The 2025 Minstrel Competition came to a thrilling close on Saturday, January 25, as the West London All Stars were crowned champions.

The four-week event, ended on a high note with teams battling it out in the final categories: Juvenile Combined Chorus, Coon Song, Best Band, and Group Song.

The West London All Stars took home the overall winner prize. In second place were Baruch Entertainers and Playaz Inc took third place.

Some of the highlight moments saw Tashreeq De Villiers win the Afrikaans Moppie, Playaz bagging both solo singing categories through local artists Faghrie Isaacs and Andrea Fortuin.

Baruch Entertainers bagged the Adult Drum Major title, while TV Stars Youth Development secured the juvenile division.

In the Best Band category, which had built up plenty of excitement, saw West London All Stars bagging first prize and Baruch and TV Stars finishing in second and third.

Kaapse Klopse Karnival Association (KKKA) director Muneeb Gambino said they’re satisfied with the outcome.

“We are pleased with the performances and the results of section 1 and we want to congratulate all the teams on their achievements throughout the season, most importantly in preserving and celebrating this beautiful culture of our people.”

Section 2 will compete in the finals on Saturday January 1 at Athlone Stadium. Teams will compete in Juvenile Combined Chorus, Coon Song, Best Band and Group Song.

Section 2 participating teams are Juvie Boy Entertainers, Philadelphians Sporting Club and Youth Development, Cape Town Hawkers, Ashwin Willemse Orient Community Development, Original District Six Hanover Minstrels, Fabulous Woodstock Starlites, Manenberg Superstars and Mitchell’s Plain Young Tycoons.

Final results for Section 1 were as follows:

Best Dress

1. All Stars (80)

2. Baruch (79)

3. Posh Vibrant (78)

4. Phantoms (77)

5. TV Stars (76)

Klopse Jol

1. All Stars (86)

2. Baruch (80)

3. Playaz (78)

4. Posh Vibrant (76)

5. TV Stars (75)

Grand March Pass

1. All Stars (90)

2. Baruch (80)

3. Playaz (77)

4. TV Stars (73)

5. Posh Vibrant (66)

Juvenile Drum Major

1. TV Stars

2. Baruch

3. All Stars

4. Playaz

5. Posh Vibrant

Adult Drum Major

1. Baruch

2. All Stars

3. Posh Vibrant

4. TV Stars

5. Playaz

English Combine

1. Baruch

2. All Stars

3. Playaz

4. Posh Vibrant

5. Phantoms

Afrikaans Moppie

1. Baruch

2. Playaz

3. All Stars

4. Phantoms

5. Posh Vibrant

Juvenile Sentimental

1. TV Stars

2. All Stars

3. Playaz

4. Phantoms

5. Baruch

Male Adult Sentimental

1. Playaz

2. Baruch

3. Posh Vibrant

4. All Stars

5. TV Stars

Female Sentimental

1. Playaz

2. All Stars

3. Tv Stars

4. Posh Vibrant

5. West Bank

Juvenile Combine

1. All Stars

2. Phantoms

3. Playaz

4. Baruch

5. Posh Vibrant

Coon Song

1. Playaz

2. Baruch

3. TV Stars

4. Phantoms

5. All Stars

Best Band

1. All Stars

2. Baruch

3.Tv Stars

4. Playaz

5. Posh Vibrant

Group Song

1. Baruch

2. Playaz

3. All Stars

4. Phantoms

5. TV Stars

HIGHEST POSITION

1.All Stars

2. Baruch

3.Playaz

4. TV Stars

5. Posh Vibrant

Baruch Entertainers performing in the Group Song Category and the section 1 runners up. Picture: Lauren Paris

Phantoms Community Development performing in the Best Band Category. Picture: Lauren Paris

Tv Stars Youth Development competing in the best band category conducted by Carlton Adams. Picture: Karriem Salie

Playaz Inc from Mitchells Plain performing in the Best Band Category conducted by Kyle Daniels. Picture: Karriem Salie

Wesbank Youth Entertainers perform in the Juvenile combined chorus category. Picture: Karriem Salie

West London All Stars from Athlone perform in the Best Band Category, conducted by Lorenzo Blignaut. Picture: Karriem Salie

Posh Vibrant from Bishop Lavis compete in the Group Song Category. Picture: Karriem Salie

The stadium was packed to capacity for the final round of Section 1. Picture: Karriem Salie