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 … [Read more...] about MBAF’s First Simagalise Competition Hits the Igwijo High Notes
MBAF
MBAF Shrugs Off Loadshedding
The Mandela Bay Arts Festival opened on 21 February with a bold and colourful celebration of local talent across different genres, backgrounds and themes. Even the surprise return of Stage 6 load shedding didn't stop the fun, as organisers kicked into a well-devised back-up plan to keep the lights on. Monica Newton, CEO of the National Arts Festival, who are the Festival's production partners, said the Mandela Bay Arts Festival was off to a great start despite the electricity setbacks, … [Read more...] about MBAF Shrugs Off Loadshedding
MBAF Shows List
The Mandela Bay Arts Festival (MBAF) is an initiative of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality to create a multidisciplinary art showcase for the Metro. A Festival of Performance, Poetry, Theatre, Comedy, Dance and Music and other disciplines aimed at both increasing opportunities for professionals working in the creative industries and building a destination festival which will attract residents of the city and visitors to the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro. The Festival is not a single … [Read more...] about MBAF Shows List
The 2025 Mandela Bay Arts Festival is officially here!
From 22 February to 2 March, Nelson Mandela Bay will come alive with a spectacular showcase of music, theatre, comedy, dance, poetry and more – and tickets are on sale now. Brought to audiences by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, and produced by the National Arts Festival, the Mandela Bay Arts Festival offers audiences a cultural feast of works while ticket sales benefit the artists in the Bay. According to Executive Mayor Babalwa Lobishe, "The Mandela Bay Arts Festival is not just … [Read more...] about The 2025 Mandela Bay Arts Festival is officially here!
The Soil and Amanda Black in Gqeberha for once-off concerts
The Mandela Bay Arts Festival (22 Feb-2 March 2025) is the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality's annual spotlight on the talented artists living and working in the area – from local stars to emerging talents; musicians, filmmakers, dancers, actors, poets, painters and more. To support and celebrate these local champions, The Soil and Amanda Black will each be performing a single concert during the Mandela Bay Arts Festival. Amanda Black will be on the Festival line-up at the 2025 Mandela Bay Arts … [Read more...] about The Soil and Amanda Black in Gqeberha for once-off concerts
Mandela Bay Arts Festival 2025
The Mandela Bay Arts Festival is back this summer; live on stages in the Bay stages from 22 February to 2 March 2025. A project of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, the event is managed by the National Arts Festival and gives the vibrant talent of the area a platform to perform and exhibit their works for visitors and residents of the city and surrounds. The artists who will be participating in the Mandela Bay Arts Festival have been announced after being selected from over 216 … [Read more...] about Mandela Bay Arts Festival 2025
