old, 57% were coloured and 21% were black African. 87% were local Cape Town residents. Of the visitors, 55% were South African, with the rest coming from foreign countries including Zimbabwe, China, Australia, Canada and the USA.
The CTC has both loyal repeat visitors (54% had attended before) and the ability to attract first-time attendees. 40% of the audience rated the 2017 CTC “world class”, with another 46% rating it “good for SA”. 80% rated it “great” in terms of the cultural diversity of the parade. For visitors, the average length of stay in Cape Town was 5.6 days/nights. 48% of visitors stayed in paid-for accommodation.
Focus group discussion with CTC participants showed good facilitation of diverse participants by organisers using a variety of methods. There were high levels of trust between participants and organisers.
Three-quarters of respondents regarded the cost of food, transport and other things at the CTC “reasonable. Including multiplier effects and excluding local sponsorship, the economic impact of the 2017 Cape Town Carnival on the economy of Cape Town was R41.14m.
