By Daily Kasi News Reporter
The flagship, annual Ebubeleni Festival which takes place over the last weekend of the year, at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha, provides a tantalising backdrop for ushering the New Year with fan-fare. Intentionally produced as an outdoor music event, Ebubeleni is presented and themed as a picturesque picnic setting that’s heavily complemented by the blue, sunny skies and a great South African summer, enhancing Kodak moments for our music-loving festinos.
People from Eastern Cape appreciate the popular and highly anticipated Ebubeleni Festival for affording them yet another chance at homebrewed entertainment, mingling, catching up, see and be seen, as well as letting their hair down among well-known faces. Holidaymakers and a couple of tourists in pursuit of unspoilt beauty, blue flag beaches and historical landmarks in the province, stumble on the festival, its peripheral cultural activity, love it and get hooked!
Aptly named Ebubeleni which means a friendly place. It’s also reflective of the warmth, loving and hospitable nature of our people. They are imbued with Ubuntu they generously shower visitors with. Undoubtedly the biggest selling point of the lifestyle festival. Once exposed to it, music lovers and holiday-makers scramble to get it into their annual bucket list. Gqeberha becomes their destination of choice and musical Mecca for the festive season.
“Through this festival, we are making a concerted effort to revitalise the entertainment, events, SMMEs and tourism industries in Gqeberha and the Eastern Cape Province”
Marc Mahambehlala the event organiser Said: “ Unemployment is rife in our province, If we continue to create employment opportunities albeit for short periods of time, it alleviates the burden of poverty” concluded Marc. Our support comes from all nine provinces as the ticket sales indicate, but our loyal and greatest supporters are from all the nooks and crannies of the Eastern Cape. Proving why it’s the mother of all fests in the entire province is its ability to dish out world class eclectic, captivating music to entertain the festinos.
Ebubeleni is credited with enabling Nelson Mandela Bayto reclaim the slogan “friendly city”. The fest is not only ground-breaking but arguably the biggest in Eastern Cape and longest running in Gqeberha today.
Ebubeleni Festival Cash Injection to the City and Province:-
Over the 11 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 thus increasing tourism numbers, creating direct temporary jobs, the use of event service providers, providing a platform for local artists to showcase their talents and earn some money whilst bringing entertainment to the people of the city and province during festive season.
Artist Line Up: Artists were carefully selected as requested by the festinos some through votes on oursocial media pages. These award winning musicians and artists will be gracing the Ebubeleni Stage and entertaining our loyal fans on Saturday 30 December 2023at the 12th Annual Ebubeleni Music Festival to be held at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha.
Veteran, Afro-Soul Singer, Composer and Producer – Ringo Madilingozi; Lady of Afro-Soul Singer Amanda Back of “Amazulu’ fame; Afro-Pop, Nathi Mankayi ; the KZN Gqom creators – DJ Tira and Dladla Mshunqisi with Cape Town based Gqom Mr.Thela; singer, rapper and actor Sjava; Amapiano songstress – Nkosazana Daughter whose ‘Amaphutha’ song is currently dominating the airwaves; Uitenhage born R&B/Pop Singer Lloyiso; Afro Soul singer – Azana and popular DJ MördaAsante.
Eastern Cape’s crème de la crème, led by the multi-talented baritone – Dumza Maswana; Gospel Singer – Butho Vuthela; Hip –Hop singer Sleeze; Afro-Singer Jooma; Gqom Vocalist – Zintle Kwaaiman; Afro-Soul – Thembi Mona; R&B/Pop Singer-Bevin Samuels; DJs Amber; Dani; Exceedo and Luniq SA.
The event will be directed by Somizi Mhlongo; Mafa Bavuma (Umhlobo Wenene) Reggie Solani (TruFm) and Makaziwe Tsako (KQ Fm).
Ebubeleni Festival is proudly sponsored by the National Dept. of Sport, Arts & Culture, Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency, National Arts Council, Eastern Cape Dept. of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Umhlobo Wenene FM, Tru FM, Mzansi Magic Music and Nkqubela FM. Mahambehlala Communications are the founders and producers of Ebubeleni Festival.
Gates at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium will open at 10:00,the event starts at 12:00 and ends at 02:00. Strictly No under 18s, Food & Beverages will be sold at the venue, Cooler Box must have a Cooler Box Ticket, No Glass , No Weapons, Sharp Objects & Firearms | No Pass-Outs & No Refunds | No Entry after Midnight (00:00), No Cooler Box Entry after 20:00.
Tickets are available from webtickets, Pick n Pay and Boxer stores. All Specials are sold out but the general tickets costing R355 and VIP tickets at R2000 per person are still available.
Daily Kasi News 