Mzansi Youth Media together with the KZN Department of Arts & Culture presents UMkhumbane Maskandi Festival. 

UMkhumbane is going to be the one of the world’s most acclaimed tourist attractions after the completion of its R75 million ultra-modern Cultural and Heritage Museum, as well as a memorial of King Goodwill Zwelithini KaBhekuzulu’s mother, Queen Thomozile Jezangani Ndwandwe Zulu.

The establishment of UMKHUMBANE MASKANDI FESTIVAL is to celebrate this initiative while strengthening investor relations in the area for the benefit of local economic development and mostly to educate people about the richness of Zulu Culture.

Most of you may know that South Africa is home to eight of the 981 World Heritage Sites which are recognised by the United Nations Educational and Scientific Organisation as places of outstanding cultural and historical importance.

This concept aims to provide maximum ultimate touring venture for the locals and the touring public; offering quality edutainment experience during the September Heritage Month.

The ultimate aim is to create a stable, responsible and fun-filled Heritage Month that is educational yet entertainment for Cator Manor, fusing the rich history, culture, world-class Maskandi music and local cuisine, thus make Cator Manor one of the Heritage sites which is recognised as place of outstanding cultural and historical importance.

The staging of this event shall project Cator Manor as the value-for-money and alternative tourist’s destination. On the day of the festival there will be stands dedicated to tourism information and investment opportunities associated with Cator Manor.

Department of Arts and Culture in partnership with the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government will on Sunday, 17 July 2016 host the Phuzushukela Memorial Maskandi Festival at Emhlane Wengwenya Sport Fields, Nkandla in KwaZulu-Natal. Funded through Mzansi Golden Economy (MGE), the Festival aims to celebrate Phuzushukela Bhengu for his immense contribution to the promotion of South African Maskandi Music. The Mzansi Golden Economy is the Department of Arts and Culture’s strategic policy that seeks to reposition the arts, culture and heritage sector as a key player in government’s programme of action towards creation of sustainable jobs, building audiences and skills development.

Born at Nkandla in Southern Zululand on March 24, 1930, Bhengu popularly known as Phuzushukela was the first South African rural recording artist to come to prominence. By the late 1940s, the legendary Maskandi Music icon had already achieved a measure of local fame in street music competitions through his integration of a traditional song with guitar. The technique and originality was soon employed in the izihlabo – the introductory instrumental flourish, and the rendering of the ukubonga, the declamatory centrepiece which might praise family, clan, chief and fame.

His vision and artistry in the genre had a vast influence on many household names like, Mgqashiyondlovu, Jonny Clegg, Busi Mhlongo, Bhekumuziluthuli, Phuzekhemisi, Bhodlozanzimande, Inganezoma, Shwinomtekhala, to name but few. As we celebrate 22 years of democracy, it is inevitable to ignore that under the influence of these artists, the size and stature of Maskandi music in the South African music landscape became unquestionable. Maskandi musicians currently and historically enjoy the iconic status in the South African music industry.

Over the years, Maskandi Music became a platform through which South Africans and migrants shared their feelings of exploitation during South Africa’s unjust political history of segregation and grievances of the then working conditions. While Maskandi music is an art-form, its significance in society is beyond music and it’s undoubtedly part of South African popular culture. Maskandi music has over the years inspired a lot of people to take stock of their right and fight against the regime over the years and continues to inspire. Undoubtedly, Maskandi music is a part of South African popular culture.

Maskandi fans around the country will for the first time enjoy their favourite sound at the highly anticipated Durban July at the weekend.

The Masiqoqane Durban July Maskandi Festival, which is the brainchild of Masiqoqane Albinism Foundation, will make its debut at this year’s horseracing and fashion event.

The event, by the foundation which advocates for the rights of people living with disabilities, will be hosted at Durban Station next to Sassa offices on Saturday.

Expected to perform at the festival will be Khuzani Mpungose, Bahubhe, Amageza Amahle, Ithwasa Lekhansela, and Amavikelambuso, among many other maskandi household names.

Also billed to feature in the event are veteran radio host Linda Sibiya, Khuzani Mpungose, Dr Bone, Zakwe and Duncan as the organisers go all out to attract nationwide patrons.

Event organiser and radio presenter Andile “MC Pholobas” Ngcobo said the Masiqoqane festival aims to raise funds to sustain the foundation’s awareness campaigns.

“Masiqoqane always holds its events in July. This year we thought we could do it differently and attract masses because KwaZulu-Natal is the home of maskandi, but there is no maskanda-focused event at the most attractive Durban July,” said Ngcobo.

Ngcobo added that the event will also seek to discourage myths that kidnapping and killing people who live with albinism for muthi attracts wealth and power.

“The aim is to fight against the killing and abuse of people living with albinism. We hope to raise enough funds and stop the killings.

The distinctive melodies of maskandi music are poised to draw crowds once again to the KZN South Coast, as the 3rd annual Ugu Maskandi Music Festival approaches on Saturday, 30 September at the Ugu Sports & Leisure Centre in Gamalakhe. Backed by South Coast Tourism & Investment Enterprise (SCTIE), this event holds cultural significance as it commemorates the culmination of Heritage Month 2023.

This upcoming festival, anticipated to be the largest one to date, is being orchestrated by Ugu Broadcasting Services in collaboration with the Cultural and Creative Industries Federation of South Africa (CCIFSA), Umuziwabantu Municipality, Ray Nkonyeni Municipality, Vodacom, and SCTIE.

Phelisa Mangcu, CEO of SCTIE, expressed her delight, stating, “We extend a warm welcome to the talented artists and devotees of maskandi music, returning once more to the KZN South Coast for this highly awaited festival. It serves as both a vibrant celebration of our rich heritage and a valuable boost to tourism during this month, spotlighting the KZN South Coast as a prime destination for hosting remarkable events.”

Siyabonga Mkhungo, the director of Ugu Broadcasting Services and the event’s organizer, affirmed that the festival would showcase local talent: “We are thrilled to host this event once more, as we believe we are firmly on the path to establishing a cornerstone event that will become an integral part of Ugu District’s cultural tapestry for many years to come. Our inception of this festival was driven by a clear intention to embrace our Nguni culture and heritage through the medium of art and crafts. This year, the event will give prominence to our local artists from the KZN South Coast, constituting 80% of the festival’s lineup.”

The lineup for this year’s festival features Bahubhe, Mphuphe, Igcokama Elisha, Skweletu, Mageza, Ezechalaha, Amavukela Mbuso, Mjolisi, Ntencane, Khuzani, Lagxabha, and many more. General admission tickets are priced at R100, while VIP tickets can be obtained for R650. These tickets can be purchased online through Webtickets and Ticketpro, as well as at Pick ‘n Pay outlets. Please note that this event is not open to individuals under the age of 18.