The 12th Limpopo Marula Festival is a good reason to visit a province with a lot to offer.
Limpopo Province is once again poised to receive high volumes of people during the 12th Limpopo Marula Festival.
The Limpopo Marula Festival, celebrating the harvest, is a major drawcard for domestic, regional and international tourists.
The festival will commence on Monday, 23 February 2016 with a street carnival. Including various cultural groups and the South African National Defence Force. It will move from the town of Phalaborwa to Impala Park stadium, where the festival will take place. The following day, on 24 February 2016, the festival will host four professional chefs to prepare a four-course meal for dignitaries at a dinner hosted by the MEC of LEDET, Seaparo Sekoati.
Like the previous festival, the 13 co-operatives under Mukumbi Industries will brew 12 000 litres of Marula beverage for the public during the festival. Other than putting the region on the map, this will go a long way in generating much-needed revenue for the municipality and community.
Entertainment highlights include the Kwaito & Hip-hop festival to be held on 25 February 2017 at Impala Park Stadium. It will include names like the award-winning AKA, DJ Emtee, Mi Casa, Heavy K, DJ Shimza, DJ Zinhle, HHP, the legendary Mdu Masilela, Thebe, Brickz and many more.
The festival will culminate in an Gospel and Jazz open air Jazz Festival from 27 to 28 February 2017 that will feature musicians like Salif Keita, Bra Hugh Masekela, Zonke, Caiphus Semenya and Letta Mbuli, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, King Monada, Benjamin Dube, Worship House, Brothers of Peace, Trompies and many more.
Tickets for both open air concerts will be available at Computicket.
The festival will not be complete without the traditional tasting of the first fruit, which will be conducted by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture in Limpopo. The MEC of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, Onicca Moloi, will preside over the provincial build-up event, Ku Luma Vukanyi/Ku Luma Nguva/Go Loma Morula, which will take place at Dzata Museum in Vhembe District on Wednesday, 1 February 2017.
With international guests from across Africa and South America, the festival is aimed at developing a sustainable local economy through industry development. It is a partnership between SEDA, the Limpopo Tourism Agency, Limpopo Economic Development Agency, Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality, Mopani District Municipality, the Office of the Premier, National Department of Arts and Culture, Phalaborwa Tourism Association and Kruger National Park (Phalaborwa).
Limpopo Marula Festival packages are also available on the festival website.
For more information visit www.limpopomarulafest.co.za
The host of Marula Month activities will include the following:
● Media Launch 13 January 2017 Amarula Lapa, Phalaborwa
● Local Festival of the First Fruit/Youth Music and talent search 16 January -10 February 2017
● Maruleng Municipality build-up event planned for the 4 th Feb 2017
● Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality build-up events:
– Majeje T/A – 14th January 2017
– Seloane T/A – 28th January 2017
– Mashishimale – 3rd February 2017
– Maseke T/A – 11th February 2017
– Makhushane T/A – 17th February 2017 Phalaborwa
● Ku Luma Nguva/Ku Luma Vhukanyi/Go Loma Morula, 1 February 2017 Dzata Museum, Vhembe
● Brewing of Marula Beverage (Cooperatives) 20 February-3 March 2017, Ba-Phalaborwa Municipal Lapa
● Fun Fair (Kiddies World) 17 February-4 March 2017 Impala Park Stadium
● Street Parade/carnival 24 February 2017 Park in Phalaborwa Town opposite Caltex Gas Station
● Ba-Phalaborwa Mayor’s Dinner TBC TBC
● 4×4 Challenge 25 February 2017 TBC
● Community Marathon 25 February 2017 Bollanoto Tourism Information Centre
● Trade Fair and Exhibition 27 February 2017 TBC
● Youth Rugby (Bulletjies) 25 February 2017 Groen Skool (Phalaborwa)
● Hip-hop/Kwaito/Youth Festival 25 February 2017 Impala Park Stadium
● Career Expo 27 February-3 March 2017 TBC
● Golf Challenge 3-4 March 2017 Hans Merensky Golf Estate
● Cuisine Ala Marula/Corporate Dinner 3 March 2017 Phalaborwa Airport
● •Jazz Festival 27-28 February 2017 Impala Park Stadium