RED MANGO ARTS FESTIVAL - REPORT

 

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