Rio’s ‘Queen of the Drums’ bringing samba magic to Cape Town Carnival 2025
This year’s Cape Town Carnival will be getting a sprinkling of samba magic with the guest appearance of Brazilian star Erika Januza.
The annual extravaganza will return on 15 March 2025, and to celebrate its 15th anniversary, it will feature Rio’s Queen of the Drums, Erika Januza. Januza will bring an international flair from the world’s biggest carnival and form part of the parade that will take place on the Green Point Fan Walk.
Januza is no stranger to Carnivals, having starred throughout the years at the Rio Carnival. She holds the Queen of the Drums position at the Viradouro Samba School, which won the 2024 Rio Carnival. The drum queen is a highly coveted position bestowed to one of the most talented female dancers in a samba school. They are expected to lead the school’s drum section and set the rhythm for the parade.
The 2024 performance, which led to the school’s third title, aimed to highlight Brazil’s historic ties with Benin, as many people who were taken to Brazil as slaves were from Benin. The performance primarily featured snakes in the form of floats and dancers’ headgear, as it aimed to honour the cobra, which is considered sacred in parts of the African nation.
Januza said:
“Cape Town, I’m coming, and I’m bringing the spirit of Rio with me alongside my energy as Queen of the Drums. I am so excited as I know how important this celebration is to you, and it is just as special for me, even from afar. Experiencing it up close will be an honour, and I look forward to sharing, learning, and celebrating with you. So Cape Town, get ready because in March, here I come!”
Alongside her carnival duties, Januza is also an actress and model with over 10 years of experience in the entertainment industry. She has appeared in several Brazilian and international films and television series. This includes her role in the Disney+ series A Magia de Aruna, where she plays Latifa, the first Black Brazilian witch in Disney’s history. She has also starred in renowned telenovelas such as Em Família, Totalmente Demais, Sol Nascente, O Outro Lado do Paraíso, Verdades Secretas 2, and Amor de Mãe.
Entry to the event is free but tickets will also be available for seats in strategically placed stands along the parade route. Tickets for Cape Town Carnival seats are on sale on Quicket. For more information visit the website.
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Sponsors and Partners of the programmes and event:
City of Cape Town, Multichoice and DStv, National Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, National Lotteries Commission, Media24 including News24 & Netwerk24, Western Cape Government Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport and the Premier’s Office, Kfm94.5, Southern Sun, People’s Post, Tygerburger and City Vision, Tractor, Media24 Lifestyle: Huisgenoot, You, Kuier, Drum and Via, Wesgro, Okushal Beyond Cordial, Coca Cola Peninsula Beverages, City Sightseeing South Africa
