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MBAF’s First Simagalise Competition Hits the Igwijo High Notes

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Eight lively groups, with over 110 contestants, assembled at the Mendi Centre in New Brighton, Gqeberha on Monday 24 February for the Simagalise Igwijo edition. A first for the city, the competition which was open to residents of Nelson Mandela Bay, was part of the Mandela Bay Arts Festival which is currently on until 2 March. Igwijo is a South African tradition of emotive communal singing, deeply rooted in Xhosa culture and other indigenous traditions.

The young competitors (aged between 15 and 21 years) were in for a surprise when the judges turned out to be none other than the band members of The Soil, who were in town to perform at the Mandela Bay Arts Festival. The judges also took to the stage to perform a short, inspirational set before announcing that the top prize was going to Izzy Fam, a 20-piece a cappella collective recently formed from the vibrant townships of Gqeberha, including KwaZakhele, New Brighton and Siyisi.

In second place was MING from New Brighton, an established group of fifteen that was very popular with the crowd and who are known for their fashion flair. Third place went to Mayuyu’s Finest whose amagwijo mixes poetry with hints of scathamiya for a fresh sound.

Jubilant first place Igwijo Competition winners Izzy Fam at the Mandela Bay Arts Festival on 24 February 2025. Image Ulonwabo Images

Commenting on the first weekend of the Festival, Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Executive Mayor, Babalwa Lobishe, said “The launch of the Mandela Bay Arts Festival (MBAF) this weekend marks a transformative moment for Nelson Mandela Bay as we reaffirm our commitment to nurturing creativity, empowering artists, and positioning our city as a vibrant cultural hub. This festival is more than just a celebration of the arts—it is a platform for emerging and established talent to showcase their work, tell their stories, and inspire communities. Through MBAF, we are investing in the creative economy, driving cultural tourism, and ensuring that the arts remain a powerful force for social change and economic growth. Nelson Mandela Bay is a city rich in artistic excellence, and this festival will amplify that legacy for generations to come.”

MING were the second place winners in the Igwijo Competition at the Mandela Bay Arts Festival on 24 February 2025. Image Ulonwabo Images

Speaking to the audience of young singers and their supporters, The Soil’s lead singer, Ntsika Ngxanga, encouraged them to not think of igwijo just as a time of childhood. He called on them to ‘keep singing from a place of purity’. Vocalist Theo Matshoba, who hails from the Eastern Cape, motivated the contestants to ‘keep going, keep dreaming’ and to keep putting themselves out there.

The Soil were the judges of the Simagalise Igwijo Competition at the Mandela Bay Arts Festival, image Ulonwabo Images

The trophies were awarded to the winners by the Nelson Mandela Bay MMC for Sport, Arts and Culture, Cllr Bongekile Mankahla. Each winning group also took home prize money of R5000 (first place), R3000 (second place) and R2000 for third place.

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