The annual cultural, music and sport event
attracts thousands of people from all over the country including the
neighbouring SADC states viz. Lesotho, Namibia, Mozambique etc and most importantly the people of the Free
State province which hosts the event stand to benefit from the economic
spin-offs the occasion brings.
Macufe has the potential to contribute
significantly to the region’s economic development tenfold this year. As it is
customary, during the ten day event the tourism industry will thrive as the
revellers will be exposed to the South African cuisine, African curio shops and
township experience over and above the entertainment from African artists
coming as afar afield as Nigeria as well as USA grammy nominated singers.
This event, since its inception is known for
being a springboard for budding local artists giving them exposure and a
platform to showcase their talent leading them being discovered by big
management companies and music promoters.
Before and during the event, as experienced in
previous instalments of this event business revenue, business profit, personal
wages and jobs go in an upward trajectory giving economic relief to the region
which is otherwise a region hard hit by unemployment.
The hospitality industry in the Free State
province is booming during this period with hotels, b&b’s putting up the
‘full’sign months before the event actually takes place. Revellers resort to
booking at far away[up to 80 km’s away from Bloemfontein where the event takes
place] in the game Reserves.
Celebrating 18
years of bringing world-class local and international entertainment,
this year’s event kicks off with Tshepe
Hip Hop, a youth targeted battle of DJ’s, to be held at The Dome (Old Grey
Sports Ground) on Friday 2 October. Featured are J Cob; Maths; Papa Zee;
Naycha; The Fratenity; Frog, AKA; Anathi; Reason; Ab Crazy; HHP; Dunamis; DJ
Dimplex; Dj Shaxe; DJ Waxx; and Dj Two Zero.
Saturday, 3 October will be
reserved for Miss Free State Glamorous evening at Bloemfontein Showgrounds.
Sunday, 4 October will be set for intensely moving songs and anthems of praise, worship and hope at The Dome, Old Grey Sports
Ground. Spiritually charged performances by Mzansi’s top gospel
singers led by S’fiso Ncwane; Benjamin Dube; Connie Lamola; Teboho; Tshepiso;
Kgosi; Israel Mosehle; Mike; Bakamela; Keorapetse; Nkosi Dumako; Umsingizane,
Thoko; Pulse of Joy; Lejweleputswa Gospel Choir, and Sechaba.
Monday, 5 October to Friday
9 October for a free entrance at Markgraaf & Elizabeth Streets, tourists and locals will be treated to arts
and craft boasting Mzansi’s diverse cultures. On the same week, young and aspiring artists
will showcase their talents in Theatre, Drama and Poetry at Civic Theatre,
Musicon.
Wednesday, 7 October
will be for lots and lots of laughter when Mzansi’s
top comedians belt it out at The Dome.
Thursday, 8 October, will be jazz gurus at The
Indoor Jazz to be held at the Dome. Led
by nine times GRAMMY nominated American saxophonist, Dave Koz; Nigerian born guitarist – Kunle; Cuban band
Sierra Maestra and Victor Kgantlape.
Friday, 9 October, will be The Divas Concert featuring American R & B songstress Tamia; and our own ladies – Lira, Maleh and Bucie. The concert is also at the Dome.
On the same day will be an All
White Party at Macufe Urban Youth Festival at a venue still to be announced.
The line-up consists of Black Coffee; Ricky Rick, Sphectacular & Naves;
Naked DJ; Mo Flava; Lootlove; Finzo; Shaxe; Major League; VJ Nutty.
Headlining at the Main
Festival, Rose Gardens on Saturday 10 October are Mzansi’s award winning acts
such as Mafikizolo; The Soil; Legendary couple – Caiphus Semenya and Letta
Mbuli; Tshepo Tshola; Jaziel Brothers; Tamia (USA); Dave Koz (USA); Flavour
(Nigeria); Unathi and Free State’s crème de la crème – Bonolo; Tsoakae; Peter
Nthoane and Allay Yen.
On the same Saturday
will be Macufe Corporate Village at Free State Stadium.
As per custom the
event will conclude with the popular Macufe cup that sees PSL team Bloemfontein
Celtics play Kaizer Chiefs on Sunday 11 October at Free-State Stadium.
Macufe’s events never
fail to sell out; so patrons are advised to book their tickets and make early
accommodation arrangements so as to avoid disappointments. Tickets to all
events are available at Computicket nation-wide.
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