Kwasuka Sukela, Building Bridges 2024 a day-long festival of arts, culture, fashion and food aimed at the whole family is presented by NAC in partnership with hot toffee communications, Shukus Greenleaf Estate, Msunduzi Municipality and Msunduzi Library Services at Shukus Greenleaf Estate, Foxhill in Pietermaritzburg on Saturday 15 December from 10am.
This entertaining festivalfeatures storytelling, music, poetry, an art exhibition, fashion, crafts, live performances, food and some children will be given an opportunity to come enjoy the fun as part of the event’s charity drive. A “Kidz Zone” has a jungle gym, jumping castle and a mobile library to keep the little
The line-up includes celebrated and legendary artists includingstorytellers –Dr Gcina Mhlophe and Mzwandile Ntombela; music performances by legendary legendary jazz and Zulu folk blues artist Dr Madala Kunene, and legendary guitarist Themba Mokoena, award-winning Mthobisi Mthalane, Khethi Ntshangase (Reunion Island), Pretty & The Music, Undivided Roots, Zolani G and Tribe of Afro andEssentials. Poets include Sthembile Thingo Gwala and Nkululeko Mdladla, and a host MC’s Ayanda Seoka and Ndu Zondi to keep the entertainment well-oiled.
A visual art exhibition curated by Dawn Melanie features work by Dawn, Lelo Mncwango, John Rogers, Meleney, and Brian Zondi of Da Brian Photography (the Creative Director of the festival), Dj’s: KBZL, Ladee M and Usduhmore. There will also be exhibiting fashion designers and crafters. Poetry and visual arts competition winners from an initiative run by hot toffee will also feature, and Msunduzi Library services will have their Mobile Library at the venue.
“The idea of this festival came out of the need for us to celebrate local artists,” says Pretty Olifant, from hot toffee marketing. “Our city, is constantly losing talent to other major centres, and we are wanting to create viable opportunities for artists to benefit from us hosting events.”
“Our aim is to create and grow business opportunities with emerging businesses around Umgungundlovu,” says Olifant. “We hope to promote the arts as a way of life, and to encourage our people to tell and share their stories as a means of cultural preservation.”
“Our theme for the year is Shifted Perspectives,” continues Pretty. “We explore Shifted Perspectives through an African spiritual context, and we look forward to welcoming our audience to celebrate this with us.”
Tickets range from R50 to R450, and are available at web tickets on this link here or Pick n Pay outlets or at the gate.
