The annual Buyel’Ekhaya Pan African Music Festival, now in its tenth year, is set to will take place at Buffalo Park Cricket Stadium on December 16.
The popular festival draws in scores of early holidaymakers from all over SA, as well as those returning home, with a 20,000 crowd capacity.
Festival founder Nomahlubi Mazwai said they had expanded the festival in 2016 to include a two-day programme.
“Our vision is to give full expression to the tenets of culture that form a central part of the African lifestyle through song, dance and fashion. And this year, this is what patrons can expect,” Mazwai said.
As a precursor to the music festival, there will be a fashion workshop for aspiring designers on December 12 at Hemingways Mall, at midday. Entrants are advised to apply via e-mail at info@buyelekhaya.co.za
On December 14, a fashion show will be held with headlining designers such as Gert-Johan Coetzee, Sonwabile Ndamase, Zimbabwean designer Chimanye Nyasha (known as Zuvva) and Linda Sithole. It is free to the public.
Festival organiser Osa Mazwai said designers from the 2017 fashion development programme would will showcase five of their garments alongside the big names.
“Three designers have just had a mentorship with Gert, while two are doing their six-month internship with him,” Mazwai said, adding that the 2018 fashion development programme was currently under way.
In June, an artist development programme was held at the Eastern Cape Audio Visual Centre, attended by 82 aspiring artists.
“The names of the those performing will be announced soon. Four to five artists will perform at the festival,” Mazwai said.
Artists billed for the energising festival include Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Zahara, Sun-El Musician, Vusi Nova and Mobi Dixion, to name but a few. Sjava will no longer be performing at the festival.
The GO! spoke to an excited Sun-El Musician who will be performing at the festival.
“It’s amazing to be part of the line-up, I’m really looking forward to the whole show. Doing a new show is always great,” he said.
He added that the crowd can expect “a lot of dancing” and some new music.
Sun-El is Musician is currently working on a new project to be released next year.
“I’m working with three guys but that’s all I’ll say for now. I might have a new album out in June next year,” he said.
The witty Moshe Ndiki of TV show The Queen, will be the MC.
Tickets, at R250, are available at on Computicket, Shoprite and Checkers.
