EBUBELENI FESTIVAL BRINGS GQEBERHA TO LIFE

BY LOLWETHU LEEU

THE annual Ebubeleni music Festival is finally back!

The festival had to be suspended in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Organisers managed to keep the brand alive,hosting small monthly events which were a build-up towards the main event in December.

This year the artist line-up boasts the country’s creme de la creme of music the annual Ebubeleni Music Festival returns to its original date on December 30 after two years of lockdown restrictions.Artists include Gqeberha-born Zonke Dikana, Ami Faku, Vusi Nova and Phinda, Makhadzi, Msaki, Mandisi Dyantyis, Nomfundo Mho, Musa Keys, K.O and 10 other locals.

Ebubeleni music Festival Organisers will also usher in the 2023 in style on January 1 when Sjava, Berita, Samthing Soweto and Simmy take to the stage at Victoria Park for New Year’s Day in The Park

“The positioning of this event at the end of the year provides homecoming entertainment to all those who work and study far away in big cities like Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban,” Mahambehlala Communications managing director of marketing and publicity Tembi Mahambehlala said.

“The festival attracts festinos from all over the country.”

In December 2020, the festival took to the small screen for the first time when it struck a partnership with Channel O to have a pre-recorded version of it air on the channel.

The event was recorded under strict Covid-19 regulations at the Boardwalk Hotel over two days and aired on December 30, with Nelson Mandela Bay artists and famous faces including Somizi, Kamo Mphela, Sao Matrix, Zain SA and Nomcebo Zikode entertaining viewers.

Over the 10 years of Ebubeleni’s existence, the festival can pride itself for contributing immensely to the economy of the city and province through visitors attending the event increasing tourism numbers, creating temporary jobs and the use of event service providers, providing a platform for local artists to showcase their talents and earn some money while bringing entertainment to the people of the Bay during the festive season,” Mahambehlala said. .

“The Ebubeleni Festival forms part of the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality’s annual summer season programme and is the only long-standing annual cultural flagship event in Nelson Mandela Bay.”

Tickets for the festival on December 30 cost R250 and R200 for the New Year’s in The Park.

Tickets can be bought on Webtickets or from Pick n Pay and Boxer stores.

Tickets to GQ Socials-New Year’s Day in the Park are available at Webticket, Pick n Pay and Boxer. There is special offer of R200 which is extended until the 10th of December thereafter tickets will sell at R300 for general ticket, Cooler Box ticket is R100 and R1000 for VIP.
Gates open at 10:00am and will end at 7:00pm.