THE cultural festival that was formed to promote culture and heritage now also aims to discover and nurture up-and-coming artists.
Azibuye Emasisweni Cultural Festival event organisers revealed that as they are about to host their ninth festival, and will open doors for upcoming events.
Although this year's line-up is not out yet, the festival, which has had performances by top musicians such as Khuzani Mpungose, Mthandeni Manqele and Babo, was launched in Durban, KZN on Tuesday, 5 August.
It will be held at Efaya Sports Ground in Emaphephetheni Village next to Inanda Dam, north of Durban, on 26 November 2023.
Event organiser Mtomuhle Mcambi, who is also Ukhozi FM's radio drama writer, told Daily Sun their event is growing every year.
“We started the cultural event in 2014 to promote culture and heritage. It was also created to give Amaviyo a platform as a cultural wedding song group.
“After we formed the festival, many top artists were interested in it and we have hosted many artists. This year we will also have a line-up with popular artists which we are still going to release,” he said.
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Mtomuhle said during the event's activations they will discover as many up-and-coming artists as they can nurture, and will give them the stage during the event.
“We will have three activations a few days before the event. We host workshops two days before the festival to nurture up-and-coming artists, and we will also give them a platform to perform during the festival,” he said.
Mtomuhle said they will also have workshops with aspirant business people and visit tourism destinations to promote Durban Tourism before the festival.
“We will also give aspirant business people a platform to showcase their businesses during the festival. I’m still negotiating with sponsors, especially eThekwini Municipality and KZN Department of Economic Development and Tourism and Environmental Affairs to sponsor the event,” he said.
