The 2024 Mandela Bay Arts Festival, which opened on 16 February, got off to a strong start on its first weekend with spontaneous ticket buyers boosting audience numbers and lending to the festive atmosphere across theatres and Festival venues. Saturday’s sold-out Festival Garden Party with Mandisi Dyantyis, Skank and the Roots and Khanyisa Bunu set the buzz for a weekend of magic, music, fire shows and more.
Monica Newton, CEO of the National Arts Festival which is implementing the Mandela Bay Arts Festival in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, shared that they were encouraged to see growing support for the Festival from both artists and audiences. “The idea behind the Festival is that local talent is given a platform to perform and come together as a community of artists. There is a great atmosphere backstage and front of house and, while some shows have shone out this past weekend, in terms of critical acclaim and sales, this has also been an opportunity for new talents to debut work and collaborate with others.”
Conceived by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, Mayoral Committee for Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Bassie Kamana said the Festival has raised the bar. “From where we come from, the stakes are high. The delivery of artists, both international and local is unmatched, and the response of the people is good. What we have seen for the past four days, clearly shows that the investment we have put in as the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality is worth it.”
The Festival continues throughout the week and into the weekend with daily shows that run from morning until evening. For foundation phase students, Amabali Akhayo on the mornings of 21 and 22 February at Mendi Centre explores the idea of growing up outside the norms while protecting your individuality. Performed largely in isiXhosa, it is directed by Bay dancer and choreographer Nomhle Qambata.
Ukunyangwa Kwetyala is a collection of photographs by Vuyo Giba, documenting the musicians, theatre practitioners and creatives of Gqeberha and neighbouring cities to bridge gaps of age and genre. Housed at the Athenaeum, a panel discussion linked to the exhibition will take place there on 20 February from 5pm to 6.30pm. Patrick Pasha, Chester Summerton, NeAhtyah Mbuyazwe and Vuyo Giba will share the knowledge and experience they’ve gathered in becoming professional artists, and explore the possibilities of partnerships and collaborations.
Seasoned artist, actor, writer, and director Mongezi Ncwadi will present Amathambo Ayashukuma on 21 February, 107 years to the day of the sinking of the SS Mendi.
Translated as ‘The Bones are Shaking,’ it’s a poignant theatre piece about the ship’s tragic sinking and delves into the often-overlooked story of the wives and children left behind. Performed again at 4pm on 22 February at the Mendi Arts Centre, it is an important story to share with older children.
The New Dawn Store is also a story that traces the tragic echoes of South African history. A gripping protest play, it tells the story of a 30-year-old man whose family was forcibly removed from their land during historical forced removals. Seeking reclamation and justice for his family, his choices stir up questions as the plot unfolds. It runs on 21, 23 and 24 February at the Athenaeum Little Theatre.
Fantastic dance shows are also ahead. On 23 and 24 February, Heartbeat of Africa combines hip-hop and contemporary dance at the Savoy Theatre to present an energising production for the whole family. At Mendi Centre, 13 traditional dancers (some as young as six) from the Amavukhane Bhaca Traditional Dancers will perform invigorating concerts on 23 and 25 February. Through dance, Umzila, Ikusasa Arts weaves a myth-like story of a traditional family curse on 21, 22 and 24 February at The Savoy Theatre.
Uvuko Lwethongo, translated as the “Awakening of a Dream”, is a multidisciplinary production deeply rooted in artist Dongadala Bemdiliza’s inspiration from his dreams. This poetry production features elements of music – including percussion, keyboard and vocals on 22 and 24 February at the Athenaeum Little Theatre.
Another poet to look out for is Thobeka Kenene who performs Nobenguni Rises accompanied by an African harp and keyboard on 24th February at the Athenaeum Little Theatre.
More poetry is in store with Sista Kwalo and the Band in a performance that blends isiXhosa indigenous sound with jazz and spoken word at Mendi Centre on 21 and 24 February. Tackling uncomfortable social issues and building conversations during the performance, Sista Kwalo’s stories resonate long after the show ends.
Ndim Ingoma combines the traditions of African folk music with soulful, energetic, and hypnotic rhythms. An invitation to feel, connect and heal, audiences will lose themselves in Sibu G’s soulful music on 23 February at One Room.
A long-awaited performance by Siya Nondlwana will take place at One Room at the Mandela Bay Arts Festival on 24 February. Siya will be performing with his band and guest artists Joliza, Scott Msizi and Ukhanye.
On 23 and 24 February at the Black Box Theatre, Happy Hour Season 2 sees four Gqeberha comedians performing a 30-minute routine each. Presented under the Stand-Up People Culture label created by Mbulelo Msongelwa, this is a great way to meet and hear some new comedic voices on the scene.
Award-winning playwright Simphiwe Vikilahle presents Meeting of the Pigs; a tense play set in the farmlands of Alice where machinery being used to remove vegetation suddenly reveals the dangerous animals within. Book tickets for this show at the Mendi Arts Centre on the 24 and 25 February.
Two more Festival Garden Party events on 23 February (Zain SA, MissJay, Thembi Mona and Despatch duo King Jade & Baby Joe) and 24 February (with Simphiwe Dana, Bella Belato and Siya Seya) are likely to sell out ahead of their show dates.
Still more is in store as the Festival runs towards its closing date on 25 February. To see the programme and book tickets, visit www.mbaf.co.za
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