Abigail Visagie

After years of failed attempts and tender disputes, Free State Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae brings back the Mangaung African Cultural Festival (MACUFE) which is officially scheduled for 3 to 7 September 2025.

This was announced during the Free State Government on Executive Council meeting (EXCO) meeting that took place on Thursday. 

This revelation follows a lengthy legal battle with businessman and owner of events company C-Squared, Ben Moseme. 

C- squared was vindicated in May 2023 by Judge van Rhyn in the Bloemfontein High Court and ordered the former MEC of sports, arts and culture, Limakatso Mahasa,  to pay the legal costs and the amount owed of R3 344 335.84 with interest since the day of default.

The festival, being the pride and joy of the Free State last took place in 2019 before COVID-19 struck.

The last festival was hosted under the leadership of the former premier, Sisi Ntombela who pledged in her state of the province address in 2019 that the cultural event connects various races, genders, cultures, and religions in the drive to instill social cohesion in the Free State province, and alas, the event featured world class performances by the late village pope, Tshepo Tshola, Lady Zamar, Sjava and international star, Deborah Cox.

In the absence of MACUFE, Free State witnessed the rise of Lemo Fest and CUFA Fest.

MACUFE is a Free State government-owned initiative while CUFA Fest is owned by Moseme and Lemofest by local businessman Freddy Kenny.

The reigning MEC of Sports, Arts and Culture, Ntombizanele Beauty Sifuba mentioned in her budget vote speech this year that the MACUFE will be implemented in collaboration with the private sector.