FOLKLORE FESTIVAL 2025
FAMILY DAY | 13 SEPTEMBER
FOLKLORE FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES 4TH EDITION UNDER THE THEME #KINFOLK
Celebrating Deep Cultural Connection and Belonging Through Music, Storytelling and
Heritage Preservation on South Africa’s Heritage Month.
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – The highly
anticipated 4th edition of the Folklore Festival is set to return on 11-13 September 2025,
embracing the powerful theme of #Kinfolk
– a celebration of the deep, meaningful connections that bind us as a community
rooted in African culture and heritage preservation.
The
concept of "Kinfolk" extends far beyond blood relations; it speaks to
the spiritual family we create through shared stories, traditions, and cultural
experiences that have been passed down through generations. In a world
increasingly fragmented by digital disconnection and cultural erosion, the
Folklore Festival's #Kinfolk theme calls for a return to authentic belonging –
to the rhythms that pulse through our collective memory, the stories that shape
our identity, and the sacred knowledge systems that anchor us to our ancestors
and guide us toward our future.
This
gathering represents more than entertainment; it is a homecoming where cultural
custodians, emerging artists, and community members unite to strengthen the
threads that weave us together as one people, celebrating the profound truth
that our individual stories are most powerful when they become part of our
collective narrative.
ARTIST DEVELOPMENT AND CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM
For the first time ever, the 2025 Folklore Festival introduces a comprehensive Artist Development and Capacity Building Program designed to nurture emerging and established cultural
practitioners. To include
Industry Showcase Opportunities:
·
7 August 2025: Black Labone's Earth
Day in Pretoria featuring the annual Folklore Folk & Poetry Stage.
·
11 September 2025: Industry Night
Showcase with cultural curators, promoters, festival owners, venue owners,
labels and producers. Registration links: https://qkt.io/FolkloreFestival11SeptIndustryShowcase
Featured Artists for Development Program:
The program will showcase emerging talent including:
Sabu Jiyana (Johannesburg) – After 17 years ofrecording, performing and touring the world, Matimba Frontman Sabu Jiyana has made it his personal mission to take his audience on a journey through the
African continent through a sound he has coined "The Pan-African
Sound."
Safe Energy (Johannesburg) – An emerging band from Johannesburg bringing fresh energy to the South African music scene with their distinctive sound and authentic artistic expression.
Siba Sarabi (Gqeberha) – A rising artist from
the Eastern Cape bringing unique cultural perspectives and musical innovation
to the contemporary South African music landscape.
Le Mpendulo (Pretoria) – An emerging proudly
Ndebele talent from the capital city, representing the new generation of South
African artists committed to cultural preservation and modern expression.
NeAhtyah - Zintle Mbuyazwa (Cape Town) – A Cape Town-based
artist whose work also bridges traditional and contemporary sounds,
representing the Mother City's rich musical heritage.
MandiFeze à Duo (Johannesburg) – A collaborative
musical partnership exploring the depths of African folk traditions through
harmonious storytelling, poetry and authentic cultural expression.
Tap Percussionist (Pretoria) – A skilled rhythmic
artist bringing the dynamic energy of tap percussion to traditional and
contemporary musical arrangements.
Darlianoh (Pretoria) – An emerging artist whose unique
approach to folk music
represents the evolving landscape of South Africa’s culturally rich sounds.
Folk & Poetry Stage Headliners:
The
stage will be headlined by established artists Tubatsi Moloi, Pilani Bubu and Phila Dlozi,
who bring years of experience and mastery to the festival:
Tubatsi Moloi – A South African singer-songwriter influenced
by blues, jazz, rock and African folk music, inspired by artists Guy Buttery,
Philip Tabane, Bob Dylan and Zim Nqawane. His music asks audiences to be
open-minded and exploratory. With notable collaborations with Msaki on the
joint album "Synthetic Hearts."
Pilani Bubu – An indelible storyteller, singer-songwriter,
TV presenter, and creative entrepreneur who has graced the global stage for the
past decade, captivating audiences with her enchanting melodies, astonishing
vibrato and spoken word. Known for songs deeply rooted in South African
heritage with a unique voice and cohesive global sound she calls "jazzy
folk soul."
Phila Dlozi – A prominent artist taking the folk music
streaming by storm, with up to a 78.8K monthly listeners on Spotify, known for
collaborations with major South African producers and bringing contemporary
African sounds to global audiences.
A Comprehensive Workshop Series:
The festival launches its very first capacity building workshops covering Artist
Development, Publishing and Distribution, Branding, Promotion, Event
Production, Indigenous Instruments & Folk Styles, and African Storytelling
through Literature, Poetry, Film and Art.
Artistscan sign up for our programming via the below links:
Thursday 7
August, Pretoria, State Theatre:
https://qkt.io/FF25BlackLaboneFolkAndPoetryShowcase
Thursday 11 September, Johannesburg, NSATheatre:
FOLKLORE FESTIVAL
Building Community Through Collaboration
Folklore Festival is all about building community through collaborations that celebrate and embrace diversity! At the heart of it is storytelling, intergenerational dialogue and showcasing and sharing our Indigenous Knowledge Systems through music, poetry, literature, art, and dance! This is more than a music festival! It is a gathering for the whole family which aims to reignite our sense of connectedness and community on South African Heritage Month.
Our Festival Director's way to bridge the gap that exists between the old and the young, the then and now is through a production that not only upskills the pupils of the schools we collaborate with through a skills transfer program, but by way of knowledge transfer which she believes is empowering to our heritage as the young ones are a vehicle to carry our Indigenous Knowledge Systems to the future! Through rehearsals and workshops, the pupils gain insight and the confidence to perform alongside industry professionals for the families and the Folklore Community!
As part of the festival’s agenda towards intergenerational dialogue, we see on the main stage, experimental collaborations in which you can expect a folkloric and nostalgic storytelling fused with modern dance sounds inspired by childhood play songs that resonate with the archetypal inner-child. Paying homage and reference to the dance culture of South Africa in the genres of afro-pop, amapiano, gqom and kwaito weaved with jazz and children’s voices. Elevating the idea of play as a form of learning and exchange. An inspired teaching moment…
Edu-play for Bambinos and Kids
Our ethos for Folklore for Kids is to be a safe environment that cultivates our children's capacity to express, listen, learn, and discover through play and activities. We aim to be a space that encourages families to spend time outside of the home to expose their kids to that which is meaningful. The festival offers a kids play area and kids stage. Whether you are bringing your bambino who is learning to walk, your kid who enjoys being active and another who thrives best engaged in an interactive
activity - our play area with child minders has something for every kid, with soft play, Edu-play and workshops.
Our Book Fair features book readings and signings by African
authors who are passionate about writing enriching and educational stories that the African child can draw inspiration from and learn through.
Not just a music festival!
The activities at Folklore Festival are informed by celebrating our culture and heritage through a multidisciplinary experience from the East, West, North and South of Africa. A music concert on the main stage, workshops, a book fair on the storyteller’s stage, a bambinos and kids area with drumming circles, play time singing and a safe place to leave your kids to play and learn - not forgetting traditional dancers off stage, making for the best sensorial cultural experience!
"Folklore is the expressive body of culture shared and preserved by a particular group of people, it is inclusive of the traditional beliefs, customs, and stories of a community, passed through the generations by word of mouth, in the form of tales, sayings, dances, proverbs, jokes and music captured through various art forms.” Says Bubu.
Growing Audiences for Indigenous Arts & Artists
Folklore Festival curates a lineup of art and artists that showcases elements and tells stories that are authentic and unique to us as Africans. This then creates the opportunity for niche artists who are not in the mainstream to be discovered and appreciated by new audiences through the Folklore Community.
Connecting Crafters and Entrepreneurs to Consumers
We embrace the rich tapestry of our African arts, crafts, curios, fashion, jewellery, indigenous toys, instruments and more at the Folklore Festival Craft Market to showcase and create the opportunity for crafters of unique and proudly African products to meet customers.
Festival goers are treated to a wide plethora of cuisines at the Folklore Festival Food Market to explore delectable food and refreshments by vendors who are passionate about good food!
Join the community
The Folklore Festival was inspired by the SAMA Award-winning album Folklore: Chapter 1 and the realization that there exists a community which celebrates and appreciates culture and Heritage. We will launch Folklore Chapter 2: Ekuseni on 30 November and have Folklore Festival Summer Fringe Shows coming up. Sign up to receive invites and updates, and see you soon!
