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By Thabo Mosia
Mangaung, Free State – The long-awaited return of the Mangaung African Cultural Festival (MACUFE) has been confirmed for 2025, according to Zanele Sifuba, the Free State MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation. During an interview on the 55th episode of The Current Review on Central News, MEC Sifuba highlighted the importance of MACUFE’s return after a hiatus. The festival, which has long been a cornerstone of the Free State’s cultural calendar, was suspended following legal battles, logistical challenges and issues surrounding the tender processes.
Background and announcement
During her speech, Sifuba underlined the cultural and economic importance of MACUFE, recognizing its role in promoting Free State talent while attracting national and international attention. Although 2024 was initially planned as the year for the festival’s return, complications led to its cancellation, much to the disappointment of local businesses, artists and stakeholders. The event will now resume in 2025 under a reimagined vision, which will focus on broadening the scope of cultural engagement, tourism and business opportunities.
Zanele Sifuba urged the public to support the Lemo Festival and the CUFA Festival, two important cultural events that will replace MACUFE in 2024, both scheduled during the traditional MACUFE dates. Sifuba assured the audience that the 2025 festival would deliver an experience that encompasses both the cultural and economic spirit that MACUFE has always embodied.
Tebogo Kotsi’s call for MACUFE 2024
In an open letter written five months ago, Tebogo Kotsi, a prominent figure in the Free State’s entertainment industry, expressed his frustration at the continued delays and uncertainty surrounding MACUFE. Kotsi had previously urged the Free State Ministry of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation to prioritize the return of the festival in 2024, highlighting its potential economic impact. He pointed out that businesses, hotels and the hospitality industry were already preparing for the event, in anticipation of a significant financial boost. Kotsi argued that canceling the 2024 edition would lead to significant financial losses for local businesses, especially those in the hospitality, entertainment and tourism sectors.
“MACUFE is more than a festival: it is an international brand,” Kotsi noted. “It attracts audiences from across South Africa and beyond, and its absence this year is a significant blow to the local economy.”
Kotsi also suggested that to bring back MACUFE in 2024, a march should be organized comprising all stakeholders from the arts, tourism and recreation sectors. He lamented the department’s lack of engagement with local promoters and artists and called for more inclusivity and collaboration in the planning process.
Legal issues and court decisions
The cancellation of MACUFE for 2024 followed legal disputes over the award of the tender. A landmark judgment in April 2024 by the Free State Division of the High Court concluded that the tender process conducted in 2022, which awarded the management of the festival to C-Squared Group Pty Ltd, was fair and lawful. The court rejected the allegations of irregularities made by the DS Consortium, which had challenged the decision. This verdict ended the legal impasse and paved the way for future editions of the festival to be planned without further legal challenges.
The 2022 tender process had caused delays in preparations, and when the legal ruling was finalized in April, the department was left with little time to organize the 2024 festival. As a result, MEC Zanele Sifuba decided to reimagine the festival for 2025, focusing on a renewed and inclusive approach to the event.
Economic impact of MACUFE
MACUFE has long been a key driver of economic activity in the Free State, attracting more than 16,000 visitors annually and generating millions in revenue for local businesses. A study conducted by the University of the Free State from 2009 to 2015 highlighted the significant economic benefits of the festival, especially for the hospitality sector. The research shows that restaurants, guesthouses and liquor stores in the Free State saw a significant increase in sales during MACUFE, with guesthouses and accommodation providers in Mangaung Township benefiting the most.
The economic importance of the festival cannot be overstated. MACUFE has historically created hundreds of part-time jobs, provided a platform for local artists and contributed to the Free State’s wider cultural identity. These factors mean that the festival’s return is highly anticipated, not only by artists, but also by local businesses that depend on the economic windfall it brings.
The reimagined vision for MACUFE 2025
According to the MACUFE 2024 final presentation, plans for the 2025 festival include a broader focus on African cultural heritage, with a renewed emphasis on inclusivity and talent development within the Free State. The festival offers new additions such as a golf day, an international rugby match, a marathon and a cultural festival. Additionally, the traditional line-up of popular MACUFE events, including the Gospel Fest, Comedy Festival, Main Music Fest and Fashion Show, will continue to be at the heart of the revamped program.
The department has also outlined a strategy to make MACUFE a self-sustaining entity by 2027. This includes the creation of a MACUFE Institute, which will be responsible for nurturing local talent and ensuring the festival continues to develop. The institute will serve as a development platform for Free State artists, providing year-round training, exposure and opportunities for collaboration with national and international acts.
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