The vibrant echoes of music, art, and culture will once again fill the streets of Mangaung as the long-awaited Cultural Urban Festival Africa (CUFA) makes its triumphant return.
The return of Macufe Festival under the new name, Cultural Urban Festival Africa (CUFA) marks a huge milestone for the people of Mangaung and the entire province of the Free State.
The 10-day cultural festival which was entangled in a big legal battle following a three-year hiatus returns to kick-off an entire province’s economic outlook albeit in a different format as a privately-owned event.
This is because government who owns the rights to the name Macufe has pulled out as the owner, allowing one local businessman, Ben Moseme to be the sole festival organiser.
The festival, scheduled to run from October 3 to 13, was officially launched at the picturesque Naval Hill, with a gathering of notable guests, including Deputy Ministers Peace Mabe and Makhotso Magdeline Sotyu, alongside Free State MEC for Sports, Arts and Culture, Zanele Sifuba.
Local businessman Ben Moseme, now the sole organiser, took centre stage to express his frustrations over governmental neglect in recent years, highlighting the challenges faced in securing support for an event deeply rooted in community pride.
“It is not a good position to be writing letters and making presentations and having sleepless nights trying to activate or execute something that is for the betterment of our province. You get the leadership that does not recognise receipt of a document or a letter and to date you are launching in the backyard of similar leaders and you still do not have a response. You need to keep a strong face and you go with the flow and you realise that as an African man, you are on your own,” he said.
As the revitalised festival transforms the City of Roses into a vibrant hub of entertainment, visitors can anticipate an eclectic mix of activities ranging from music and comedy shows to soccer matches and women-inspired dialogues, effectively converging diverse elements into a celebratory potpourri.
Prominent artists set to grace the festival, with performances include the likes of celebrated figures such as Zonke, Lira, and DJ Zinhle, alongside an exhilarating showcase from the Scorpion Kings, featuring the renowned DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small who are poised to take festival-goers on a musical journey through the pulsating sounds of Amapiano.
In her welcoming address, MEC Sifuba underscored the festival's role in fostering social cohesion within the community.
“If we do not strive to build a nation, then we will just be a bunch of people living on this land,” she asserted, emphasizing the Department's commitment to support the festival's overarching goal of nation-building through culture and art.
Deputy Minister Mabe echoed sentiments about the festival's community impact, calling attention to how such events contribute to community development and a shared sense of belonging.
“Festivals contribute to community development and social cohesion by fostering community pride,” she remarked, highlighting the transformative role that culture plays in society.
With this year's CUFA festival on the horizon, residents of Mangaung and visitors alike can expect an exhilarating culmination of diverse artistic expressions, reinforcing the essence of a rich cultural heritage and the unwavering spirit of a community ready to thrive.
In a decisive turn of events, C-Squared Group Pty Ltd, owned by Moseme, has been granted the rights to host the much-anticipated CUFA Festival following a drawn-out legal battle.
This ruling was cemented by the Free State Division of the High Court in April 2024, which upheld the legality and fairness of the tender awarded to C-Squared for the management of this vibrant event.
Moseme said CUFA Festival will now infuse an African-inspired spirit, a vision that he is committed to bringing to fruition.
In his remarks following the court's decision, he emphasised his ambition to transform the festival into an African event that transcends geographical limitations, ensuring its appeal resonates across the entire continent rather than confining it to the Free State region.
Saturday Star