2000 and Potsoyin'
By: Uhuru Plaatjies
Potsoyi: noun, verb.
-
Slang for party; a social gathering for (un)invited guests.
"Hey bru, I was invited to this amazing potsoyi last night."
-
Enjoying one’s self at a party or any other gathering
"I got your missed call but I was too busy potsoying."
There are thousands of definitions for this word it has lately become a brand: something that has changed Cape Town in just a few months. Ipotsoyi is the new way of partying it up. It started out as just a simple party from Groove Afrika, a house duo consisting of Don Pedro and Ma Groovana, who have also grown synonymous with hosting some of Cape Town’s most celebrated urban events. The duo is well known for upholding the idea that ‘Afrika is the future’. The two have taken over Cape Town with their show-stopping mixes and their amazing parties. This particular event was definitely one for the books as over 3000 ‘potsoyers’ attended! So far, it is the hottest (literally, it was 35 degrees Celsius) party Cape Town has seen this year!
“The name came from just interacting with people and hearing this word being used by our peers. We felt that it was a unique and distinctively African term that represented the youth.” The duo tells us. “We branded it and used it as an extension of ‘Groove Afrika’ as we felt that it directly correlated with us and what we are about as DJs and event organisers.”
It started out as a simple party around winter (August to be exact). The Groove Kings decided to give Cape Town something that was a little different: a free party! This not only had people talking but it got them going! If only they knew then that this was the start of something big. Soon afterwards, they hosted another Potsoyi, also free, and when they realised how big the turnout was, they decided on making this a brand that would have everyone interested. Groove Afrika's parties have always been on point, but this one was by far their most hyped-up and fullest yet.
They not only did the usual hash-tagging on Twitter, but they took this to the streets, got themselves a street team to shout out on various campuses in the city and also invaded Facebook. The response was great but, of course, what party doesn't get a good response online? One has to actually see on the day if it would be full and actually live up to the amazing hype. There were six dance floors, 24 amazing DJs, a great venue and of course the whole street for them to party in! Yes, it was a street bash!
The day after the event was when everyone voiced their responses to the party. Some moped around for missing the event while others passed out before the event even started! People came from outside the Western Cape to experience the amazing Cape Town nightlife and their responses were the same as the regulars. Although it was extremely hot, the cool kids all came out and enjoyed themselves. DJ pH was one of the highlights of the people's night one of his many amazing mixes. Another DJ that trended on Twitter the night after was AudioJerk, whose set seemed to be another big one. Of course, how could I forget mentioning Groove Afrika? Their set was, as usual, hot as Hell. I'd go on about the other DJ’s but that is all for you to check out with the hashtag #IpotsoyiStreetBash on Twitter.
The day after the event was when everyone voiced their responses to the party. Some moped around for missing the event while others passed out before the event even started! People came from outside the Western Cape to experience the amazing Cape Town nightlife and their responses were the same as the regulars. Although it was extremely hot, the cool kids all came out and enjoyed themselves. DJ pH was one of the highlights of the people's night one of his many amazing mixes. Another DJ that trended on Twitter the night after was AudioJerk, whose set seemed to be another big one. Of course, how could I forget mentioning Groove Afrika? Their set was, as usual, hot as Hell. I'd go on about the other DJ’s but that is all for you to check out with the hashtag #IpotsoyiStreetBash on Twitter.
I'm pretty sure this is not the end of the Ipostoyi series. When we asked the duo about future plans, all we seemed to get was a simple, “I do not want to say much, but let’s just say iPotsoyi is here to stay. Just stay tuned…”
It’s now a brand: something that people will constantly go to and enjoy! Ipotsoyi is a bit of a game changer, and with every party that Groove Afrika gives us, they'll have to make it hotter than the one before. We wish them luck on that and wish for many more drunken nights on the dance floors! Here's to Potsoyin'.
