SA: Igoda announces festival dates

Igoda (‘to bind together’ in Zulu) is intended to create touring circuits on the continent.

The dates and list of Igoda member festivals are as follows:

• Azgo Festival (Maputo, Mozambique), 16 – 18 May.
• MTN Bushfire Festival (Malkerns, eSwatini), 24 – 26 May.
• Sakifo Festival (Saint-Pierre, Reunion Island), 7 – 9 June.
• Bassline Festival (Johannesburg, South Africa), 23 – 25 May.
• Zakifo Music Festival (Durban, South Africa), 24 May – 2 June.

Artists to showcase their work at these festivals include Sands (eSwatini), Meute (Germany), Alibombo (Colombia), Oliver Mtukudzi (Zimbabwe) and Mandla Mlangeni (South Africa). They will be joined by Maia & The Big Sky (Kenya), Eme & Moonchild (Nigeria & South Africa), Dobet Gnahore (Cote d’Ivoire), Granmah (Mozambique) and Lindigo (Reunion Island).

“These festivals work together in facilitating the movement of artists within the region, thereby exposing them to different audiences,” reads an official statement. “When an artist is booked to perform at one of the member festivals, it opens up opportunities for them to easily perform at the other festivals and tour the circuit during the period.”

The statement adds: “Igoda is an exciting development both for local and international artists, festival professionals, and music fans from Southern Africa and across the world. The touring circuit can offset the high costs of travel for international acts to Africa via increased efficiencies, opening up opportunities for many artists would have not have considered performing in the region before.”

Moonchild Sanelly told Music In Africa that she was excited to be on the lineup. "Sipho Sithole [from Igoda] has worked with legendary people alive and gone and he is like a musical ancestor," she said. "When he recognises you as well, especially in African territories, it's amazing because he doesn't just take anyone under his wing. It's a beautiful thing, I am honoured, grateful and excited. "

About Igoda

Igoda was designed to address social issues through arts and culture. The network has since grown to create a sustainable touring circuit by developing cultural economies in the SADC region with artist exposure, audience development, job and trade creation.