Picture: Taung-born musician, Ntsiki The Guitarist
By BAKANG MOKOTO
1 July 2026- The 52nd National Arts Festival is underway in Makhanda, Eastern Cape, running from 25 June to 5 July 2026. As one of Africa’s premier celebrations of arts and culture, the festival brings together some of the country’s finest creative talent.
This year, Mmabana Arts, Culture and Sport Foundation proudly selected and funded six production teams to represent both the entity and the North West on the national stage. The first three productions are The Suit and the Dress, Ntsiki the Guitarist and Marimba Melodika and have already captivated audiences with outstanding performances, showcasing the diversity and excellence of North West’s creative sector.
Mmabana Foundation spokesperson, Kgalalelo Molotsi said Ntsiki the Guitarist hailing from Magogong village, near Taung, performed to packed audiences, impressing festival-goers with his exceptional musicianship and soulful contemporary sound. Molotsi said another crowd favourite has been Marimba Melodika from a talented youth ensemble from Ikageng Township, near Potchefstroom.
“Their energetic performances extended beyond the theatre as they brought the vibrant sounds of African marimba music to the streets and marketplace of Makhanda, delighting audiences with their infectious rhythms and musical brilliance.
“The Suit and the Dress delivered a deeply moving theatrical experience, tackling powerful themes through compelling storytelling and emotional performances. The production resonated strongly with audiences, leaving many visibly touched by its heartfelt narrative,” she said.
Molotsi further said the festival continues with three more exciting productions representing the province. She added that the Unbreakable Spirit, an energetic dance production celebrating resilience, unity and youth, is currently on stage, captivating audiences with its dynamic choreography and powerful performances.
“Festival-goers can also look forward to two upcoming productions, Africanism, Comedy Show, promising laughter and entertainment and Sober, a thought-provoking theatrical storytelling production. Mmabana Arts, Culture and Sport Foundation remains committed to developing, nurturing and promoting artists from the North West by providing opportunities to perform on prestigious national platforms.
“The entity encourages members of the public to follow its social media pages for daily festival updates, behind-the-scenes content and highlights from each production. Tickets for festival productions are available at: https://tickets.nationalartsfestival.co.za/en/events/1341/unbreakable-spirits,” said Molotsi.
The Guardian 