SA: Napo Masheane to host Folklore Festival in Joburg

The event, which will be headlined by the festival founder Pilani Bubu and her Folklore Ensemble, seeks to celebrate South African Heritage Day as well as African culture and customs with a diverse pan-African creative offering from across the continent.

“For me to be part of this important and super exciting Folklore Festival I am yet again reminded that there is language going on out there, that aids this continuous conversation around our heritage and culture,” Masheane told Music In Africa. “What you can look forward to is a diversity of storytelling mediums coming together to hold this one conversation of identity, telling our stories through songs, poems, dance moves and echoes – a conversation between young and old.

“I am looking forward to performing some of my poetry with the NSA Orchestra and Choir on the main stage and being the poetic golden thread that interweaves all the performers intentions as the MC. I will also be running a workshop on African storytelling.

Bubu said the festival will feature other activities. “Our kids area in partnership with Ethnikids Books has announced our programme of young African authors at the Book Fair this year. The kids area will also include performance workshops in indigenous instruments, uhadi, drumming and more. There will also be some performance and play with Toys with Roots and its own market with children’s literature and inclusive toys for African children.”

She added: “We are also calling on African food and crafts market vendors with unique and distinct local products to send in their profiles and products to apply for our market, that celebrates innovative small business owners and informal traders. Email vmbardill@gmail.com if you are interested.”

Other confirmed artists include Kenyan traditional instrumentalist Papillion, Lesotho Afro-soul songstress Leomile, and Ghanaian Frafra neo-griot and kologo musician Stevo Atambire.

Tickets to the event can be purchased here.