Ebubeleni Music Festival organisers are bringing out the big guns and making the 2022 Heritage Day an all-white musical affair in Gqeberha.
The latest on the famous festival organisers’ calendar is the inaugural All-White Heritage Day Picnic on September 24.
Though set to be an intimate do, the day boasts a stellar line-up of musicians headlined by Gqeberha’s own Zonke Dikana.
Dikana, known for sold-out shows in her hometown, will lead the pack, which includes Sama-winning songbird and fan favourite Nomfundo Moh, internationally acclaimed neo-soul singer Bongeziwe Mabandla, gifted afro-soul vocalist and member of famed acapela trio The Soil, Ntsika Ngxanga and Gqeberha-born songstress Putuma Tiso of Joyous Celebration , who will bring a touch of gospel to the picnic.
These nationally and globally acclaimed musicians each boast a strong fan base in Nelson Mandela Bay’s music-loving communities and the wider Eastern Cape.
Ebubeleni and Mahambehlala Communications’ decision to line them up together on one stage promises to provide a vibrant celebration of heritage in the city.
Some of Gqeberha’s best home-based talent will also take to the stage, including popular DJ duo Hermanos, DJ Lorna Targaryen, much-loved bhaca-soul maestro Joliza Magayiyana and vocalist Siya Koyo.
Umhlobo Wenene presenter Mafa Bavuma and Mmeli Notsh will be the day’s programme directors.
Marketing director Tembi Mahambehlala said the event, like the main festival held in December annually, aimed to entertain music lovers while creating employment and boosting the city’s tourism sector.
“This lifestyle event is aimed at celebrating Heritage Day while creating employment opportunities for our artists, SMMEs and PDI service providers, vendors/food trucks and local establishments like B&Bs, hotels, fuel stations, restaurants/fast foods, liquor stores and so on, who will all benefit from visitors and locals who will attend the event,” Mahambehlala said.
She said tickets were already being bought from as far as Gauteng, the Western Cape and all over the Eastern Cape including East London, Komani, Qonce, Makhanda, Port Alfred, Jeffreys Bay and Kirkwood.
Annually, September 24 sees South Africans don traditional wear and celebrate the nation’s cultural diversity through food, music and dance.
Though the event theme is all-white, Mahambehlala said guests were to include a touch of traditional wear to their outfits.
“South Africans celebrate the day by remembering the cultural heritage of the many cultures that make up the population of SA.
“Various events are staged throughout the country to commemorate this day [and] this is a great addition to Nelson Mandela Bay and Eastern Cape’s events calendar.
“Attendees and the artists [are] encouraged to dress in all-white but add a touch of heritage/cultural attire,” Mahambehlala said.
There will be various African traditional foods at the venue and an arts and craft exhibition market will showcase creations such as beadwork, jewellery, local traditional designers’ clothing items and visual artists.
Since early 2022, the festival organisers have kept Gqeberha music lovers on their feet with an array of events throughout the year.
These include the Gqeberha Divas Concert headlined by Ami Faku, The Healing Gospel and Afro Soul Explosion headlined by Kelly Khumalo and the Jaziel Brothers in May, the Evening of Jazz concert with greats like Mandisi Dyantyis, Selaelo Selota and Dumza Maswana in June.
The All-White Heritage Day Picnic will be held at Victoria Park. Gates open at 9am and the event will run from 11am until 6pm.
Tickets cost from R295 at Webtickets, Pick n Pay and Boxer stores nationwide.
No under-18s will be allowed due to alcohol sales inside.
The event is funded by the National Lotteries Commission and supported by the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency, Nkqubela FM, Ebubeleni Festival Projects NPC, Event Hire Network and Mahambehlala Communications.
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