The National Arts Festival (NAF) is set to kick off on Thursday, 25 June 2026, inviting both local and international audiences to partake in one of Africa’s premier arts events.
The NAF will take place from 25 June to 5 July, showcasing a diverse array of programming across various venues in its host city of Makhanda. This includes a newly established nighttime music venue at the Great Hall, as well as vibrant social gathering spots such as The Black Power Station, Village Green, the Long Table pop-up restaurant, and popular late-night destinations like Oldies.
Rucera Seethal, the Artistic Director of NAF, stated that this year’s Curated Programme features a collection of works that resonate with the dissonant themes prevalent in our current era.
“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 told the NAF Media Team.
The NAF has declared in a press release that the programming for this year exemplifies the festival’s dedication to highlighting a variety of South African artistic expressions, providing a platform for both seasoned and emerging artists.
The music lineup features performances from notable figures such as Thandiswa Mazwai, Msaki, Concord Nkabinde, the Soweto String Quartet, and Standard Bank Young Artists Ndumiso Manana (Music) and Gabi Motuba (Jazz). Additionally, gospel innovator Betusile Mcinga, the popular Bala Family from the Eastern Cape, and rapidly ascending talents Nomfundo Moh and Nontokozo Mkhize will also perform.
The theatre segment includes new productions from Standard Bank Young Artist for Theatre, Jason Jacobs, and British artist Louise Orwin, who presents FAMEHUNGRY, a show that unfolds concurrently on TikTok.
Read all our coverage about the National Arts Festival here
Furthermore, there is a Canadian piece from 2021 that delves into the digital reconstruction of a deceased individual, along with the captivating and audacious circus performance, Wolf from Australia, and much more from South Africa’s most innovative and thrilling performing artists.
In the Visual Arts segment, highlights feature the Standard Bank Young Artist for Visual Art, Bronwen Katz, with her work Ta a-b kebab ada kaxu-da, ti khoe-du’e, as well as the MTN X UJ New Contemporaries Award (NCA) 2025/26 exhibition, curated by Amogelang Maledu. The recipient of the award will be revealed at the festival on June 26.
Artistic and Cultural Development
“The National Arts Festival remains one of the most important platforms for South African artists to claim ground, experiment and share new work,” says Zikhona Monaheng, NAF Associate Producer. “This year’s programming balances artistic ambition with accessibility, ensuring that exceptional cultural work reaches audiences across economic and geographic boundaries.”
Issued by the National Arts Festival, and for more information about the NAF programme, click here.
