Mbombela Jazz Festival to grace Mbombela, Nkomazi and eMalahleni
"We need to have events that will get visitors into our province and stay here, it will help boost our economy." This was said by Johannes Nobunga, CEO of the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA), during the launch of the fourth Annual Mbombela Jazz Festival
“We need to have events that will get visitors into our province and stay here, it will help boost our economy.”
This was said by Johannes Nobunga, CEO of the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA), during the launch of the fourth Annual Mbombela Jazz Festival on Friday night at Casterbridge Hollow Boutique Hotel. The jazz festival is scheduled to take place in October 2021.
In his speech he reminisced on how the previous events were a great success and he added that even with the regulations the show can still go on.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has had a devastating effect on the tourism sector in Mpumalanga with a number of events either cancelled or postponed. Our marketing efforts are aimed at promoting tourism and encouraging our visitors to explore the various tourism offerings in the province.”
Due to the Covid-19 and the current lockdowns regulations in place, this year’s Mbombela Jazz Festival edition will be staged in City of Mbombela, Nkomazi and eMalahleni.
The exact dates are yet to be confirmed.
“We are confident that with the event being hosted in the different municipalities, we will be able to have an intimate event in compliance with the Covid-19 regulations. The instalment of this annual event will boost the economy of the province, create temporary employment and further provide growth opportunities that will be available for small businesses,” he explained.
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According to Nobunga, the MTPA, together with tourism stakeholders in the province, continues to work together to revive the tourism sector and encourage people to continue to travel even during the times of Covid-19.
Still guided by its pay-off line, ‘The music, The people, The experience’, the 2021 Annual Mbombela Jazz Festival will be rolled out from October 14 to December 11.
The organisers of the annual music event are promising a great show and audiences are expected to descend on the province from beyond the borders of Mpumalanga and even South Africa.
The festival further promises to continue to provide a world-class programme to its solid patrons who have grown astronomically in numbers over the years.
Music lovers can expect the likes of Thandiswa Mazwai, Lira and Mafikizolo.
These artists will be sharing the stage with the local artists like Indlovukazi, Afrotraction, Blulamp and many more.
This edition will again feature the Mpumalanga Pro-Am Golf Tournament, which is sanctioned by the Sunshine Tour. This tournament will feature more than 20 professional golf players.
Anele Mbasane, CEO of Harmocept, said, “We appreciate the support we have received in the past years, there were some sponsors that came and left although MTPA continued supporting this festival.
“We are excited to introduce the new gospel and water sports segment for the first time this year. For the revival of the soul, the following gospel singers will be featured, Solly Mahlangu, Bishop Benjamin Dube as well as Mpumalanga’s own gospel artists. We always ensure that we strive to provide an appealing programme that will entice a wide range of audiences.”
The water sports will take place at Driekoppies Dam in Nkomazi.
