April 26, 2006
By Thabang Mokoka
THE first-ever Indigenous Homebrew Festival, celebrating traditional South African dance and music, is being held at Newtown's Bassline.
Planned for Saturday, 29 April, entrance is free. The festival is the work of the Jazz Foundation of South Africa and the newly formed Gauteng Cultural Umbimbi (GCU), which is made up of several cultural and traditional organisations.
According to Teresa Settas, of the jazz foundation, the festival's main focus is on restoring Joburg's rich cultural music, which is an essential part of the "diversified rainbow nation".
Traditional dance and musical groups are scheduled to perform, including groups of Khoisan, Basotho, Zulu and Cape Minstrel dancers. Among the performers are an Ndebele group named Lai-Lai, a SePedi group named Makgakgasa, a Zulu group named Abafana Bogedla, and a group known as Phumulo ya Teletsi.
"This festival's aim is to build and grow these traditions, which are constantly ignored by promoters, in order for future generations to share in the joys of our country's cultural diversity," says the jazz foundation's Reggy Zikalala.
Benjamin Mfaba, the chairperson of the GCU, adds that this is just one session showing the assortment and wealth of South African culture; there will be many more to come.
Festivalgoers can look forward to live performances, choreography and creative traditional expression. On the programme is singing; traditional, Indian and gumboot dancing; acoustic instruments like the accordion; and the Zulu guitar, among other events. Food, drinks and crafts will be sold by vendors.
The GCU is made up of African Cultural Heritage Trust, African Cultural Music and Dance Association, Amasiko, Hlanganani Traditional Dancers of South Africa and Iphimbo. It aims to create a strong union within the traditional artistic fraternity and to complement the work done by the artists within the five organisations.
The festival starts at 11am and ends at 6pm, on Saturday, 29 April. For more information, contact the GCU's chairperson, Benjamin Mfaba, on 083 480 3115.
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