African Minstrels

The African Minstrels was a minstrels group active in Cape Town in circa 1862.

The company

Consisting of eight men under the leadership of Colour Sergeant Heaven, they are reported as having performed an Interlude during a performance of The Miller and His Men and A Kiss in the Dark by officers and men from the 11th Regiment in the Barracks Theatre, Cape Town on Tuesday 2 December 1862.

Though it is tempting to assume otherwise in this case, the rank of "Colour Sergeant" does not mean that Heaven was from an African corps of some kind, it is in fact a specific rank of non-commissioned officer found in several armies[1]. It is likely though that his cast of Minstrels consisted of ensigns under his care.

See also Minstrels