Mzansi Theatre Review makes its National Arts Festival debut

Izithukuthuku performance: Picture: Zivanai Matangi.



Mzansi Theatre Review has officially landed at the 51st National Arts Festival in Makhanda, Eastern Cape. Day one proceeded without a hitch, setting the tone for an unforgettable experience.


After a two-hour flight from Jozi, we touched down at Gqeberha's Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport, followed by a scenic one-and-a-half-hour drive to Makhanda.


Known as the cultural hub, Makhanda is already buzzing with excitement as musicians, comedians, dancers, theatre makers, visual artists, and art lovers from across the country and the continent start flocking into this historic town for South Africa’s most anticipated annual celebration of African creativity and storytelling.


We will be here for the first half of the eleven-day cultural extravaganza, and we’re more than ready to soak it all in. We made our first stop at the iconic 1820 Settlers National Monument, referred to as The Monument. Then it was off to The Long Table, a much-loved pop-up restaurant and bar that springs to life every Festival season. There, we enjoyed a delicious spread of local and pan-African cuisine, from rich West African peanut soup served with homemade bread to creamy spinach lasagne, spicy lamb curry, and succulent roast pork belly with rosemary sauce.


As we gear up for Day Two, here’s a look at some of the must-see highlights for the weekend ahead.

The first weekend promises a jam-packed programme of performances and premieres. Two 2025 Standard Bank Young Artists will debut their latest works:


Modise Sekgothe, the Standard Bank Young Artist for Poetry, presents Gabo Legwala: Tales of Fatherless Sons.


“The work assesses the rites of passage in the life of a young South African man growing up without a father figure,” says Sekgothe.


“It interrogates the wounds masculinity carries and asks: What does it mean to be a man? What has been lost in the absence of positive male role models? And what does healing look like?”


Modise Sekgothe, the Standard Bank Young Artist for Poetry. Picture: Supplied


Nyakallo Maleke, the Standard Bank Young Artist for Visual Art, unveils her new exhibition, To teach in ways that teach us to care for the soul.

"Usually when I create, it's the space where I feel the safest...I feel free, " says Maleke.

"I think everybody is capable of being creative... It's about trusting that random idea that you think about intuitively to solve a problem."


Also premiering this weekend is Vakawiga (Burials/They Were Buried) by National Playwright Campbell Meas, with dramaturgy by Mwenya Kabwe. The production thoughtfully explores the complex boundaries between duty, loyalty, and truth.


Other standout productions making their debut on the Curated Programme include:

  • SALT (Dance)

  • Credo (Music)

  • Isithukutuku (Dance)

  • The Fugue of Tjebolang (Theatre)

  • The Island (Theatre)

  • Road (Dance)

  • Die een wat bly (Dance)


Meanwhile, the Fringe is buzzing with an eclectic mix of comedy, music, theatre, dance, and family-friendly entertainment; there’s truly something for everyone.


Can’t make it to Makhanda this year? No problem, the VFringe has you covered. Created during the 2020 lockdown, this digital extension of the Festival remains a vital platform, showcasing a diverse array of online performances and mini-documentaries. It’s a great way to experience the magic of the Festival from wherever you are.


The National Arts Festival is currently underway across various venues in Makhanda, Eastern Cape, and runs until July 6.

Check out the full programme at: www.nationalartsfestival.co.za. 

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