EXCLUSIVE STORY Maskandi and Xigaza Now Officially Recognized as Genres on DistroKid In a groundbreaking development for South Africa’s traditional music sector, Maskandi and Xigaza have now been officially recognized as standalone genres on DistroKid — one of the world’s leading independent music distribution platforms. This milestone marks a significant victory for artists, producers, and cultural custodians who have long advocated for the proper categorization and global recognition of indigenous South African sounds in the digital music economy. For years, musicians working within Maskandi and Xigaza were forced to upload their music under broader or incorrect genre categories, limiting discoverability and reducing their ability to reach audiences actively searching for these specific sounds. The update now ensures that artists can accurately tag their work, making it easier for global listeners, curators, and streaming platforms to find and appreciate the richness of these...

  The Silent War in South Africa’s Creative Sector By Thami aka Mbongo Manzana In South Africa we know this game. We have seen it before. We have lived it before. Divide and rule is not a theory to us — it is history written on our bodies. Under apartheid, the lines were clear. They did not hide the system. They told you where you belong. Whites knew where they stood. Blacks were pushed to the margins. Coloureds were placed in between. Indians were boxed and labelled. The cruelty was open. The enemy was clear. It was the apartheid regime. It had a name. It had laws. It had uniforms. We fought it because we could see it. Today, we say we are free. We say we are democratic. We say this is a new South Africa. But when you look closely at the Cultural and Creative Industries — at the theatres, the councils, the funding bodies, the festivals, the sector representatives — you begin to feel something familiar. The language has changed. The faces have changed. But the spirit of divide and ...

Vhembe Artists, This Is Your Moment: Learn How to Take Your Music Global On 11 March 2026 , Vhembe becomes the centre of Africa’s digital music conversation as DistroKid Spotify Africa , in partnership with the Vhembe District Office of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture Limpopo , hosts the first of a FREE Digital Distribution Workshop series . Taking place at the Prof NV Ralushai Main Library Auditorium in Thohoyandou , this hands-on workshop is designed to demystify digital music distribution and empower artists with the tools and knowledge to earn from their craft in the streaming era. Who Should Attend? This workshop is open to traditional artists , independent and emerging artists across all genres , as well as established musicians looking to better understand the digital landscape. Producers, DJs, composers, beat makers , and both aspiring and established artist managers are strongly encouraged to attend. If you create music, manage talent, or support artists in any way...

  The Rise and Fall of International Film and Theatre Production in South Africa By Paul Noko Over the past decade, South Africa has positioned itself as a premier filming destination. Cape Town, with its stunning landscapes and modern infrastructure, has hosted blockbuster productions such as Mad Max: Fury Road, The Last Face, and numerous Netflix projects. Johannesburg, with its gritty urban settings, has attracted a mix of local and international productions, while provinces such as KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, and Mpumalanga are increasingly utilised for their unique natural environments. This growth has brought significant economic benefits, including job creation, skills transfer, and infrastructure development. The South African government has also introduced tax incentives to encourage international filmmakers and theatre-makers, making it financially attractive to shoot films or stage productions in the country. The Hidden Cost: Exploitation of Local Artists and Crew Despite th...

  2026 CCI Sector Clusters Launch: Big Announcement, Bigger Questions The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) and the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie , have announced the inaugural launch of the 17 Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI) Sector Clusters , positioning it as a landmark moment meant to reshape and strengthen South Africa’s creative economy. On paper, the language is ambitious: collaboration, sector growth, transformation, and sustainable economic impact. In practice, however, many practitioners across the CCI value chain are more confused than inspired. Money Was Allocated — But Where Is the Accountability? It is public knowledge within the sector that individual clusters received between R1.2 million and R2 million . Yet, practitioners on the ground report that they remain largely in the dark about what has actually happened within many of these sectors since the funds were released. At the Bosberaad , Minister McKenzie was explicit: fo...

Capacity Building at the 10th Tembisa Theatre Week From 21 February to 01 March 2026 , the 10th edition of Tembisa Theatre Week stands as a powerful declaration: community theatre is not surviving — it is building. For ten years, this festival has existed against the odds. Out of those ten years, only two editions received funding , while eight were delivered without financial backing . That reality alone speaks volumes about commitment, sacrifice and belief in community arts development. This year marks a turning point. The festival is funded by the National Arts Council of South Africa through the Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme (PESP 6). It is a reminder that when public resources meet consistent community work, growth becomes possible. But beyond the ten productions on stage, what truly defines this year’s edition is its robust Capacity Building Programme — entirely FREE OF CHARGE.                    Image  Source: ...

After Listening to SAGA at AFDA Johannesburg — The Sector Has No Excuse to Stay Silent By Thami aka Mbongo Manzana On the 17 February 2026 at AFDA Johannesburg, I did not hear a radical demand. I heard a sober, well-argued, legally grounded call for clarity. After listening carefully to the presentation by the South African Guild of Actors (SAGA) , I left convinced of one thing: this is not an actors-only issue. It is a sector-wide turning point. And if we fail to engage now — if we fail to submit inputs, attend meetings, and support structured reform — we will once again allow decisions about our industry to be shaped without us.                       Image  Source: SAGA The Problem We Have Normalised For years, creative workers have operated in contradiction. We are called “independent contractors,” yet: We are directed. We are controlled by production schedules. We are bound by contracts we often have no power to negotiate....

La Biennale di Venezia / The Lions for Biennale Danza 2026 Bangarra Dance Theatre Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement Mamela Nyamza Silver Lion The Bangarra Dance Theatre, Australia’s leading First Nations performing arts company, is the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement of Biennale Danza 2026, becoming the first company and First Nations performers to receive the award.  Mamela Nyamza , the South African dancer, choreographer, director and activist is the recipient of the Silver Lion. With Bangarra Dance Theatre and Mamela Nyamza, Biennale Danza acknowledges artists who have transformed, evolved and brought new urgency to the language of dance, infusing it with the vital force of the respective cultures of their origins, deeply connected to the rhythms, landscapes and symbols of ancestral traditions. “Since the start of my directorship – writes the artistic director Sir Wayne McGregor – I have aimed to profile and advocate for the outstanding artists and companies whose influe...