Central SA
Macufe 2025 ‘a launch pad for emerging female, youth artists’─── REFILWE BEKANE 13:00 Mon, 04 Aug 2025
The relaunch of Macufe has sparked a renewed focus on its potential to empower women and youth, not just in the arts sector, but across the entire spectrum of the event.
Scheduled for 3 to 7 September, the festival’s commitment to creating a more inclusive and beneficial environment was one of the central themes of the discussions at its launch on Friday (1/8), when several speakers highlighted the various ways Macufe can serve as a motivation for positive change in the community.
Gender Commission head Deidre Schroeder underscored the significance of Women’s Month, urging attendees to use this time to celebrate and honour women.
She highlighted the importance of recognising the invaluable contributions of women in society and stressed that this month-long celebration should be a testament to their strength, resilience, and leadership.
Miss SA finalist Siyasanga Mamosa Mophete shared her vision for a future Macufe. She emphasised the potential of the festival to host a Miss Macufe pageant, which would be a “platform to embrace the mothers of Mangaung in all their diversity”.
‘Let it be a movement, a movement of women rising, of youth discovering purpose’
She stressed the importance of heritage education for the younger generation. “Let Macufe 2025 and this relaunch be more than just a festival. Let it be a movement, a movement of women rising, of youth discovering purpose, and of a province that is united in pride.”
The new vision for Macufe promises to create a platform that extends beyond the stage and into the heart of the community. By focusing on empowerment, heritage, and unity, the festival is poised to become a vital resource for women and youth, offering them opportunities for growth, self-discovery, and a sense of belonging, said Mophete.
