Feedback report from Caroline Smart
Durban culture audiences were privileged to see the
second-year return of the Red Mango Arts festival, founded by acclaimed South
African actor, playwright and director Rajesh Gopie.
The festival is hosted in conjunction with Sastri College
School, Red Mango Creative Arts (NPC), and the Sastri Alumni Association, with
a firm commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for artists, audiences
and communities through theatre, music, storytelling, cultural dialogue and
artistic collaboration.
The impressive 2026 programme featured a line-up of theatre
productions, music concerts, spoken word, heritage programming, youth
development initiatives, industry conversations and collaborative international
works. Particular emphasis continued to be placed on inter-cultural narratives,
contemporary South African storytelling and works that engage themes of
humanity, identity, social justice and healing.
I asked Rajesh if this was the largest event he had ever
done. His response was typically definite: “Yes, by far,” he says: “A four-day
event, costing hundreds of thousands, many months of prep, cross-genre events
and programmes- multi-disciplinary in nature, marketing, audience development,
mentoring and training, crisis management, space arrangement and festival design-
look and feel, logistics, security, medical, compliance and legality ... the
list goes on. So, yes, it is safe to say it is a huge undertaking, and
definitely the biggest I have worked on.”
My next question was “Why was it called the ‘Red Mango’ festival?”
He replied that the mango is a fruit synonymous with Durban. “Red, because it
is ripe, fragrant, and juicy. Just like a work of art or event, it is ripe for
the plucking, tasting, and appreciating.” Definitely a clearly thought-out
answer!
On comparing the 2026 Festival with last year’s event, this
year was harder because the festival progressed in size, and there more events
to manage. Rajesh adds: “Which brings me to the point that events of such
nature tend to grow organically and therefore demands much more of me and
team.”
This year the footfall of the festival was more than
doubled. There was more diversity and interest from sectors of the community
that were not there last year.
Highlights included Sydenham Lightie, Global Ballie by Kurt
Egelhof; the poignant Pulitzer nominated drama, Letters of Suresh; the launch
of Imraan Coovadia’s latest book, Enemy of the People; Sufis, Mystics and
Qawali – an evening of music poetry and spiritual storytelling in a special
star-studded concert; the Tshwane University of Technology group were back,
this time with the fun sun-soaked frolic, Mama Mia; Tonya Koenderman brought
her Getting Old Disgracefully; Comedy Night with Jailoshni Naidoo and Friends;
two plays for young people, an open mic, a dance demo, a magic show, line
dancing, piano diva, storytelling, a grand finale concert, and more.
Plus, refreshments, outdoor places to relax and meet
friends, books for sale, exhibitions and displays.
At a time when many arts organisations continue to face
financial strain and diminishing institutional support, Red Mango Arts Festival
positions itself as both a reminder of the importance of the arts in society as
well as an urgent call to action by seeking meaningful partnerships across the
public and private sectors while advocating for the long-term sustainability of
the arts in Durban and KZN.
I asked Rajesh to comment on the support from performers/
artists and technicians. He said: that the artists and performers they had were
professional and extremely supportive of the aims of the festival. “There was
always a professional ethos generally, and we were very happy with the artists
who performed. We would need to increase our technical support going forward,
but we will cross that bridge next year and beyond.”
He adds: “I think my favourite activity was the line dancing
in the open quad. This showed the spirit and spontaneity of community and art
in action. Of course, I want to say everything was my favourite, but pick out
the line dance because it really expressed the open joy of people there, as
well as the ancient ideas that we as humans need to move and engage with each
other in a physical/corporeal and connected fashion.”
(Right: Caroline Smart & Rajesh Gopie with her Lifetime Achievement Award)
Due to other commitments, I was unfortunately unable to see
much of the action-packed programme but I was delighted to see Sufis, Mystics
and Qawali.
What was even more delightful – and a total surprise – was to be
presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award. The other recipient being the late
Ronnie Govender which made me equally proud.Rajesh indicated that there was every intention of producing
another festival next year but a date has not been finalised yet.
Any development will be announced on my website news.artsmart.co.za – Caroline Smart
Information on the Red Mango Arts Festivals is available on
Facebook and Instagram@Red Mango Arts
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