The Makhado Show Grounds will come to life when a colourful contingent of artists arrive in town for the second annual Africa Day Reggae Festival (ADAFRE) tomorrow (Saturday).

The festival, which is organised by AfreeCa Resort, provides a sound development platform for the growing demand of African entertainment and crafts that continue to be ignored by mainstream promoters and exhibitors in South Africa, said the event producer, Murendeni Ramunenyiwa.

“We also believe that it is high time that rural South Africa takes advantage of the sleeping giant that is the cultural economy to solve socio-economic problems affecting our country,” he said. According to Ramunenyiwa, the one-day event will provide platforms for local bands, arts and culture groups to showcase their crafts while intergrating the diverse cultures, their rich unique traditional practices, historical inheritance and traditional food through the arts.

“The festival will bring trade to the rural areas, thus fast-tracking the much-needed community development and empowerment for local communities through the arts and culture,” he said. “We also want to sustain this event, so that the local arts businesses continue to have viable opportunities annually. There is a Grahamstown National Arts Festival, so we need to create that kind of a project right here in Louis Trichardt, and also make sure that we sustain the project.”

Ramunenyiwa indicated that the main stage would feature live performances by artists such as the reggae legend Colbert Mukwevho, P-Postman, Kenny Marabi, JahMan Tshiganzha, Ras Humbu, Ras Mulweli, Ras Ntshenge, Code, Kenny Marabi, P-PostMan, Muofhe, Ras Nethomboni, Khakhathi, BlackJahman, and Ras Father. The festival also aims to provide a platform for performance to local artists by sharing the stage with artists from other provinces as well. “We know that music is a universal language,” Ramunenyiwa said.

On the other hand, the festival will bring heavyweights such as the Durban Nyts, Mizo, Niprol, Da. L.E.S, Don P, Nicodermic, Listo-SA, Lil’Archie, Ramzee, Ndi Yellow Mah, Amila Decious, Gintonic Da Colly, Catcher, Dezazo. The MCs of the day are Jimmy da Scratcher and Cody.

Tickets are available through Computicket at R40. However, they are also available at the gate at R50 per head, VIP R100, and VVIP R350. The gates open at 12:00.