It is all systems go for the 18th edition of the Marula Festival
Music lovers from across the country can prepare themselves to attend the Limpopo Marula Festival in Phalaborwa town, as the activities and line-up is finalised.
The MEC for Limpopo Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET), Rodgers Monama promised that the 18th edition will be bigger than before. Monama was talking during the Marula Festival media launch held at Uhuru Lifestyle Emporium in Polokwane on Sunday afternoon. “The Marula Festival aims to use the various activities to create new job opportunities, thereby contributing to poverty alleviation.
“This is done through blending the festival with other activities other than concentrating only on the marula beverage. These include small enterprise business empowerment, sporting events and a music concert that promotes the rich arts and cultural heritage of the province,” he said. Meanwhile Ba-Phalaborwa Mayor Merriam Malatji said that she is particularly pleased with the fact that Monama said that local small businesses will be empowered through the festival activities.
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“Although this year LEDET seems to be having budget constraints, as they usually allocate around R15m for the event and this year they reduced the budget to R8.1m. “Our local musicians will be in the lineup of the open-air concert. I also ask that as a municipality we prioritise the safety and protection of visitors, as this event is wanted by many municipalities, but we are fortunate to host it every year,” she said.
The festival will start from Friday April 26 to Saturday May 4 at various locations around Phalaborwa culminating in an open-air concert at the Impala Park Stadium. Some of the activities include a cultural parade which will be held at Wildevye Park to Impala Park Stadium on Friday, April 26; a career expo at the Municipal Lapa from April 24-26; a marathon on Saturday April 27 from PMC to Impala Park Stadium, and golf days at Ba-Phalaborwa Golf Course (Hans Merensky) on May 3 and May 4 respectively.
The open-air concert will be held on May 4 at the Impala Park Stadium. Some of the musicians that will be performing include Master KG, King Monada, Makhadzi, Motlanalo, PHB Finest and Dr Winnie Mashaba among others. Tickets range from R200 to R800 for VIP tickets and can be purchased on Computicket.
