National Arts Festival returns to Makhanda with expanded 2026 programme

The 2026 edition will introduce a new late-night music venue at the Great Hall, alongside established festival spaces including the Black Power Station, Village Green, the Long Table pop-up restaurant and the Oldies entertainment hub.

Organisers said this year’s programme aims to showcase a broad range of South African artistic voices, featuring both established performers and emerging talent.

The music line-up includes performances by Thandiswa Mazwai, Msaki, Concord Nkabinde, Soweto String Quartet, Standard Bank Young Artist for Music Ndumiso Manana, Standard Bank Young Artist for Jazz Gabi Motuba, gospel musician Betusile Mcinga, the Bala Family, Nomfundo Moh and Nontokozo Mkhize.

The theatre programme will feature new work by Standard Bank Young Artist for Theatre Jason Jacobs, as well as FAMEHUNGRY by British artist Louise Orwin, an interactive production that unfolds simultaneously on TikTok. International productions also include the Canadian work 2021, which explores digital reconstruction after death, and the Australian circus production Wolf.

Visual arts highlights include Standard Bank Young Artist for Visual Art Bronwen Katz’s exhibition Ta a-b kebab ada kaxu-da, ti khoe-du'e and the MTN x UJ New Contemporaries Award 2025/26 exhibition, curated by Amogelang Maledu. The winner of the award is scheduled to be announced on 26 June.

National Arts Festival Artistic Director Rucera Seethal said the programme reflects contemporary social and cultural concerns.

“This year's Curated Programme is a selection of work that is resonant with the discordant themes of our times. As the global ground moves beneath our feet, coming to the National Arts Festival is a way to find ground, common ground and roots, but also a place to stand in creative unity with others, in real contact and real connection,” Seethal said.

More than 200 new productions will be presented through the Fringe programme, covering theatre, comedy, dance and experimental performance. Artists from all nine provinces are expected to participate.

The Fringe continues to serve as a platform for emerging artists, with the Ovation Awards recognising outstanding productions. Additional support for artists is being provided through the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture’s Mzansi Golden Economy programme, which includes workshops, networking opportunities and engagement with local and international producers.

“The National Arts Festival remains one of the most important platforms for South African artists to claim ground, experiment and share new work,” said NAF Associate Producer Zikhona Monaheng.

“This year's programming balances artistic ambition with accessibility, ensuring that exceptional cultural work reaches audiences across economic and geographic boundaries.”

Festival organisers have partnered with ride-sharing platform CrabaRide to provide lower-cost travel options for visitors travelling to Makhanda. The initiative allows travellers to share transport costs by offering or booking seats in private vehicles.

Ticket prices for festival events will range from R20 to R300.

New additions to the festival experience include the Great Hall live music venue, which will host performances, a bar and late-night DJ sessions. A Festival Canteen will also operate at the Monument Restaurant from 26 June to 4 July, offering low-cost meals to festivalgoers.

The festival remains one of South Africa’s largest arts events and is expected to generate economic activity for Makhanda and the wider Eastern Cape through employment, tourism and spending in hospitality, technical services and cultural sectors.

Contributors: Sisi Nkabinde, Mbongeni Yaka, Muvhango Ndou, Lefa Kgotso and Satiate Chauke