Marula Festival an explosion of fun

The 17th Marula Music Festival was a great success with accommodation facilities fully booked, restaurants packed, and revellers from all over the country attending the Open Air Concert. Saturday morning started with festivalgoers running the PMC Marula Family Marathon. In the evening the famous music event proved a success with a massive crowd in attendance.

This year, only Limpopo artists performed and according to the CEO of Limpopo Tourism Agency, Moses Ngobeni, the organisers decided to empower local artists as they were the hardest hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. The Queen of Limpopo, Makhadzi left no stone unturned with her performance, she was full of the energy that her fans have grown to love. She started her performance by joining Xitsonga disco king, Penny Penny to perform their song ‘Milandu bhe’ and the energetic duo kept everyone on their feet.

Also read: Marula festivities in full swing

Some of the musicians in the lineup were Dr. Tumi, Dr. Winnie Mashaba, Henny C, Pleasure Tsa Manyalo, and Phalaborwa-based artist Motlanalo. The programme directors of the event were radio presenter, Mpho Matshita and Geb. Ngobeni told the Herald that the Marula Festival is more than the activities, they want to expand the possible uses of the Marula fruit. “There is so much we can do, make jam, oils, skincare products, and even atchar. In Brazil, they are importing fruit from Namibia to make a range of products.

“As the tourism industry, we are currently in talks with stakeholders and communities to see how we can produce and preserve this special fruit and ultimately grow the local economy,” he said. Ngobeni further outlined how Covid-19 delayed plans to buy Ingwe Park just outside of Phalaborwa where they hope to create a home for the marula. He further said that the government has already allocated the funds to purchase and believes it will soon be a reality. On Sunday afternoon, a Soul Session concert at Wildevye Park concluded the festivities.