LIMPOPO – The much-anticipated annual Limpopo Marula Festival, the biggest event in Phalaborwa, is set to be bigger and better this year. The highlight of the festival, the open-air concert, will take place on Saturday, March 1, at the Impala Park Stadium from 15:00 to 06:00, promising a lineup of top-tier entertainment for music lovers.

Arrangements for the festival have already begun, with organisers inviting fans to suggest their favourite artists for the concert lineup.

Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba and Limpopo Economic Development, Environment, and Tourism (Ledet) MEC Tshitereke Matibe are expected to officially launch the event in the coming weeks.

The festival programme is packed with activities. A fun fair will be held at Field B of Impala Park Stadium from Friday, February 21, to Saturday, March 1. On February 21, a cultural parade will take place, starting at Wildevye Park and ending at Impala Park Stadium. The mayor’s welcome gala dinner is another highlight of the evening.

On Saturday, February 22, the annual PMC Family Half Marathon will kick off at Impala Park Stadium, drawing runners and spectators alike. Golf enthusiasts will have their turn on Saturday,

March 1, when the Ba-Phalaborwa Golf Club (formerly Hans Merensky Hotel and Golf Club) hosts the Sponsor’s Golf Day and a golf challenge.

The festival will conclude with a soulful end on Sunday, March 2, at the House of Jezebel, located at Foskor Community Hall in Namakgale, with a special soul session event.

Last year’s open-air concert was a massive success, featuring crowd favourites such as the Queen of Limpopo, Makhadzi, along with Henny C, Master KG, Amos, Dr Winnie Mashaba, Pleasure Tsa Manyalo, and local artists PHB Finest, Motlanalo, and DLS.

The night reached its peak when King Monada took to the stage just after 05:00, wrapping up his performance moments before 06:00.