Bookings for the 49th National Arts Festival are open! It’s a one stop experience on www.nationalartsfestival.co.za where you can explore the programme and make your bookings directly on our online portal. Happening live in Makhanda from 22 June – 2 July, the NAF is your annual arts immersion and the programme is packed with diverse shows from South Africa and the world.
Visit our first programme reveal here.
First time going to NAF or first time booking via our digital system? Scroll down this mail for a rough guide to using the online programme.
(image Mark Wessels)
Dance, music and more
This year’s Festival programme is strong on dance with shows from Gregory Maqoma, Mamela Nyamza, Jazzart and 2022 Standard Bank Young Artist for Dance Thamsanqa Majela firing up the winter stages. The Fringe is also packed with dance with shows like I.N.G.O.K.O, Afrika Sings, The Story of Fire and Whistleblowers to mention just some of the shows to see.
(image Hilary Scott)
The Boston Youth Philharmic Orchestra is coming to the Festival from the USA and will be performing the symphony concert and the children’s concert this year. We are also looking forward to announcing some exciting headline music acts and the Makhanda National Jazz Festival programme soon.
(image Mark Wessels)
From fun to freaky – it’s all there
An antidote for gloomy times, the Festival programme is packed with fun shows from late night and naughty to family friendly. In NSFW Not Safe for Woke recent Comics Choice Award Winner, Kagiso KG Mokgadi, returns to the National Arts Festival with a one-man-show that covers everything from lockdown babies and World War III to Tinder swindlers and all the digital vibes in between.
Illusionists/mentalists Brendon Peel and Li Lau will be back in Makhanda with Double Bluff: An Extreme Magic Show after an international television appearance on Got Talent All Stars in Madrid; selected from the best of performances from the Got Talent stable of shows (Peel and Lau were on Britains Got Talent and Romania’s Got Talent previously). Eastern Cape-born Peel will also present a host of solo shows at this year’s Festival where he has been performing regularly since he first began his career.
(image Mark Wessels)
Younger audiences can look forward to How to Hold the World starring James Stoffberg, a tale of a young boy tasked with holding up the world as he faces the scary (but rewarding) prospect of growing up. He learns that being alone doesn’t mean being strong, being helped doesn’t mean being selfish, and bravery is about being open to imagination and friendship. This play offers lessons in life for children and parents to share.
(image Mark Wessels)
Great discounts for Standard Bank customers
Standard Bank cardholders qualify for a discount of up to 25% when using a valid Standard Bank debit, cheque or credit card to purchase tickets for the National Arts Festival. The discount is applicable to online purchases or at the Festival Box Office. This offer is subject to availability. Terms and conditions apply.
(image – Mark Wessels)
Making it possible
The National Arts Festival is made possible through the generous support of our partners, the Eastern Cape Government, Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and Standard Bank. We would also like to acknowledge Distell, the National Arts Council, Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency, Eastern Cape Development Corporation, Sarah Baartman District Municipality, Makana Municipality and Business and Arts South Africa as well as the Social Employment administered by the Industrial Development Corporation.
