By Emily Setona
BLOEMFONTEIN – The iconic Macufe Festival is officially back and this time, it returns with renewed purpose and a bold provincial mandate.
Speaking at the relaunch on August 1, MEC for the Free State Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation (DSACR), Zanele Sifuba, said Macufe had been reimagined to meet the moment.
“Macufe, as one of our flagship programmes, could not escape the need for repurposing. We are finally here, but the journey ahead is still long,” she told a packed audience.
Sifuba emphasised that Macufe will serve as a platform to nurture local artistic talent, promote unity, grow tourism, and strengthen the cultural economy from the ground up. “It exists to shine a light on creatives, to celebrate who we are, and to drive transformation through the arts,” she said.
The 2025 edition of the festival will take place in September to coincide with Heritage Month—an intentional alignment, Sifuba noted, with national efforts to promote healing, identity, and inclusion.
Free State Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae struck a defiant tone, declaring, “We owe no one Macufe. It belongs to the people of the Free State. Those waiting for us to fail—let us fail and learn. We will get back up.”
Free State MEC for Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs (DESTEA) and Finance, Ketso Makume, reinforced Macufe’s economic significance. “When Macufe thrives, our entire department benefits. It boosts tourism, supports SMMEs, and injects life into the provincial economy,” he said.
Among those welcoming Macufe’s return was Mrs South Africa Free State finalist Siyasanga Mophethe, who spoke with warmth and nostalgia: “Macufe has always been part of the Free State. Welcome back, Macufe!”
The relaunch also spotlighted growing partnerships with the private sector, cultural institutions, and community organisations. Sifuba confirmed continued collaboration with the Free State Gospel Music Awards and the Lingao Choral Music Association, stressing that the department’s mandate can only be fulfilled through collective effort.
As it returns to the calendar, Macufe brings with it more than just entertainment—it brings the weight of heritage, the pulse of the people, and the promise of economic and cultural renewal.
