By Emily Setona
BLOEMFONTEIN – The Free State Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation has officially announced the return of the Mangaung African Cultural Festival (MACUFE), with the 2026 edition set to take place from 3 to 13 September, promising an expanded programme that celebrates South Africa’s rich cultural heritage.
The department confirmed that the festival follows its successful relaunch in 2025 and will once again be staged during Heritage Month, reinforcing its role as one of the province’s flagship arts and cultural events.
According to department spokesperson Tankiso Zola, preparations are underway for what is expected to be a larger and more diverse festival.
“The Mangaung African Cultural Festival (MACUFE) will again be staged from 03 to 13 September 2026 following its successful relaunch in 2025. The festival will continue to celebrate our cultural heritage through a multicultural programme featuring different arts genres, and we encourage festival-goers to save the dates,” said Zola.
The programme will begin with the official festival launch on 31 July before a packed calendar of events unfolds in September.
Comedy and poetry will open the festival on 3 and 4 September, followed by drama, dance and theatre productions from 5 to 10 September. A film festival is scheduled for 6 to 9 September, while a literature exhibition will run from 9 to 12 September.
Music will once again take centre stage during the final weekend, with the Divas Music Festival and an Amapiano vs Hip Hop Music Festival taking place on 11 September. The Main Music Festival will be held on 12 September, before the festival concludes with a Gospel Music Festival on 13 September.
MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Ntombizanele Sifuba, said the department intends to build on the momentum created by last year’s relaunch.
“Undoubtedly, the staging of MACUFE in 2026 will escalate the upward trajectory that the festival took with its relaunch in 2025.
The benefits derived from this festival should always be at the forefront of its objectives: local economic beneficiation, local artists’ participation, tourism promotion as well as social cohesion and nation-building enhancement,” she said.
The department has also committed itself to keeping festival events affordable to ensure broader public participation and greater appreciation of the country’s cultural heritage.
Zola said further announcements regarding venues, detailed programme content and ticket prices will be made in the coming weeks as preparations for the festival continue.
