The Mangaung African Cultural Festival (Macufe) comes of age as it turns 21 this year and delivers a powerful line up that proves its international stature beyond the Free State.
American R&B crooner Joe Thomas headlines the festival that straddles different genres of music as well as comedy which all make the five day event a social and cultural calendar highlight. Joe has a huge following in SA thanks to chart toppers like I Wanna Know and Stutter. He takes to the Indoor Jazz Stage on 11 October 2018 alongside local jazz great Selaelo Selota. Nigerian-born, South African based guitarist Kunle Ayo will also perform. PDA Band and Xolisile Nosenga complete the line up.
While the Main Event on 13 October 2018 dishes the best South Africa has to offer in the music front, it maintains the African essence and a world view. Brandy Norwood from the USA famous for hits such as Almost Doesn’t Count and Have You Ever tops the bill. Zimbabwean legend Oliver Mtukudzi flies the pan-African flag. Crowd pullers Amanda Black, Zonke, Nathi, Vusi Nova, Busiswa, Lady Zamar and DJ Maphorisa will thrill guests. The home province talent is represented by the acclaimed and highly decorated musicians Prince Kaybee, Presss and new local act Semito from Botshabelo.
The Tshepe Hip Hop concert on 5 October 2018 will see the titans of rap Emtee/Sjava, Nadia Nakia, Nasty C, A Reece, Beast lead the pack with Mangaung’s finest Cadastofic, Frog, Mokash, Thembile Thembile, Castino and Thwenny, Lost Onez, Venuushka and 2 Zero also billed to perform.
The heavens will open up at the Gospel concert on 7 October 2018 with a rousing line up that includes Lebo Sekgobela, Benjamin Dube, Neyi Zimu, Women in Praise and Andiswa along with Free State’s shining talent Dynamic Life Worshippers, Teboho, Thabo Lebeko, Thoko Nogabe, Keorapetse and Tshepiso Mpotle.
It will be a night of uproarious laughter and fun at Comedy Night on 10 October 2018 Joey Rasdien, Mashabela Galane, Tieho Khakhau, Mpho Popps, Summary, Noko Maswete, Trevor Gumbi, Chris Mapane and Piyet step up to the microphone and deliver their stand up comedy.
An all female line up at the Divas concert on 12 October 2018 brings to the fore Free State Divas featuring Thiwe, Ntsiki, Noxy and Nomathemba showcase their talent against the best in South Africa, Kelly Khumalo and Zonke, Tiwa Savage from Nigeria and Brandy of the USA.
Festival director Mario Sefo comments: ‘We have spent months curating what’s on offer at Macufe. We obsess with quality and seek out just what South Africans love and enjoy and you’d agree that this line up over the five days is premium entertainment, not only from the Free State and the country, but the continent and the world. We look forward to seeing revellers from all over the world descend on Mangaung for yet another memorable Macufe.’
Sefo warns festival goers against false advertising for Macufe accommodation. The festival does not deal with accommodation and guests are urged to be vigilant when booking/arranging for accommodation.
Ticket prices
Hip Hop (Tshepe) (5 October 2018) R100
Gospel Concert (7 October 2018) R170
Comedy (10 October 2018) R190
Indoor Jazz (11 October 2018) R240
Divas (12 October 2018) R280
Main Festival (13 October 2018) R350
