Young black professionals from South African cities arrived at the National Arts Festival last night and had a huge party.

They were celebrating the last night of the two-week festival.

Grahamstown’s New Street was “like Rockey Street in Yeoville, back in the day, but it was very black” said an observer.

“It was cars, people in the streets, the boots open, the music pumping, quite a bit of house, a bit of rock. People were on their mobiles setting up the jol. It was distinctly black.

“It was nice-cut clothes, eighties/London/punk rock-look everyone is taking on now. It was peeps showing on the street their right/entitlement to be here. It was a mix. Young black artists, but also the party crew following the artists, number plates Johannesburg and Eastern Cape, Mpumulanga,  Cape Town.  All nice cars –  BMWs, sports cars, Jeeps, SUVs of all kinds… Financed cars …”

“The Rat and Parrot is usually a place for a lot of young white tipsy students, now it looked like the outside of Baseline in Jo’burg, which is were a lot of black underground artists have gotten a place to perform. This was their supporters who were in town.

“It felt like they were here for the clubbing, and I heard someone say to this other cat in Xhosa ‘I am in the clubbing street’.”

“The girls were groomed, not a lot of weaves, a bit of shades, hair not natural, a bit of eighties’  retro look – stretch belts, off the shoulder wear, big glasses, 80s hats – short back and sides … all a variation of that.

“The attitude was that these streets are ours – it was quite cool.  A lot of artists have been jamming here and this has drawn their fans and friends and followers, peeps who want to hear nice exciting music that they identify with.”

“It’s a huge statement for the festival. It’s the young Jo’burgers, who can afford to follow this lifestyle.

“This festival, more than previous, has seen a bit of a face-lift.”

“I liked it. It blurred the boundaries. It was festive.”

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