National Arts Festival

The National Arts Festival is a must-see annual event held in Makhanda, South Africa. As the largest arts festival on the African continent and one of the biggest in the world, it draws a substantial crowd of visitors from far and wide. The festival typically runs for 11 days, spanning from the last week of June to the first week of July.

This vibrant event features a packed schedule with both a Main programme and a Fringe festival. Attendees will find a diverse array of performing arts, visual art exhibitions, films, talks, workshops, food and craft fairs, and even historical tours. It is a melting pot of creativity and culture that attracts both local and international visitors, providing a significant boost to the local economy.

The National Arts Festival has a rich history, dating back over 180 years, with its first official event held in 1974. Over the years, it has expanded to include several subsidiary events such as Think Fest, Spiritfest, Wordfest, the National Youth Jazz Festival, Fingo Festival, Creativate Digital Arts Festival, and the National Schools Festival.

Awards are a major highlight of the festival. The Young Artist Awards, sponsored by Standard Bank, recognize emerging South African talent, offering them a platform to shine. The Fringe awards, known as the Standard Bank Ovation Awards, celebrate excellence in Fringe productions.

The festival also features a Featured Artist Programme that honors established artists who have significantly contributed to South Africa's national discourse on race, class, or gender. The event has grown tremendously since its early days, now offering an ever-expanding number of events and performances.

Social responsibility is a key focus, with initiatives such as the Hands On! Masks Off! program, Remix Laboratory, Art Factory, ArtsReach Program, and Arts Encounter Project. These programs aim to support and empower local artists and communities. For convenience, the festival publishes a yearly booking kit and offers online booking through its website and mobile app.

The festival is managed by a dedicated team, with Nobesuthu Rayi serving as the Executive Producer and Rucera Seethal as the Artistic Director. It has also established international partnerships, being a member of the World Fringe Alliance and the African Festival Network. These collaborations with foreign embassies and presenting institutions help to bring international works to the festival.