SA: WOMAD unveils dates for Joburg and Cape Town mini fests

Launched in 1982 by Peter Gabriel, WOMAD has successfully brought the ethos, sights, global sounds and rhythms to 32 countries around the world to an audience of millions.

The Cape Town leg will be held from 1 to 6 October, with a special Desmond Tutu United 4 Humanity concert on 4 October featuring Ladysmith Black Mambazo, PJ Powers, Zolani Mahola, Arno Carstens, Hilton Schilder & Shaheema Lakay, Joep Pelt and Soweto Soul. It will also feature film screenings, workshops, storytelling and various other exciting activities.

“This is the third year since WOMAD was first hosted in South Africa and it is an important one for us as we celebrate important historical South African milestones, which present opportunities to reflect on the past and look to the future with a superb offering of performances, workshops and collaborations of cultural diversity and social cohesion,” WOMAD SA festival director Dan Chiorboli said.

WOMAD Johannesburg will take place from 10 to 13 October, featuring masterclasses by blues guitarist Joep Pelt (Netherlands), balafon master Mamadou Diabaté (Mali) and Australian indigenous rapper DRMNGNOW, as well as a workshop by flamenco guitar virtuoso Raul Rodriguez (Spain). It will include performances will also be held by Joep Pelt & Soweto Soul (Netherlands/SA), Thuthukani Cele, Klaus Ambrosch (Austria) and Nomfusi (South Africa)

Chiorboli added: “We have committed to investing in the inner city’s rejuvenation plans by bringing our international and local artists into multiple venues to drive the arts and culture element. We realise that there is a much deeper context at play and firmly believe that this is the right thing to do in order to boost socio-economic development plans and bring culture back to the inner city. The international artists will perform and collaborate with local artists at The Marabi Club, The Rand Club, Niki’s Oasis, Untitled Basement, Troyeville Hotel, Pata Pata and AMPD Studios.”

Meanwhile, the 2024 edition of WOMAD’s main festival took place in Charlton Park, Wiltshire, England, from 25 to 28 July, with African artists making up the bulk of the line-up.

The full programme to the Cape Town and Johannesburg shows can be found here and here, respectively.