Under the theme “Back to our African heart and soul”, the launch on Friday (1/8) was a promise of revival and renewal for the Free State province. 

Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae emphasised the importance of the festival, scheduled for 3 to 7 September, to the community. “The people of the Free State deserve better,” she said, highlighting the event’s commitment to uplifting local talent and supporting the arts.

The festival would awaken the joyous spirit of the province and once again serve as the launch pad for local talent to flourish, she added.

Letsoha-Mathae emphasised several local achievements, including the Youth Expo in Botshabelo and the success of Unathi Ndonga, who won the South African Schools Choral Eisteddfod (Sasce) National Choral Awards.

This showed that the Free State is a hub of creativity. “Our province has talent, and it is our responsibility to guide these young people to fulfil their mission,” Letsoha-Mathae said, underscoring the government’s role in nurturing the next generation of artists.

Artists performing at the launch. Photo: Refilwe Bekane

Sport, arts, culture and recreation MEC Ntombizanele Sifuba outlined the strategic objectives for Macufe’s return, focusing on a multi-pronged approach to economic and cultural development. The goals are:

• to develop and nurture artists within the Free State;
• to create a platform for local artists to showcase their talent on a larger stage;
• to position the Free State as a tourism destination of choice, using arts and culture as a vehicle to attract visitors; and
• to create jobs and boost the economy, ensuring that the festival has a lasting, positive impact on the province.

By focusing on these objectives, Macufe aims to be more than just a festival; it seeks to be a cornerstone for local artists and a major driver of economic growth for the entire Free State, said Sifuba.

The festival was cancelled in 2023 and 2024, despite being legally cleared following disputes over the 2022 event’s tender process.

OFM News/Refilwe Bekane cvs