National Arts Festival Opens Call for 2027 Curated Programme in Makhanda Artists across disciplines invited to submit completed works and works-in-progress for one of South Africa’s most prestigious arts platforms The National Arts Festival has officially opened submissions for its 2027 Curated Programme , inviting artists and creative practitioners with ambitious, innovative and compelling work to put forward their proposals for consideration in Makhanda, Eastern Cape. The call offers an opportunity for artists to become part of the Festival’s flagship curated platform, a programme designed to reflect the most exciting creative conversations, collaborations and artistic developments of the moment. According to the Festival, the Curated platform is where audiences come to “feel the creative pulse of the moment” , bringing together pioneering new work, established artistic voices and unexpected creative collaborations. The programme has historically provided a meeting point betwee...

  The New Leader Set to Shape the Future of the National Arts Festival The National Arts Festival (NAF) has officially announced the appointment of Palesa Kadi as its new Chief Executive Officer, ushering in a new era for one of Africa's most significant cultural institutions. Kadi will officially assume the role on 1 August 2026 , following the conclusion of a successful 52nd National Arts Festival in Makhanda that attracted strong audiences and showcased hundreds of local and international artists.  For many within South Africa's cultural and creative industries, Kadi's appointment represents more than a leadership change, it signals the arrival of a seasoned cultural strategist with extensive experience across government, heritage, broadcasting regulation, communications and arts policy. Returning to her home province of the Eastern Cape, Kadi says leading the Festival is both a professional milestone and a deeply personal journey. "I have attended the National Art...