Most exciting ever Marula Festival on cards

The 12th Marula Festival is anticipated to be the best ever with scores of visitors, local and international, expected to crowd Phalaborwa from 23 February to 4 March.
Speaking during the media launch of the festival in Phalaborwa last Friday, MEC for Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (Ledet) Seaparo Sekoati said that revellers should brace themselves for a thriller and much improved programmes of activities lined up for this year’s festival.
“We will kick-start the festival on Monday, 23 February with a street carnival comprising various cultural groups and including the South African National Defence Force, from the town of Phalaborwa to Impala Park Stadium were the festival will take place. On 24 February we will host a group of professional chefs to prepare a four course meal for dignitaries at Impala Park Stadium. We are also going to have a 4×4 Challenge and Community Marathon on 25 February and Career Expo and Trade Fair and Exhibition on 27 February,” he said.
Entertainment highlights include the Kwaito and Hip-Hop Festival that features among others award winning AKA, Emtee, Mi Casa, Mdu Masilela and HHP on 25 February at Impala Park Stadium. The popular Gospel and Jazz open air concert on 4 March will feature the world renowned musicians like Salif Keita, Hugh Masekela, Zonke, Caiphus Semenya, Letta Mbuli, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, King Monada, Benjamin Dube, Worship House, Brothers of Peace and Trompies.
Tickets for both open air concerts will be available at Computicket at the subsidised amount of R150,” Sekoati informed.

In order to meet the demand for he traditionally brewed and highly popular marula beverage the 13 cooperatives under Mukumbi industries, supplier to the festival, will prepare 12 000 litres of the beverage. “We want people to enjoy the festival and its benefits. We believe that the cooperatives will deliver those numbers of litres. What makes us happy is that these are women-owned cooperatives and they contribute to the development of the marula industry into an all- year round activity. Currently, more than 1 500 rural women derive direct and indirect benefits from the seasonal marula activities between January and March every year around all districts of the province when taking into account the harvesting activities and supply to Distell, a partner that we are constantly engaging to assist the province in the sustenance of this industry,” Sekoati concluded.
Karl Schutte, Global Marketing Manager at Distell Group who was present during the launch said they are proud to be part of the Marula Festival which he described as an economic intervention.
“We are also proud to assist in relieving the need of the villages that harvest the fruit. That is so rewarding. In excess of 60 000 people currently benefit from our harvest, from collecting the fruit to extracting the nuts for oils and proteins used in an array of products. It is this involvement with the people that holds the key to a rewarding and sustainable future for all,” Schutte said.
He also added that the festival is a celebration of the abundance of the season and the harvest of thanking the ancestors. “The festival showcases ordinary people doing exceptional things and creating the variety of extraordinary products of the fruit of the Amarula,” Schutte remarked. Ba-Phalaborwa Mayor Pule Shayi said they are ready to host tourists and revellers who will be in the area during the festival.

Story & photos: Herbert Rachuene
>>herbert@mailbox.co.za

Featured photo: Seaparo Sekoati, MEC for Economic Development, Environment and Tourism about to taste some of the marula beer prepared for the upcoming festival. With him is cooperative member Josephina Hlongwane who prepared the beverage.