MACUFE’s death, burial and unveiling by politicians

Staff reporter

Bloemfontein — When the Mangaung African Cultural Festival (MACUFE) started in 1997, as an initiative of then MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture Webster Mfebe, the event attracted thousands of locals and international tourists to the Free State.

The festival grew year after year. Apart from the revenue it generated for the province, it became a platform where talent could blossom.

Music took centre stage, while arts and crafts, drama and theatre added colour and diversity to the festival.

Soccer, or football, added another layer to MACUFE’s tourism appeal. At its peak, Bloemfontein struggled to accommodate the influx of visitors, with some tourists having to find accommodation as far away as Kimberley.

But then came the first major blow.

MACUFE was moved from the Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation to the Department of Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (DESTEA), and what followed can only be described as a disaster.

The tender was awarded to Bashumi and nothing worked, Macufe was pushed back to SACR.

PACOFS

The Performing Arts Centre of the Free State (PACOFS), under the stewardship of Dr Nathan Bagarette, led from the front until he was dismissed alongside Steven Murison and Johnny Jansen over what were described as frivolous and concocted charges.

Fast-forward to the post-Covid 19 era, and the courts began taking centre stage. The decision to move MACUFE from October to September only made matters worse.

The 2026 edition is perhaps the clearest evidence yet that the once-mighty giant of the Free State’s cultural calendar has been reduced to a shadow of its former self.

At one point, tickets were discounted in an apparent attempt to lure more people to the festival . Even that failed to breathe life into the event.

What was once a festival that brought the Free State to life, filled hotels and guest houses, created opportunities for artists and generated much-needed economic activity has steadily lost its shine.

And while politicians may continue to unveil, relaunch and repackage MACUFE, the reality on the ground is difficult to disguise.

The withdrawal of Salief Keita and Thandiswa Mazwai ain’t helping.

The giant is dead. It’s even using Lemo Park and Rose Garden as venues. These two venues are used by C-squared and Lemo Mall in October for amuch resources festivals that SACR should be supporting.

Rest in peace, MACUFE.

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