Mapungubwe Arts Festival promises top acts

POLOKWANE  – ACCORDING to the MEC for sport, arts and culture, Nandi Ndalane, this year’s Mapungubwe Arts Festival would be the best yet.

Ndalane spoke at the launch of the festival last Tuesday and said local artists from Limpopo would make up 80% of the line-up of both the Gospel and Jazz Festival that would take place during the Mapungubwe Arts Festival.

The MEC said these artists were handpicked from all five districts of Limpopo and included well-known acts like Joe Shirimana, Colbert Mukwevho, Mopedi, Solly Mahlangu ,Worship House and Nkele Mphahlele.

She explained the programme for the festival.

“The Mapungubwe Arts Festival will open with a carnival parade in Polokwane on December 5. On December 6 a top-class gospel concert will take place at the Polokwane Cricket Grounds.

“On December 13, we will conclude the festival with a massive jazz and heritage concert with internationally acclaimed acts like Hugh Masekela, Salif Keita, Thomas Chauke and Jimmy Dludlu in the line-up,” she said.

Ndalane encouraged South Africans to attend the Mapungubwe Arts Festival and to come and see the beauty of Limpopo first-hand.

“Events like this festival positively contribute towards improving the economic growth of the region through tourism and job creation.”

T. Musicman, a company that successfully organised other national festivals, would be in charge of the Mapungubwe Arts Festival.

Founder of T. Musicman, Peter Tladi, said he would like to encourage people to bring their children to the festival, because he wanted to educate the next generation about the importance of culture and South African music.

“We give local artists a platform to collaborate with international stars to learn from the more experienced artists,” he said.