NATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL IS A WEEK AWAY

 

The National Arts Festival is a Week Away - Take the Leap into New Worlds - June 25 – July 5, 2026.

The National Arts Festival is just one week away and it’s gearing up to be the winter soulfood that you’ve been craving. From exciting weekends filled with music, shows and experiences to a week packed with discovery, conversation and bold performances, concluding with all the big acts in store for the final weekend. Whenever you arrive, you’re here for the good stuff as we come together and build new worlds!

 

Weekends Packed With Music and More

Msaki and the ALTBLK >>Pan African Collective will perform on June 26 at the Guy Butler Theatre

The weekends of June 26-28 and July 3-5 are when the big music acts take centre stage. You’ll have the chance to see unforgettable performers like Thandiswa Mazwai, Msaki’s ALTBLK>>Pan-African Collective, the Soweto String Quartet, Concord Nkabinde, Manana with a full band, Betusile Mcinga's soulful gospel, rising stars Nomfundo Moh and Ntokozo Mkhize and the experimental sounds of Kids Love Jazz. The new dedicated music venue, the Great Hall, will stay open late, featuring DJ sets that carry the energy well into the early hours. The whole town will be buzzing with excitement.

But these weekends are not just about the headliners. The Fringe, showcasing over 200 works from nine provinces, is where you'll discover the unexpected.

 

Dance performances that move you

University productions alongside independent collectives - from UJ to the University of Zululand, AFDA to Phoenix College, there's a whole lot more from SA’s finest creative institutions

Shows that ignite conversations and inspire people to text their friends about what they've just experienced.

Great shows for families and children

 

Urban showcases from Spark Hub and TX Theatre

Get ready for LitFest with a programme focused on literature and conversation from June 26-28. Notable panelists include Zakes Mda, Professor Pamela Maseko, Phemelo Motene, Dr Athambile Masola, Siya Khumalo, Vuyo Ngcofe, Wesley Roodt, Nozibele Mayaba and Rorisang Thandekiso, Nozipho Tshabalala, Naledi Mqhayi, and Sihle-Isipho Nontshokweni-Bikitsha.

 

And Then The Week Unfolds

Standard Bank Young Artist for Dance, Lee-ché Janecke will perform June 27 to 29 at the Rhodes Box

During the week, the shows go on with riveting works and major premieres featuring the 2026 Standard Bank Young Artist for Dance, Lee-ché Janecke, with Majaivan on June 27-29, and the 2026 Standard Bank Young Artist for Theatre, Jason Jacobs’ Kraal unravels the tangled vines of inherited trauma and the shadow of the dop system (2-4 July). Expect outstanding music, captivating magic and much more! Don’t miss The Very Big Comedy Show on July 2 with Stuart Taylor, Yaaseen Barnes, Conrad Koch, Chester Missing & Friends, Khanyisa Bunu, Chris Mapane and host, Rob van Vuuren - and all the great shows on the Fringe.

Don’t forget to look out for the Ovation Award winners! The panel will be hard at work identifying Fringe works that are being presented for the first time and will share their selections daily.

The Festival becomes a space for conversation, discovery and contemplation of ideas with the Art Talk programme, featuring workshops for artists which the public can also attend.

Film is back with a tightly-curated selection of highly-acclaimed international works sourced from global film festivals. If you’re staying at home, search the programme for this year’s vFringe films. Additionally, there are readings and literary events at LitFest, late-night gatherings at Oldies, and explorations of black consciousness at The Black Power Station.

Every day at 17h00, the free Sundowner Concerts at the Monument showcase performances from the Festival line-up, allowing for a perfect wind-down while you discover your new favourite artist.

New this year, the Festival Canteen at the Monument becomes a place to enjoy affordable, hearty meals. Offerings include samp or pap with wors, chicken stew, soup of the day, and simple food that nourishes you between shows - open daily from 12 noon to 14h00 and 18h00 to 20h00.

The Village Green at Victoria Girls’ School is where you find your community, and the Long Table invites people to gather late into the night. For those looking to self-cater, local grocery shops like Pick ‘n Pay remain open until 21h00, while McDonald’s closes at midnight.

 

A Box Office in Your Pocket

The free National Arts Festival app is a simple, convenient way to manage your Festival experience.

-Browse shows by date or genre

-Book your tickets or add shows to your wishlist

-Buy them in your app

-Store your tickets in one place

-Use your app tickets to gain entry to shows

 

All your info is locked into your account so as long as you’re logged in, you can view the same info on your desktop browser

 

Download the app and create your account now

iStore

Android

 

What Makes it All Possible

Watch The Cry of Winnie Mandela from June 26 to 28 at the Rhodes Theatre

The organisers have worked hard to make the Festival accessible for everyone. Ticket prices range from R20 to R300. Genres range from circus to dance and children’s theatre– it's a family-friendly affair for all ages in a variety of languages.

Not sure how you’ll get there?

Thanks to the partnership with CrabaRide, you can travel for less. Book rides from Cape Town, Joburg, Durban, Gqeberha, KuGompo City (and maybe your town, too) on this genius and seriously affordable lift-sharing app. Not your thing? There are plenty of shuttles and private services available so book your ride.

When in Makhanda, venues are conveniently spread throughout the town, making it a brisk walk between shows or just jump on the hopper - a free shuttle that takes festival goers along set routes.

Above all, Makhanda is ready to embrace you so come and dive in!

Plan Your Trip

 

If You’re On The Fence - Here’s Your Sign

Catch FAMEHUNGRY on July 1, 3 and 4 at Thomas Pringle

Whether you drop in for a single performance or immerse yourself in all 11 days, whether your interests lean toward music, theatre, or thought‑provoking dialogue, whether you’re drawn to the buzz of late nights in the company of artists or the calm of mornings in the garden — the trip is worth it and the Festival welcomes you.

But beyond attending, you are invited to become a supporter of the arts. Festivals like this thrive not only on ticket sales but on the commitment of communities who believe in the power of creativity to transform lives. As our industry adapts to new challenges, your participation and support are more vital than ever. By standing with us, you help sustain spaces where artists can take risks, audiences can discover new voices, and culture can continue to thrive.

The Festival is designed for you to arrive as an audience member and leave as part of something bigger — a living, breathing community of art lovers. Here, you’ll find genuine connections, real interactions, and the shared joy of supporting creativity together.

Still need to plan a trip? Convince someone to be your NAF friend this year!

Tell a Friend about NAF 2026

 

It’s Not Too Late

Comedian Alfred Adriaan will perform in The Very Big Comedy Show on July 2 at The Guy Butler Theatre

Here’s all the need-to-knows to make it happen. Nearly 100% of Festival visitors say they’ll be back. If you haven’t been in a while - this is your year!

The National Arts Festival runs from June 25 to July 5, 2026 in Makhanda, Eastern Cape.

To check out the programme, head to the website www.nationalartsfestival.co.za

Tickets: Book via our www.nationalartsfestival.co.za or on the National Arts Festival App downloadable on iStore and Android  

You can also purchase tickets at the physical Box Office at The Monument - open now.

Ticket prices: R20 – R300 per show

Transport: Book a CrabaRide from anywhere in South Africa

More information: @NationalArtsFestival on social media or check out the FAQ’s

 

There are thousands of people that make the Festival possible, and the organisers are grateful to everyone who books a ticket, hosts a guest, provides a meal for visitors and, of course, presents a show as part their programme! A special thank-you to the sponsors of the 2026 National Arts Festival: the Eastern Cape Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Standard Bank, Department of Sport, Arts and Culture's Mzansi Golden Economy Programme and the Sarah Baartman District Municipality.

WANDILE MBAMBENI LIVE AT THE CHAIRMAN

An evening of truth, texture, and timeless sound on June 27, 2026.

Step into a space where music strips itself down to its purest form. South African singer-songwriter Wandile Mbambeni arrives at The Chairman for a deeply intimate live experience - one that leans into storytelling, raw vocals, and the quiet power of acoustic soul.

Fresh off his latest EP You Love Who You Love, featuring the stirring single Hey Lord, Wandile continues to carve out a sound that is both rooted and expansive - blending a country-western aesthetic with a distinctly African emotional language. It’s music that feels lived-in, honest, and unafraid.

This tour is more than a series of performances - it’s a gathering. A celebration of community, vulnerability, and the songs that hold us together.

On June 27, Durban becomes part of that journey. Come through. Sit close. Listen deeply.

The Chairman is located at 146 Mahatma Gandhi Road, Point, Durban, 4001

https://www.quicket.co.za/events/372057-berita-live-at-the-chairman/#/

JANE DIGBY TAKING FLIGHT EXHIBITION

 

(Above: Flight – Turbulence (110 x 190 cm) Oil on Canvas)

 

The Gallery Ballito https://thegalleryballito.co.za is proud to be exhibiting Jane Digby’s Taking Flight which runs until July 31, 2026. Taking Flight explores movement as both a natural instinct and a deeply human experience.

Inspired by migration of barn swallows and the journey of people across borders, the exhibition invites artists to reflect on themes of departure, transition, belonging and the idea of home as something that can be carried

To view Jane Digby’s paintings, visit:

The Gallery, Lifestyle Centre, Ballito, KZN - @thegallerylifestyle

Zulu Lulu Art House, Piggly Wiggly, The Midlands, KZN - @zulululu_arthouse

Riverbend Art and Wine Gallery, Margate, KZN - @riverbendartandwinegallery

St Francis Art Gallery, St Francis Bay, EC - @stfrancisart_gallery

 

Do not hesitate to enquire - some are exhibited, and some are in the storeroom.

SPIER LIGHT ART 2027 OPEN CALL

Deadline: July 21, 2026.

Spier Light Art returns for its ninth year - and it's looking for artists and makers

Africa's longest-running light art exhibition invites artists to submit expressions of interest by July 21 2026.

Spier Light Art has opened its call for artists ahead of its 2027 edition, running from February 26 to March 21, 2027, across the historic Spier Wine Farm in Stellenbosch.

Now in its ninth year, Spier Light Art is South Africa's leading platform for light-based contemporary art and Africa's longest-running exhibition of its kind. Curated by Vaughn Sadie, the exhibition commissions new works in which light functions as concept, medium, and subject matter.

There is no fixed theme for 2027. Artists are free to explore ideas relevant to their practice, including technology, resilience, enchantment, and the context of a working wine farm and its landscape. Proposals are welcomed from artists and makers across all disciplines and career stages. Eligible work includes site-specific installations, sculpture, interactive art, digital works, video art, and sound and light integration.

Expressions of interest are due by July 21, 2026, and must be submitted to spierlightart@lightplace.org

Shortlisted artists will be invited to develop a more detailed proposal, with final selections confirmed in early October 2026.

For full submission requirements and to RSVP for briefings on June 20 and July 4, visit www.spierlightart.co.za or contact spierlightart@lightplace.org

 

HISTORY’S GREATEST MYSTERIES S7

 

History’s Greatest Mysteries with Laurence Fishburne is part of Season 7.

The latest season of History’s Greatest Mysteries once again casts a spotlight on some of the top theories surrounding the world’s most enigmatic unsolved mysteries. From what the US government is really hiding at Area 51, to the daring theft of the Mona Lisa, and who pulled off the infamous Lufthansa heist – walking away with $5 million in cash and $800,000 in jewellery from a luxury airline hangar.

Join host narrator Laurence Fishburne, as he unpacks these and other puzzles.

 

June 27

Saturdays 20h15

Repeat: Sunday 19h25

RMETS WEATHER PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2026 OPENS FOR ENTRIES

The world’s favourite weather photography competition returns as the Royal Meteorological Society (RMetS) officially opens entries for the Weather Photographer of the Year 2026.

Now entering its second decade, the competition invites photographers from around the globe to submit striking images that capture the power, beauty and impact of weather. It celebrates outstanding photography that showcases both dramatic weather events and the growing influence of climate change.

The dedicated Climate Award also returns for 2026, recognising images that connect weather with wider environmental change. As a visual medium, photography offers a powerful way to communicate complex scientific ideas and engage global audiences.

Prof Liz Bentley FRMetS, Chief Executive of the Royal Meteorological Society, said: "The Weather Photographer of the Year competition continues to showcase the remarkable ways in which weather shapes our world, from moments of natural beauty to events of significant impact. As our climate changes, these images play an increasingly important role in helping people understand and engage with the science behind weather and climate."

The competition is free to enter and open to photographers of all levels, from seasoned professionals to enthusiastic amateurs.

 

The 2026 categories include:

-Weather Photographer of the Year – awarded to the most striking image of weather in action (£1,500 prize).

-Mobile Weather Photographer of the Year – celebrating the best images captured on a smartphone or tablet (£500 prize).

-Climate Award – recognising photography that tells a compelling story about our changing climate (£500 prize).

-Public Favourite – decided by a global public vote.

 

Key Dates

Entries open: June 11– August 20, 2026

Shortlist announcement and public vote: October 22, 2026

Winners announced: November 17, 2026

  

How to Enter

Photographers can submit their entries via the official submission website, Zealous here. https://zealous.co/

 

 

 

KZNPO WINTER SEASON CONCERT#2: REVIEW

 

KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra

World Symphony Series, Winter Season, Concert 2 (18 June 2026)

The Playhouse Opera

Intuitive spurts and whimsical let-ups set for the orchestra a moving target which, under the baton of Alexandra Arrieche, they skilfully negotiated. (Review by David Smith)

Part of this event fell outside the usual symphony concert parameters: as happened in past years, the KZN Youth Orchestra under Lyk Temmingh was accorded the opening slot and brought in a characteristically young and lively following among the groups of ‘old hands’ in attendance. Their four-piece curtain-raiser was a bouquet plucked from Mozart, popular Brahms, a Spanish flavour and a fanfare.

Apart from purely musical achievements – their strong rhythmic sense, clean ensemble, and commendable tuning among heterogeneous groups – the youngsters’ involvement in a project that reaches back over more than 30 years is also premised on social and emotional commitments whose benefits recommend themselves universally. The listeners’ applause was approval of both flowering talent and the continued efforts of instructors and parents in encouraging a crucible of diverse artistic expression.

The well-filled theatre then had the opportunity to hear a brilliant Italian pianist, Federico Colli, take on - and shake down - the Schumann piano concerto. A work of such importance gets many outings, and its interpretation easily becomes smoothed down by convention, to a ‘truthful’ but unremarkable reflection of the printed signs. Colli was having none of that.

He re-wrote the ‘contract’ through his emphasis on rapid, impetuous utterances on one hand, and the most delicate tonal caresses - shy, even - on the other. While this suggests an alignment with the acknowledged facets of Schumann’s persona (given the names of Florestan, the impassioned, and Eusebius, the dreamer), as well as the roots of the first movement (the longest) in an independent Phantasie conception, it yielded an idiosyncratic reading of the music, changeful in its moods and speeds, and elastic even in its small gestures.

Intuitive spurts and whimsical let-ups set for the orchestra a moving target which, under the baton of Alexandra Arrieche, they skilfully negotiated. Colli’s tonal levels and layers were also a product of re-thinking and brought a luminous quality to much of the piano part, which the orchestra sought to emulate. He complimented his enthusiastic audience (“You aren’t cold, like Europeans”) and offered as an encore an explosive jest on bits of the Rondo alla Turca, his blazing virtuosity well to the fore.

The rapport between Arrieche and the orchestra was amply tested when the second half of the concert turned to Mendelssohn’s ‘Scottish’ Symphony (numbered ‘3’ but actually his fifth and last). The score is unusual in various ways, from its extended introduction minus the upper strings at the start, through the sudden evocation of a sea storm, to the hymn-like coda at the very end. These anomalies aside, the work falls into the standard four-movement shape. But its themes migrate and mutate, and the writing is intentionally aimed at progression without pauses between movements.

Perhaps the enforced stops – due to outbreaks of applause – helped to revive the musicians, for they maintained headlong speeds and the rapid circulation of motifs within the orchestra. Besides fine solo work from oboe and clarinet especially, and heart-warming lyrical themes from the cello section, the ‘choirs’ that constitute the orchestra scarcely missed a trick. It was hard work in a noble cause.

It was also to Arrieche’s great credit that a work like this (one far less familiar than the Schumann) could be prepared in the usual limited rehearsal time and presented with both authority and freshness. - David Smith

 

2026 STANDARD BANK YOUNG ARTIST AWARD COHORT PREMIÉRES AT THE NATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL

 A New Era: The 2026 Standard Bank Young Artist Award Cohort Première’s at the National Arts Festival

For over 40 years, the Standard Bank Young Artist Awards have identified and celebrated South African artists who are pushing boundaries and shaping contemporary discourse in the arts. Selected by the National Arts Festival’s Artistic Committee, part of the SBYA’s year includes the presentation of a new work at the Festival.

This is a much-anticipated highlight of the National Arts Festival’s programme and the 2026 Standard Bank Young Artist Award Winners (SBYA) will be in Makhanda this year with a varied and fascinating body of work. From exploring ancient African indigenous knowledge perspectives to celebrating the global rise of South African pop culture, each artist presents a bold vision that pushes the boundaries of their discipline, unpacking girlhood, love, African ontologies and transformative performance on a world stage. 

(Left: Jason Jacobs)

 

THEATRE – JASON JACOBS PRESENTS KRAAL

The 2026 Standard Bank Young Artist for Theatre - Jason Jacobs

 Kraal is a powerful two-part decolonial curation that unravels inherited trauma and the shadow of the colonial dop system. Performed both in a traditional theatre setting and a sacred matjieshut (mat hut), Jason Jacobs’ immersive ritual of restoration breathes life into the ancient wisdom of the Kamiesberge. An indigenous artist from Namaqualand, he integrates heritage and contemporary storytelling, continuing his acclaimed trajectory in theatre and film. The work emphasizes a reconstruction in which fragments of memory and shame are gently gathered and transformed toward healing and growth.

 Rhodes Box:

July 2 – 20h00 – 21h05

July 3 -16h00 – 17h05

July 4 – 14h00 – 15h05

 While selected for his theatre work, Jacobs, alongside his co-writer and co-director, Devon Delmoar, will present their screenplay, Variations on a Theme. Through recurring visual ‘variations’, the film reveals a portrait of waiting, endurance and loss as repetition serves as revelation. It tells the story of an elderly goat herder who falls victim to a reparations scam, eagerly awaiting money that never arrives. The disruptions of her 80th birthday threaten to strip away the last of her independence. 

(Right: Lee-Che Janecke)

 

DANCE – LEE-CHE JANECKE PRESENTS MAJAIVAN: A MOVEMENT STORY OF THE LIFE OF LEE-CHE JANECKE

The 2026 Standard Bank Young Artist for Dance - Lee-Che Janecke

MAJAIVAN: A Movement Story of the Life of Lee-Che Janecke is an emotional interpretation of Janecke’s journey through family, identity and their role at the forefront of the global rise of African dance. With choreography rooted in resilience and grace, this performance invites audiences to reflect on their own paths while celebrating the transformative power of movement.

Known professionally as Litchi HOV, Janecke has spent over 13 years forging a movement language that feels ancestral and futuristic at once. Globally recognised as a choreographer, creative director and cultural innovator, Litchi is the creative force behind Grammy Award-winning phenomenon Tyla, and helped propel Water into a global dance awakening, crafting choreography that moved from screens to stadiums with magnetic velocity. His visionary work on Push 2 Start earned him a 2025 MTV VMA nomination for Best Choreography.

Rhodes Box

June 27 – 20h00 – 20h50

June 28 – 16h00 – 16h50

June 29 - 10h00 – 10h50

 

(Left: Gabi Motuba)

 

JAZZ – GABI MOTUBA PRESENTS THE SOUNDS OF A BLACK GIRL

The 2026 Standard Bank Young Artist for Jazz - Gabi Motuba

The Sounds of a Black Girl introduces an exciting new ensemble of world-renowned musicians. Motuba’s majestic voice anchors a sonic exploration of spiritual jazz and neo-soul, blurring traditional boundaries through improvisation and philosophy. Building on her acclaimed album The Sabbath, this work extends her experimental compositional practice. “Jazz exists in my philosophy. Rooted in jazz as philosophy rather than genre, the album dissolves traditional boundaries, embracing improvisation as both method and meaning. It is my way of life and my style,” Motuba reflects.

Critics praise Motuba for her musicality, compositional depth and rare ability to articulate the theory that underpins her praxis. She is regarded as a compelling composer and a majestic vocalist, capable of holding vast emotional landscapes within a single phrase.

Great Hall

July 4 – 16h00 – 18h00 

(Right: Manana)

 

MUSIC – MANANA PRESENTS PULCHRITUDINOUS: THE BEAUTY OF THE JOURNEY

The 2026 Standard Bank Young Artist for Music - Manana

Pulchritudinous: The Beauty of the Journey marks an iconic Manana performance with a full band and horn section. The show spans the entirety of his artistic journey, from his debut EP In the Beginning Was the End to 2025’s OBHM: Full Stop, tracing an emotional narrative of love, loss and healing. Audiences will experience rare renditions, new arrangements and unreleased material in what promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime showcase. The addition of the horn section brings a fresh and distinctive sound to beloved songs.

Hailing from eSwatini, Manana is a SAMA winner who has collaborated with global stars including Burna Boy, Usher, Tyla, Pheelz, Nasty C, Amanda Black, Ami Faku, Cynthia Erivo, Shekinah and Sauti Sol.

Great Hall

June 27 – 21h00 – 23h00

  

(Left: Bronwyn Katz)

 

VISUAL ART – BRONWYN KATZ PRESENTS TA A-B KOBAB ADA KĀXU-DA, TI KHOE-DU’E!

The 2026 Standard Bank Young Artist for Visual Art – Bronwyn Katz

 The retrieval of lost language through material process is central to Bronwyn Katz’s exhibition: Ta a-b kobab ada kāxu-da, ti khoe-du’e! . Language here is relational, a system of contact, conduction, and response. Katz begins with the body. She traces subtle shifts across her own skin permanent and fleeting marks that appear and dissolve over time. These intimate cartographies are translated into metal scaffolds that hold resonant forms, horns and cavities filled with healing herbs, beeswax, and conductive wire circuits.

Born in Kimberley, but living and working in Cape Town, Katz is a founding member of iQhiya, an 11-women artist collective which has performed across various spaces, including Documenta 14 (in Kassel and Athens). Her artistic practice is an evolving system of notation, an effort to articulate the phonetics of an imagined creole language. Engaging with the concept of land as a living repository of memory and trauma, her work reflects on space as lived experience, considering the land’s capacity to remember, carry and communicate the traces of its occupation.

Monument Gallery

June 25 - July 5: 09h00 to 17h00

 

Find the Standard Bank Young Artists on the Programme by filtering for Curated Programme or click below:

https://tickets.nationalartsfestival.co.za/en?programme_type_id=6

 

DURBAN FILMMART ANNOUNCES PARTICIPANTS FOR TALENTS DURBAN 2026

 

The Durban FilmMart Institute (DFMI) announces the line-up of participants for the 19th edition of Talents Durban, taking place during the Durban FilmMart (DFM) in Durban from October 9 to 12, 2026.

As the African satellite programme of Berlinale Talents, Talents Durban continues to play a vital role in nurturing emerging African filmmakers, animators, and film critics through mentorship, professional development, and international networking opportunities.

Berlinale Talents is a networking platform organised by the Berlin International Film Festival, offering a space for emerging filmmakers to connect, learn, and collaborate. Talents Durban serves as its African counterpart, providing a similar platform specifically tailored to the continent's unique filmmaking landscape.

DFMI Director, Magdalene Reddy, explains: “The Durban FilmMart Institute remains committed to advancing African cinema through strategic collaborations that expand international access to professional networks, markets, and sustainable industry opportunities. Talents Durban is central to this vision. Now in its 19th year of partnership with Berlinale Talents, this partnership helps to contribute meaningfully to the long-term growth and sustainability of the African film ecosystem.”

The 2026 edition reflects the diversity of African storytelling, bringing together participants from 18 African countries. This year’s selection process was highly competitive, receiving a record 551 applications. From these submissions, 26 participants and six film critics were selected across fiction features, documentaries, short films, episodic content, animation, and film criticism.

Selected participants will engage in an intensive programme of project-oriented and hands-on professional development initiatives, including Story Junction pitching sessions, masterclasses, mentorship engagements, and one-on-one consultations with leading industry experts.

Mentors for the 2026 edition include Akosua Adoma Owusu, Amine Hattou, Bongi Ndaba, Comfort Arthur, Jihane Bougrine, Mayye Zayed, Nicole Schafer, Oris Aigbokhaevbolo, Ramadan Suleman and Razanajaona Ambinintsoa Luck.

A highlight of this year’s programme is the evolution of the Talent Press stream through the introduction of a Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Digital Newsroom model. Moving beyond the traditional workshop format, the programme will simulate a live festival newsroom environment.

Acclaimed alumni Wilfred Okiche and Domoina Ratsara return as Section Editors, mentoring and collaborating directly with a new generation of emerging African critics serving as Festival Film Writers. The initiative is further strengthened through partnerships with the Encounters South African International Documentary Festival (04-14 June 2026) and the Durban International Film Festival (July 23 - August 2, 2026), providing participants with real-world reporting experience, and opportunities to publish critical writing from the forefront of African cinema.

Talent Press is an initiative of Talents Durban in collaboration with FIPRESCI. A new collaboration between the Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF), the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI), and the Durban FilmMart Institute was announced during FIPRESCI's annual reception. The partnership will see FIPRESCI select an outstanding participant from the Talents Durban Press programme at Durban FilmMart 2026 to receive an award presented by CIFF. The selected critic will be invited to attend the Cairo International Film Festival, cover the festival's activities, and contribute to its English-language daily publication. This initiative represents an important step in strengthening film criticism across the African continent and creating greater opportunities for emerging critical voices to engage with international film culture and discourse.

 

Official 2026 Talents Durban Participants and Projects:

 

Fiction Features

Kelvin Kagambo – Dogi Dogi (Tanzania)

Lawrencia Aphua Larbi-Amoah – Bare Feet (Ghana)

Meekaaeel Adam – The Violent Type (South Africa)

Mélanie K. ZAWADI – THE BASEMENT (DRC)

Russell Oru – The Things We Leave Behind (Nigeria)

Shandra Apondi – The Words I Do Not Have (Kenya)

 

Documentaries

Ahmed Shams Nagm Eldin – SABARY (Sudan)

Hussein Eddeb – The birth of Derna (Libya)

Junior Mozese – ABÉTI (DRC)

Michelle Simon – Rivers: Under Threat  (South Africa)

Ramaroson Razafimbelo Anatole – Fitampoha, the return of the king of Menabe (Madagascar)

Sarra El Abed – Goodbye Party (Tunisia)

 

Fiction Shorts

Daisy Masembe – Rukia (Uganda)

Ghazzal Abdullah – Facing the Sun (Egypt)

Moso Sematlane – Nightbirds (Lesotho)

Sarah Abena Adjei – Awake (Ghana)

Tendaiishe Chitima – The Last Tree on Kilimanjaro (Zimbabwe)

Xola Limba – Only We Remain (South Africa)

 

Episodic

Cheyi Okoaye – Cause, Effect & Maybe Consequences? (Nigeria)

Des Dlamini – Slightly Awkward (South Africa)

Rudo Furusa – Borrowed Skin (Botswana)

SOGOBA Hawa – The Eleventh Year (Mali)

 

Animation

Jack Machiridza – All You Sheep (Zimbabwe)

Kirollos George – Alexandria forever (Egypt)

Pule Mohotsi –  Amandla (South Africa)

 

Talent Press

Elijah Oluwanisola (Nigeria)

Hlumela Luvuno (South Africa)

NEYA Harouna (Burkina Faso)

Michelle Abuti (Kenya)

Domoina Ratsara (Madagascar) – Alumni

Wilfred Okiche (Nigeria) – Alumni

 

The Heads of Berlinale Talents, Nikola Joetze and Tobias Pausinger, highlight their anticipation, stating: “At Berlinale Talents, we regard Talents Durban as an essential creative partner and a space where exceptional filmmakers and storytellers from across the African continent continue to push boundaries, challenge form, and expand the global cinematic imagination. Year after year, we are inspired by how Talents Durban nurtures bold artistic voices that embody the spirit of this year’s Berlinale Talents theme, Creating and Confusion, transforming uncertainty into innovation and new narrative possibilities.

Equally vital is the internationally-renowned Durban Film Market itself, which stands as one of the continent’s most significant platforms for connecting emerging and established talent with industry opportunity. It plays a decisive role in strengthening the creative ecosystem, while underscoring South Africa’s position as a dynamic and indispensable hub for the international film industry.”

As the premier film market in Africa, the 17th edition of the Durban FilmMart, under the theme Shifting Worlds: Turning Towards Ourselves. Inspired by the words of Ousmane Sembène, often referred to as the “father of African cinema” who said, “Why be a sunflower and turn toward the sun? I, myself, am the sun,” the 17th edition of the Durban FilmMart will be the space for discussions that advance alternative film funding pathways, revise models for distribution, consider equitable co-production frameworks and create authentic partnerships. DFM 2026 will encourage looking within to forge relationships and design new strategies that will brace a world in flux and endure the economic and social structures that are changing and destabilising the film industry.

More information on this year’s theme can be found on the Durban FilmMart Institute’s website, https://durbanfilmmart.co.za/

Delegate registration and programme details will be announced in due course.

The 17th edition Durban FilmMart is funded by the Durban Film Office, eThekwini Municipality, Ford Foundation, the National Film and Video Foundation and IEFTF.

RED MANGO ARTS FESTIVAL IS BACK!

 

Durban’s Cultural Pulse Returns!

Following its inaugural launch last year, the Red Mango Arts Festival returns to Sastri College Durban from July 22 to 25, for its second edition. 

Founded by 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. 

Follow this site for further programme announcements, artist line-ups and partnership opportunities for the 2026 festival. Tickets: Webtickets  

For more information contact 083 280 6330

NATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL MUSIC PROGRAMME

 

The National Arts Festival is turning up the volume this year with once-in-a-lifetime concerts, impromptu jam sessions and exuberant choral collaboration. The 2026 programme spans a wide variety of genres from gospel and indigenous music to Afro-pop, pan-African collectives, and everything in between, across the Curated Programme, the Fringe and independent venues.

 

First Weekend: Eastern Cape Celebration & Standard Bank Young Artist Spotlight

Friday June 26 kicks off with a truly Eastern Cape celebration. For this special production, The Bala Family will be joined by 120 voices from the local Masicule Youth Choir, with a special appearance by their mother, Mam V, in one of the songs. Goosebumps all round.

 

Saturday June 27 afternoon

The Soweto String Quartet returns to the Festival with Strings of the Nation: 30 Years of Soweto String Quartet with special guest artist, Maḓuvha. The concert takes audiences on a journey through their 10-studio-album legacy, featuring iconic tracks like Mbube, Kwela, Weeping and Timbuktu, alongside fresh compositions reflecting their evolution.

 

Saturday June 27 evening:

See https://nationalartsfestival.co.za/from-matjieshuts-to-ai-opera-the-national-arts-festivals-programme-reveal/

 

 

MUSIC AT NAF 2026:

From Choirs to Afro-pop, Classics to Pan-African Collectives

The online box office is open for booking. If you’re planning to catch some music here’s the scoop on what to look for when those digital doors open!

 

FIRST WEEKEND:

EASTERN CAPE CELEBRATION & STANDARD BANK YOUNG ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

Saturday June 27 evening:

South African bassist, composer, and producer Concord Nkabinde brings decades of musical excellence to the stage, featuring guest artist, Phoebe Mgxaji. A 2006 Standard Bank Young Artist Award winner for Jazz, Concord has collaborated with legends spanning generations and continents: from Abdullah Ibrahim, Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, and Johnny Clegg to international artists Roy Ayers, Lionel Loueke and Phil Manzanera. His cross-cultural projects have taken South African sounds to Brazil, China, Finland, Norway and beyond.

 

Saturday June 27 late evening:

Standard Bank Young Artist for Music 2026, Ndumiso Manana, presents Pulchritudinous: The Beauty of the Journey. For the first time, Manana performs with a full band and three-piece horn section, creating a rich soundscape that traces an emotional narrative from his debut EP In the Beginning Was the End to 2025's OBHM: Full Stop. The eSwatini-born SAMA winner has collaborated with Usher, Tyla, Nasty C, Cynthia Erivo, and contributed to Burna Boy's Grammy-winning Twice As Tall.

 

Sunday June 28 afternoon:

Eastern Cape-born gospel sensation Betusile Mcinga brings the sound of home to the Festival. Son of award-winning gospel artist Lusanda Mcinga, Betusile has carved his own path with a powerful voice that's made him a church fixture across South Africa. His breakthrough hit Ngena Noah earned Song of the Year at the 2023 Metro FM Music Awards, while Zundithwale took the same honour at the Crown Gospel Awards.

 

 

SECOND WEEKEND:

FROM AFRO-POP TO PAN-AFRICAN CELEBRATION

Friday July 3 evening:

Get the party started with Afro-pop sensations Nomfundo Moh and Nontokozo Mkhize. These rising stars blend contemporary pop with deep traditional roots. Nomfundo Moh's breakout hit Phakade Lami (featuring Sha Sha and Ami Faku) became an instant classic, while Nontokozo Mkhize's collaborations with Master KG and chart-topping releases deliver powerhouse performances. Expect Friday night energy that kicks off the final weekend in style

 

Saturday July 4 afternoon:

2026 Standard Bank Young Artist for Jazz, Gabi Motuba, presents The Sounds of a Black Girl - a bold sonic statement centring vocal improvisation while traversing spiritual jazz and neo soul. Following her acclaimed album The Sabbath, Motuba claims new musical territory through expansive experimentation. Rooted in jazz as philosophy rather than genre, she dissolves traditional boundaries. "Jazz exists in my philosophy. It is my way of life and my style," she reflects. Drawing on the Zen proverb "the finger pointing to the moon is not the moon," she frames jazz as threshold rather than limit—an invitation to transcend form.

 

Saturday July 4 evening:

Msaki and the ALTBLK>> Pan-African Collective. The 2022 Standard Bank Young Artist for Music is a KuGompo-born artist who defies categorisation—composer, singer, songwriter, visual artist and cultural architect. Racking up some award-winning collaborations with Black Coffee, Prince Kaybee, Sun-El, and Jesse Clegg, Msaki has become one of South Africa's most distinctive voices. Through ALTBLK>> CONTINUA, the artist development platform she founded, she supports independent musicians across the continent. For this performance, she brings together artists from the ALTBLK>> community—a pan-African collective rooted in care, creative autonomy and the belief that artists should be "independent, but not alone," for an inspiring African celebration.

 

 

JAZZ RECALIBRATION & YOUTH VOICES

Jazz programming at the National Arts Festival is being recalibrated for 2027 and beyond. The National Youth Jazz Festival and jazz programme, independently produced by Eastern Cape Jazz Promotions, is taking a pause this year. While there will be no jazz at DSG this year, jazz remains woven throughout the NAF programme, with performances from Standard Bank Young Artist for Jazz Gabi Motuba, collaborative platform Kids Love Jazz, who will bring three shows to the festival and artists including Ofentse Sebula, Nubam and Amongst The People I Know, as well as jazz-influenced work across multiple venues on the Fringe including Live with ICON Tshedi Malaika, which sees former Malaika vocalist Matshediso Mholo, team up with Maleh and Viwo Kulati, as well as Isibane (The Light) by Liso the Musician and Spha and the band presents: Usizolwethu (The Musical Journey To Self Love).

 

Housed in a deposed power station in Makhanda, The Black Power Station is a year-round venue and project that operates as a shared identity space where artists can express themselves freely without judgment or compromise. It’s grown in popularity during NAF and is now a strong independent festival within the Festival. The Black Power Station honours mam’ uMadosini this year with artists like Internet Athi and Phila Dlozi, Buhlebendalo and KHNYSA + The Light present ISINGQI SeNyikima to add to a long list yet to be announced.

 

 

ON THE FRINGE:

CHORAL TO CABARET, CLASSICAL TO SPIRITUAL

The Fringe music programme spans every genre. From Makhanda's beloved Kwantu Choir, who will once again bring their power and passion to the Festival, to a wide range of cabaret and musical theatre concerts. These include King Cetshwayo The Musical, Journey of Oom Khris, Brenda and I, Call Me a Diva and Bhisho Massacre. Not to be left out, classical and instrumental music will be out in force with, among others, PentaFusion and That's The Way It Goes: Music for Saxophone and Piano. Traditional and spiritual music, in many of the South African languages, is a hallmark of the Fringe festival’s music programme. Shows ahead include ISIBANE (THE LIGHT) and the Ubuhle Bendalo Indigenous Ensemble. The Fringe music programme will gravitate around the Great Hall (with some exceptions) joining a line-up from the Curated Programme and late-night DJ sets.

The Eastern Cape Showcase, which includes music from the region will be announced in the weeks to come.

Book those tickets at www.nationalartsfestival.co.za

DAVE SOANE REQUIRES HELP TO ATTEND THE NATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL

Dave Soane, editor of the Durban WhatsApp Art Group, is looking to share transport to Grahamstown.

As he says: “I am keen to attend the National Arts Festival in Makhanda (previously Grahamstown), which runs from June 25 to July 5.

“I don't want to travel alone, so I am looking for a person or group to join, or else one or more people to join me, for the trip. Sharing costs.”

Contact Dave on 0822 175 721 (WhatsApp preferred).

Email : davesoane@gmail.com