Rip-roaring Innibos!

Thousands of visitors are descending on the city this week, as the 14th Innibos National Arts Festival takes the Lowveld by storm.

July 7, 2017

Philippa Francis 1 minute read

MBOMBELA – The organisers have once again gone above and beyond to make sure South Africans’ favourite festival is new, and even better than last year.

The festival kicked off with the Art-in-Movement parade that brought the city’s traffic to a halt on Wednesday morning. The city centre was awash with colour as the parade marked Innibos’ start. It was even bigger and better, with more participating paraders marching under the theme, Making Magic with Paper.

The excitement was palpable, as more than 800 people representing 40 groups ranging from companies and NGOs to various faith groups and dance troupes, made their way along Andrew Street to Lowveld High School’s sports field.

All along the route, members of the public gathered to take photos and videos of the spectacle, with some looking down from their company balconies. Traffic was halted at some stages, but drivers hardly seemed perturbed and waved at the participants and photographers while waiting to carry on their way.

Residents and business owners were treated to a range of dance routines by groups such as the Nomcebo drum majorettes and gumboot dancers.

Even the festival car guards joined in the dancing and singing.

Purple Lime Balloon Decor’s Megan Coetser designed intricate balloon dresses in four different colours which had onlookers fascinated, and kept photographers and the dress models busy at the end point of the parade. “Each dress took about two hours to make. You weave the balloons together like you would weave a basket,” Coetser said.

Organisations created magnificent floats and decorations for the big day, with Sappi’s replica of their Ngodwana Mill wowing participants and organisers alike. The company went home with the trophy for the most-creative float.

Danie Jacobs, maintenance manager of Sappi, said the construction of the float was a team effort. “A group of more than 20 people contributed to the project, which we started two weeks ago. It has been excellent for team spirit, because many different sections worked together towards a common goal. You can see how excited everyone is to have taken part,” he said.

The participants’ enthusiasm left parade organiser Mariolise le Roux speechless. “Innibos has gone to the next level this year. We are all very excited to kick the festival off in this way,” Le Roux told Lowvelder.

Innibos marketing manager, Sandra Jacobs agreed that the festival would be outstanding. Festivalgoers apparently agreed from the outset. Jacobs said the first concert on the main stage on Wednesday night drew a larger crowd than the year before. Over 400 more people than last year, attended the opening night. A total of 13 090 people visited the festival grounds on Wednesday.

Read about last year’s event: All set for the Innibos Culture Carnival Parade