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…Amid growing cries to include 90% local artists in their line-ups
By JN Reporter
For years, festivals like the annual Mangaung African Cultural Festival (Macufe), LemoFest, and Cufa Fest have drawn massive crowds, offering vibrant celebrations of local culture, music, and art. Yet behind the bright lights and big-name headliners lies a glaring issue - the persistent sidelining of Free State artists.
Despite being marketed as platforms rooted in local community pride, cultural celebration and development, these Free State mega festivals have inversely been supporting artists, creatives and service providers from outside the province, thus blatantly leaving local musicians, dancers and entrepreneurs out in the cold.
Local artists themselves have also consistently raised concerns about their exclusion from these festivals, highlighting the plight of being neglected by the organisers of these big festivals. This travesty has forced many talented artists in the province to abandon their artistic talents and passions to take up odd salaried jobs to make a living.
Speaking anonymously to Journal News, for fear of reprisal, a well-known Free State singer told Journal News that while she welcomes the return of Macufe, she hopes the festival will finally prioritise local talent, calling for at least 90% of the line-up and resources to be dedicated to Free State people.
“I am hoping the current administration is serious about supporting and uplifting local talent.
“We have fought for this for years, but nothing has changed. We go all out to pay outsiders and headliners huge fees as a province, but we fail to build sustainable platforms for local artists to thrive,” she added.
The reason the artist spoke to the Journal News anonymously is deeply rooted in the fear of being blacklisted by the festivals’ organisers, as well as the relevant authorities in the province’s Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation (SACR).
She further called on government and event organisers to implement a bold 90% local content policy - like the one introduced by the SABC in 2016 - as a tangible commitment to promoting local talent and stimulating the province’s creative economy.
The SABC’s 90% local content policy, introduced to promote South African music and culture, received mixed reactions but remains in place despite leadership changes and erstwhile controversy.
This renewed call for local prioritisation comes after the announcement that Macufe will return in September 2025 – a month earlier than the festival’s renowned conventional October slot.
Macufe’s relaunch follows a rather lengthy blackout due to legal disputes between SACR and events company C-Squared, which is owned by Ben Moseme. C-Squared later retorted with the launch of Cufa Fest, which is now a clear rival festival.
Cufa Fest, as well as the Lemo Fest, both emerged during the long Macufe hiatus to fill the big void. Nevertheless, concerns that even these alternative festivals fail to adequately showcase Free State talent and support local businesses persist, including paying equal fees to local artists and those sourced from outside the province.
Earlier this week, the Free State branch of the South African Arts and Culture Youth Forum (SAACYF) expressed its frustration over the relaunch of Macufe and its apparent lack of inclusivity.
SAACYF provincial secretary Linda Ngqotwane criticised the festival’s planning process, particularly the unwarranted “invitation-only” criteria that applied for its launch event, which projects selectiveness.
“SAACYF Free State is disappointed to observe that the launch event appears to be invitation-only, raising serious concerns about the inclusivity and transparency of the festival's planning,” Ngqotwane said in a statement issued this past Wednesday.
“We are also concerned that the department continues to work with individual artists rather than engaging with established structures that represent the broader creative and cultural sector,” he added.
Ngqotwane further called on the provincial department and the custodians of Macufe to reconsider their approach, urging that the festival’s planning and implementation be “transparent, inclusive, and representative of the broader arts and culture community.”
As Macufe gears up for its 2025 edition, many artists and cultural organisations are watching closely, hoping for more than just performances but for a real shift in how local talent is valued and supported in their province.
While many assume that being a renowned musician comes with a glamorous lifestyle, this is often far from the truth. Various reports over the years have shown that a significant number of artists across the country live and subsequently die as paupers.
Among them was multi-award-winning jazz legend and songwriter Peter Nthwane, who tragically passed away in November 2016 after being shot twice. Nthwane took his final breath in poverty, according to another Journal News source that wished to remain unknown.
“The list is endless… many of our artists and role models, like Nthwane, have died with nothing to show for their years of hard work and passion. Others are still with us but are no longer remembered because they left the industry in search of stable employment,” said the source.
A prime example in this regard would be the once-popular, award-winning Bloemfontein Afro-pop group, Kaya - best known for hits like Kunzima and Avulekile Amasango.
Despite winning a Metro FM Award in 2013, it has been reported that group member Mpho Entle was obliged to leave the group due to financial difficulties. She’s now self-employed.
Central Music Awards chairman Lehlohonolo Mokoena urged Macufe and private festival organisers to adopt formal structures in their artist selection processes. Mokoena is also a member of Alah-Yen - another popular music group from the Free State capital.
Although the suggested 90% local artists demand is thoughtful, Mokoena concedes that festivals like Macufe cannot thrive on this recommended prerequisite.
“We must be honest. Both local government and organisers are seeking a return on investment when allocating budgets and planning events. A line-up made up entirely of local acts simply won’t deliver that,” he explained.
“Even though Macufe is a government-sponsored event, it should not be treated like a charity project. To succeed, it (Macufe) needs headlining, crowd-pulling artists,” Mokoena added.
SACR MEC Zanele Sifuba said this year’s focus of the Macufe programme will be on arts and culture-related activities.
“Guided by the theme ‘Back to our African Heart and Soul’, the central focus of the recalibrated Macufe programme will be on arts and culture-related activities.
“Reverting to its original concept, the festival will therefore elevate the African cultural heritage as a pivot around which our existence should revolve as Africans, and in line with the mandate of the Department of Nation-Building and Social Cohesion,” said Sifuba.
Macufe is set to launch on August 1st at the Wesleyan Church in Waaihoek, Bloemfontein, and will officially run from September 3rd to 7th, 2025.
By Boipelo Mere
President Cyril Ramaphosa has officially announced plans to set up a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in the Northern Cape, given the province’s rich mineral resources.
Ramaphosa announced on Friday in the province’s capital of Kimberley, following closed-door engagements with government national executives as well as the Northern Cape provincial government’s executive and mayors at the Sol Plaatje University.
“This province is the linchpin of moving the entire process of industrialisation and the manufacturing folds,” Ramaphosa said after the negotiation.
“This is a province that is on the move. It has a great deal of promise; it has a great future with regards to skills development, where we are also going to develop the skills of young people,” he added.
The president declared the engagements with the province’s leaders as ‘a perfect day in the office, adding that Northern Cape Premier Zamani Saul and his executive made very impressive presentations. Saul sold the Northern Cape’s vision to resuscitate the province’s economy through special projects very well, according to the president.
Ramaphosa highlighted the Northern Cape’s unmatched levels of radiation as a unique feature that could potentially catapult the province to the peak of industrialisation in South Africa. He also lauded the province for being at the forefront of the clean energy revolution and attracting more renewable energy investments, notably in solar and green hydrogen fields.
“The province's Green Hydrogen Masterplan is ambitious in both scope and potential benefits – not just for the Northern Cape but for the national economy, for the SADC region, for the continent and globally,” he said.
While optimistic, the president also highlighted a few challenges that hamper progress in the Northern Cape. These include access to municipal services and infrastructure maintenance, amongst others.
“Besides the strides being made in the energy sector, we note that the province is working to become an industrial hub. This is supported by traditional industries like mining, but is being expanded through special economic zone development, industrial park development and major infrastructure developments, notably in port and rail.”
“Fiscal constraints are, however, holding back several projects, particularly at a municipal level, including for disaster response, asbestos eradication, land restitution, rural electrification and public housing,” added the president.
The meeting with the Northern Cape was the president’s sixth formal engagement with provinces. He has previously met with government executives in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, and the Eastern Cape.
The engagements are aimed at strengthening cooperative governance in provinces while breaking down silos for greater cooperative project planning and collaborative execution.
By Abigail Visagie
Former Patriotic Alliance Deputy President, Kenny Kunene, has resigned with immediate effect as the MMC for Roads and Transport for City Johannesburg.
This comes after he was suspended by the party’s president who is also Minister of Sport Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie on allegations that link him to accused murderer of the Oupa “DJ Sumbody” Sefoka.
Kunene was found in Katiso ‘Kat’ Molefe’s home during a police raid last week. Molefe is one of four arrested suspects in Sefokas murder case.
In his media statement Kunene said, I am stepping aside from public life, for a period, while my party satisfies itself to certain allegations that have been raised against me, which are unfounded, but I have nevertheless agreed it would be in the public interest for me to await the clearing of my name before considering a return to public service and duty, he said.
Kunene also resigned as Proportional Representative Councillor of the PA.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) will today, July 26, mark their 12th anniversary with a major rally in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, under the theme “Festival of the Poor.”
The celebration was initially scheduled for Mthatha in the Eastern Cape but was relocated following devastating floods in the region.
EFF leadership, together with King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo, visited the flood-affected communities of Phola Park, Dekolweni, and Bambanani, offering relief and engaging directly with residents.
“This is how leadership must respond in times of crisis—not through press releases, but by physically being present with the people,” the party said.
The anniversary rally will be held at the same venue where the ANC gave its January 8th Statement earlier this year, showing the EFF’s growing influence in traditional ANC areas.
While the Western Cape remains dominated by the DA, the EFF will use this event to spotlight the ongoing racial and spatial inequalities affecting the province’s communities..
A custom-built 10,000-capacity dome in Khayelitsha will host the celebration, which the EFF says includes essential amenities and is ready to accommodate thousands of Fighters, supporters, and community members from Site B, Site C, TR Section, Nyanga, Gugulethu, Delft, and Belhar.
“This will not just be an event—it will be a Festival of the Poor, a moment to reflect on 12 years of struggle, survival, growth, and victories,” the party added.
“The chosen venue of Khayelitsha is significant,” said EFF spokesperson Sinawo Thambo.
“It is the second-largest township in South Africa, home to thousands of poor and working-class Africans who continue to live under the weight of spatial apartheid and deliberate underdevelopment.”
Thambo also highlighted the importance of aligning the celebration with the party’s grassroots base.
“We must be where the people are, especially the most marginalised, because they are the base, home, and shield of this movement.”
The EFF is using this milestone not only to celebrate its past but also to project its growing political footprint.
Despite what the party calls a deliberate attempt to weaken radical voices through billionaire-backed splinter parties in the 2024 elections, Thambo said the EFF “remains standing” with strong internal structures and disciplined leadership.
“We are not a spaza shop, owned by a family, run from a laptop, or directed from the back seat of a luxury vehicle.”
A diverse musical lineup will entertain supporters throughout the day, with artists including Zee Nxumalo, Alaska, Big Zulu, Daliwonga, Big Nuz, Leemckrazy, Tshidi Malaika, Mindo The Vocalist, Themeka, DJ Boon, Nkosazana Daughter, Sfiso S, Jumbo, Nosipho Siko, Isibane Se Afrika, DJ Milalati, Lusanda Beja, DJ Kaunda, Dee Koala, Mr Thela, Mshayi, DJ Fire, Ta Bravo, DJ Prince, Lutho SA, Mpumi, Zintle Kwaaiman, and Ziggy.
The event will be hosted by Zuki Lamani and Prince MC.
*This article was first published by IOL NEWS
The Constitutional Court will hear an urgent application on Wednesday brought by the MK Party, challenging President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to place the Minister of Police on special leave instead of dismissing him.
The party is seeking a declaration that the President’s decision is invalid and unconstitutional.Ramaphosa has appointed Professor Firoz Cachalia as acting minister.
The application also seeks to overturn Ramaphosa’s decision to establish a judicial commission of inquiry, chaired by Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga.
The inquiry will investigate explosive allegations of high-level criminal collusion involving senior law enforcement officials and members of the judiciary.
The legal battle comes in the wake of startling claims made by KZN Police Commissioner Lt-Gen. Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who alleged that senior government officials—including Mchunu—as well as various law enforcement bodies and judicial figures, were entangled in orchestrated criminal activities.
Mkhwanazi’s allegations, made public earlier this month, sent shockwaves through the country’s security establishment and prompted Ramaphosa to take immediate action.
In response, the president placed Mchunu on special leave, citing the need to allow for an impartial investigation.
Ramaphosa simultaneously announced the formation of a judicial commission to probe the allegations, describing the move as essential for restoring public trust in law enforcement and the judiciary.
However, the MK Party has rejected the president’s steps, labeling them unconstitutional and politically motivated.
The party argued that both the appointment of an acting minister and the establishment of the inquiry bypassed proper procedures and lacked rational justification.In directives issued Friday, the ConCourt instructed the MK Party to file its heads of argument by 2pm on Sunday.
The respondents, including Ramaphosa and Mchunu, were ordered to submit theirs by 2pm on Monday.
The case marks the latest flashpoint in a series of legal and political confrontations between the MKP and Ramaphosa’s administration, further intensifying the post-election climate.
Political analysts suggest the outcome could have far-reaching implications for executive authority and the constitutional boundaries of presidential discretion during times of political crisis.
The ConCourt’s ruling is expected to set a precedent on the limits of presidential powers in managing cabinet members under investigation and responding to national security concerns.
*This article was first published by IOL NEWS
