Boipelo Mere
The two day Izingqi Zovuyo festival at the Northern Cape Theatre was an enormous success. Veterans from the arts industry delivered masterclasses in dance, theatre, music and scriptwriting for television and stage in July 2026.
Presented by the multi-award-winning musical theatre academy Amandla Dança Teatro ZA, the annual festival was classified as an intergenerational event.
The festival offered a vibrant celebration of dance, music and cultural exchange tailored for children and young people.
Inspired by ASSITEJ South Africa, the event showcased both local and international artistry featuring indigenous instruments—such as the mbira, uhadi, xylophone, brass and African drums—accompanied by multidisciplinary dancers, singers, actors and musicians, many of whom are serving as workshop facilitators.
The two-day lineup featured some of the region’s best young performers including !Xunkhwesa Primary School choir, the current provincial SASCE Folklore Champions and The Last Knock, a production by the Sol Plaatje University Drama Club fresh off their run at the National Arts Festival (NAF) in Makhanda.
Festival presenters Amandla Dança Teatro ZA, in association with Bisi B Creations, were also celebrating recent accolades after bagging two prestigious awards at the NAF.
The group scooped both the White Ovation Award and a Bronze Ovation Award for their new musical, IREOLUWA: The Goodness of the Creator and staged their official homecoming performance during the festival.
The Bisi Bangiwe Ka Jobela co founder of Amandla Dança Teatro ZA and Curator of Izingqi Zovuyo Festival said the success was built behind the scenes by graphic designers, cleaning crew for keeping the space clean, facilitators for parting skills to the upcoming and professionals in the arts. “They made it possible for the artists on the line up to ensure that they give their best on the Jackson Shuping stage at the Northern Cape Theatre. The audience came in numbers to support their favourite performers,” said Jobela proudly.
“People left the venue full filled with hope as they were inspired. We had audiences from Galeshewe, Kimberley, Platfontein, FS, GP and EC. The festival achieved its purpose a clear and visible movement of Unity”, he concluded.
One of the audience members and theatre and art lover Onalenna Sellwane described the festival as an electrifying experience. “After watching IreOlúwa. I am in absolute aura of the sheer excellence of this production, It confirms for me the birth, the culmination and the prosperity of the creative sector in our glorious city of Kimberley an affirmation that this too is a place where dreams can thrive,” expressed Sellwane.
“Shoutout to the Amandla Dança Teatro for holding Kimberley and its artists to the light.”
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