LIKE the new Electricity minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, who is expected to fix the ailing Eskom and promised the country “we will fix loadshedding” that sounds like a new lease of life, so should Mahika Mahikeng.
The popular cultural music festival makes its inevitable return to the masses of Mahikeng (been thirsty for entertainment) after hiatus due to politics and corruption that plagued the festival.
Now all that has been forgiven, it has been scheduled from March 17 to 19 at the Mmabatho Stadium Parking Lot.
With a budget of R10,5 million from R30m, a service provider has been appointed and approved to organise the 5th iteration of cultural fest, on behalf of the arts, culture, sport and recreation in the NW province.
“We are pleased and excited to inform you that the Department has appointed a service provider to implement Mahika-Mahikeng Arts and Cultural Festival for a period of three years at R10.5m per year,” ACSR Head of Department, Itumeleng Mogorosi, told a media conference recently.
Local acts in the past, complaint bitterly that they were overlooked but, it seems all has been sorted, considering the line-up.
Mogorosi agrees local artists will benefit from activation programmes that will take place.
“In terms of the artists, the programme is two-fold; we’ve got fringe stage for developing artists and we’ve got professional stage which will be our main stage.
The local artists will benefit from district activation which will happen in the four districts of this province and in the fringe stage, which will be created on the day of the festival, and those that are semi-pro and ready to become professionals, a few of them will be provided with that platform of the bigger stage as part of that development,” he says.
The week-long fest seeks to bring economic development and revenue spin-offs to Mahikeng and other adjacent poor- areas; through direct and indirect job opportunities, tourism emancipation, hawkers, and so, on.
On Friday- first day of the festival will be focused on gospel, with the legendary Joyous Celebration headlining the show, supported by Bucy Radebe, Manana Ramogae and Tumisang Seleke, and others.
On Saturday, its an evening of soulful Jazz, featuring iconic headliners, Zonke and Ringo supported by Ayanda Jiya, Dee Afrique, Aus Tebza, so will be other local acts.
Sunday- the acclaimed Motswako rapper Motlapele “Mojo Man” Morule, AKA Mo’ Molemi, (The Scorpion Kings), the Amapiano duo Kabza Da Small and DJ Maphorisa, will share the stage with the likes of Maglera Doe Boy, Areece, DBN GOGO and other emerging artists.
All the performances will be staged at the Mmabatho Stadium Parking Parking Lot Dome.
“Attracting people from all over the country will have significant economic impact for the local communities, and it is a great opportunity to promote tourism into the province, and to Mahikeng specifically. It will create a benefit to the hospitality industry as there will be an influx of people into the province who will be coming to attend the festival,” says Thabo Mabe- chief director at the department.
North West born and bred legendary artist & actor, Stoan Seate says the “department has gone through great strides to ensure the upliftment of the local communities within the province. We encourage the citizens of North West to be patriotic and continue to embrace platforms created by government that benefit the community”.
In seTswana- sa feleng sa be setlthola (no direct translation) hence the imminent return of Mahika cultural fest that will breathe a new lease of life to its citizens!
Tickets are available at Computicket/Shoprite.
Image supplied (Stoan Seate who was MC at the Mahika Mahikeng media launch held in Jozi).
