The event, the National Arts Festival has been centered in the small town of Makhanda, formerly known as Grahamstown, which continues to exude a unique atmosphere that defies easy description. This town boasts a population of remarkable individuals and a rich tapestry of South African history, intertwined with its own set of socio-economic and political hurdles. However, there is a lesser-known fact about this town.
Renowned for its religious architecture, Makhanda features the Anglican Cathedral of St Michael and St George, standing at an impressive 150 feet (46 meters) and incorporating a section of the original church (1824-30_, St Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church (1836), as well as the first Baptist and Methodist chapels of South Africa
Delving deeper into its history, Makhanda is the namesake of Makhanda Ka Nxele, a Xhosa leader and warrior-prophet who spearheaded a significant assault on the British in Grahamstown in 1819 during the prolonged Frontier Wars between the Xhosa people and British colonizers.
Moreover, Makhanda is renowned for its donkeys, earning it to nickname “donkey town”. Like any other South African town or city, Makhanda faces far of inequalities.
Despite its challenges, there is a rich cultural abundance that it has to offer, with charming bars, cozy restaurants, and art venues. One must not miss visiting The Black Power Station and the Amazwi South African Museum of Literature (formerly known as the National Literary Museum) when in Makhanda. These attractions truly showcase the town’s cultural richness.
In addition to its cultural offerings, makhanda is also home to the renowned National Arts Festival. Believe it or not, there is even more to discover in Makhanda.
So, make sure to be there and experience it firsthand, or you’ll surely regret missing out!