South Africa’s most loved homegrown family festival, Umtiza Arts Festival, is bringing together art lovers and artists from the Eastern Cape this week when it gets underway from the 25th to the 29th May, showcasing extraordinary works reflecting the paradigm shift of the artistic landscape not only in South Africa but around the world.
Since the outbreak of the Covid 19, our creative industries have endured the worst effects of the pandemic, therefore it is with great pleasure that we welcome our patrons back to salute the courage and perseverance of the South African arts community.
This multi-disciplinary Arts Festival is a popular platform for local entertainers, musicians, singers and artists as it showcases local talent on a big stage with a global audience.
This year’s programme will feature some of the arts industry’s biggest showstoppers, the likes of Msaki, Jimmy Dludlu, Ami Faku, Litha Nokwali and the Umtiza Jazz Band among others.
The festival will also host a series of events from comedy, theatre, literature and song virtual torrent of shows, exhibitions, lectures and children’s activities.
Umtiza Arts Fest is family-oriented and caters to all ages with the aim of imparting the intrinsic value of the arts in turn contributing to nation-building and developing our local Creative Economy where South Africa’s Youth will be national carriers in a Post-Covid-19 world.
We also have our Invitational Umtiza Jazz Ensemble which will feature local and guest jazz musicians and perform with Jimmy Dludlu.
Featured will be the Wild Coast Trio with Clement Benny, Zuko Yigi, Vuyo Mjindi and featuring the likes of Bra Retsi Pule, Neteske Horton who teaches at Stirling and Trumpeter Sakhile Simani.
“My first encounter with the Umtiza Arts Festival has come full circle ever since I was a feature in the Umtiza Fringe stage with Keiskamma Music Academy. It is such an honour to return this time to the main stage and to do workshops with the community. For me, it’s like going back home and being part of this great vehicle that always incorporates the community and involves a lot of entities,” said Msaki.
She added: “Any opportunity to play at home replenishes me like no other space can.”
Alongside Msaki, other headline artists include Dumza Maswana, music and dance presented by the Sonwa Sakuba Institute for the Performing Arts, afro soul superstar Ami Faku and Jazz legend, Jimmy Dludlu amongst others to take the many stages during the week.
Initially took place in May 2016 and was an outstanding success appealing to all age groups and to every segment of the community.
Umtiza Arts Festival brings Public Culture and the Creative Economy to life in Buffalo City while boosting Tourism.
The East London Guild Theatre, East London Museum and Ann Bryant Art Gallery will again partner in hosting the Umtiza Arts Festival later this month
