Klopse rectify points mix-up, naming TV Stars as Section 1 champions

The Kaapse Klopse Karnaival Association (KKKA) has stirred up excitement and confusion by announcing a new winner for their Section 1 competition due to a mix-up in the judging process.

Initially, Baruch Entertainers were celebrated as the Kings of the Carnival during the lively event at Athlone Stadium last Saturday. However, the KKKA later took to their Cape Town Street Carnival Facebook page to clarify that TV Stars should actually hold the top spot.

The KKKA said in a statement: “All leaders decided on the 97531 system, however this was not clearly communicated to the Adjudicators, which resulted in the Adjudicators defaulting to the percentage system. This was at no fault of the Adjudicators.

“We understand that a full adoption of these universal gold standards should be married with what tradition demands.

“After the Klopse Leaders have urgently met and deliberated, it has been adopted that the Adjudicators will employ gold standards to adjudicate the Troupes and once their placements are determined by their percentage rankings, those placements will be converted into the 97531 system in order to determine the overall winners.

“We have employed professional Adjudicators who have worked with us to course correct and are confident that the rest of the competition is now back in full swing.

“The system was in no way corrupted, rather it was not the system understood to be utilised for determination of overall placements.

“Thus, we confirm that in terms of the percentage system, the results were correct in placing Baruch as the overall winners.

“We congratulate Baruch on their excellent season and we apologise for the disappointment caused by the breakdown in our communication systems.

“We applaud Claude Jonas the Leader of Baruch for his sportsmanship, and for his leadership in his capacity as KKKA Chairperson in resolving this matter.”

According to the 97531 system, TV Stars ended top of Section 1 with 82 points, followed by Baruch and Ashwin Willemse Orient on 61 points each.  

They added: “We are committed to producing an ethical Carnival which is based on inclusivity, continual reflection and transparent leadership on matters that affect our sport.

“This decision and resolve is a testament to where Carnival is at regarding collective decision-making.

“Congratulations to TV Stars and to all the Troupes of Section 1 for producing performances at the highest level and for their excellent show of sportsmanship.”

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Cape Argus