2022 FAQ

We are delighted to welcome everyone – artists and visitors – back to Makhanda for the first time in two years.

THE PROGRAMME

There is no printed programme this year. This is partly to reduce the risk of Covid, but largely to reduce the Festival footprint. What that means is that all information about the programme is found on our website.

The site itself has undergone some changes to make it easier to navigate. Click the category that most interests you on the top menu bar to view the shows. Each show includes a genre to help you make your decision before booking, and if there is a particular genre you’re most interested in, you can filter the programme to display only those productions.

By clicking ‘All Shows’ on the top menu, you get additional options to view shows by date or as a calendar.

VISITING WITH CHILDREN

The range of shows on offer includes a number of productions that are family friendly. You can filter the programme on the website according to genre. Selecting ‘Family Friendly’ will display all shows that are suitable for younger audiences.

NAVIGATING THE WEBSITE

How do I log in?

Click on the LOGIN button on the top menu. If you have forgotten your password, click ‘Lost your password?’ and a new one will be sent to your email address.

Where do I find my shows?

All the shows you have bought will be listed on the MY SHOWS page (link in top menu).

How do I register on the site?

If you are a first-time visitor to the website, click on LOG IN, and fill in your name and chosen password in the registration box. You will be sent a confirmation email. You can also add shows to your basket without being registered, and your username and password will be created for you during the checkout process. These will be emailed to you with your order.

BOOKING AND TICKETS

Please note that we are strongly discouraging cash. Wherever possible, please use an alternative form of payment.

We strongly advise that you pre-book for the shows you want to see. Due to Covid restrictions, we are expecting all performances to reach capacity far quicker than before.

How do I book?

All bookings happen on our website.

In order to book shows, you will need to be logged into your account. If you have forgotten your password, click on ‘lost your password?’ to reset your password. If you are a newcomer you will need to register.

Once you’ve logged in, click on ‘all shows’ on the menu bar to browse through what is being showcased at the Festival this year. You can also opt to view only Main, Fringe, vFringe or Jazz performances.

In addition to using the website, you can purchase your tickets at the Monument Box Office from 1 June. During the festival, additional Box Offices are located at the Village Green and Rhodes Theatre. Tickets are also available for purchase at the door 30 minutes before the start of performances.

NB: Before starting to book, please make sure you know what you want to see and when – once you start filling your basket you won’t have time to still be deciding on your shows! Get your Fest schedule planned – then go online to book. If you can’t decide on all that you want to see, book the must-haves and come back later for other tickets.

Do I need a printed ticket?

Note that the ticketing system is paperless. You will receive a QR code via email which will be scanned at the door. Should you wish to print out your tickets, you are more than welcome to do so.

How do I pay?

In 2022, we are actively discouraging the use of cash. All door sales will have card facilities.

You can use the following options to make payment:

Online: Credit Card, Debit Card, Instant EFT, Snapscan

At The Box Office: Credit Card, Debit Card, Cash, Snapscan

At The Door: Credit Card, Debit Card, Cash

Can I get a refund?

We regret that no refunds on tickets can be made for late arrivals.

In the unfortunate instance where a show has to be cancelled, your tickets will be refunded. Contact the Box Office for assistance with this.

The National Arts Festival cannot make other refunds or undertake to resell or exchange tickets.

Concessions

Concession price tickets are only available online or at the box office.

You can only purchase a concession price ticket if you are a pensioner over the age of 60, or a scholar or a student with a valid student card.

WHAT CAN WE LOOK FORWARD TO?

EXHIBITIONS

There are several powerful exhibitions installed this year. These are all free of charge. In addition, most of them have ‘Artist Walkabouts’, where you will be able to engage with the artist about their work. Note that these are scheduled and you will need to book for them.

CURATED JAZZ

To view the jazz programme, simply click on the ‘Jazz’ category on the top menu. This will pull all curated jazz performances into one display.

FRINGE PRODUCTIONS

The Fringe is back with a vengeance! Tickets for Fringe performances can be purchased in the same way as for those on the Main programme.

VFRINGE

For those unable to be in Makhanda – or for those who want to watch something from the comfort of your own couch – vFringe has you covered. This is all VOD (video on demand) which can be accessed any time during the festival.

Browse the vFringe event pages, choose what you want to see, add the shows to your basket by clicking the ‘Buy Ticket’ button. Checkout and you’ll receive a confirmation email. Make sure you’re logged into the site, make your way to the event page and click on the play icon on the video window.

You are able to watch vFringe shows a total of 5 times, so don’t stress if your battery dies, or if you are suddenly hit by loadshedding.

We’ve put a lot of effort into making all content as data-friendly as possible, without compromising on quality. You will need approximately 1GB for an hour of streamed content.

VILLAGE GREEN

Take a break between shows and visit the Village Green. From crafts to buskers, there are dozens of stalls and a great vibe!

HOPPERS

2 Hoppers are in operation from 8am to 9:30pm throughout the Festival.

They are driving a circular route between Rhodes Theatre and the Monument building. There are 2 additional formal stops at the Botanical Gardens and at the footpath.

There is no charge for the use of the Hoppers, but tipping is encouraged.

View the map here.

YOUR STAY IN MAKHANDA

ACCOMMODATION

For those looking for accommodation options, or for things to do in and around Makhanda, visit Makana Tourism.

WATER & MAKHANDA

Water is a valuable resource, particularly in the Eastern Cape where the drought is ongoing. Please use it with care and speak to your accommodation provider about what they have in place to manage water on their premises.

COVID PROTOCOL

Rhodes University Venues

Please be aware that Rhodes University has a vaccine mandate, and ticket holders for shows happening at any of their spaces on campus will need to show either a vaccine certificate, a negative rapid test no more than 72 hours old, or a certificate that states you have had COVID-19 in the last three months.

Should you not have a vaccination certificate, a rapid test facility is located at The Old Goal (40 Somerset Street), and the National Arts Festival has organised that ticket holders can be tested for R50. The test result is available in 2 minutes and is valid for 72 hours. The Festival test site, offered in partnership with the Rhodes University Department of Biotechnology will be open from 9am to 4pm daily over the period of the Festival.

Should you be in the position that you have purchased tickets to any of the shows affected, and you do not have a vaccine certificate and don’t want to take advantage of the rapid testing, the festival will refund your tickets. Please contact our helpdesk on 0860 002 004 or info@nationalartsfestival.co.za

The vaccine mandated venues are:

Rhodes Theatre

Rhodes Theatre Foyer

Rhodes Box

Great Hall

The Hangar

Beethoven Room

Nuns Chapel

Studio Gallery 1

Studio Gallery 2

Tryall Cottage

The Raw Spot

African Media Matrix

Rhodes Red Foyer

Social Innovation Hub

Rhodes Department of Fine Art

Other Venues

The National Arts Festival does not have a vaccine mandate at any other venues except those on the Rhodes University campus, but masks are mandatory when indoors. All indoor venues will be operating at 50% capacity and will be sanitised between shows.

Please note that in keeping with the evolving policy environment on the management of COVID-19 this may change according to any new legislation or safety requirements. NAF will always ensure that we are 100% compliant with the law and will do our utmost to protect the well-being of our visitors and participants.

View our comprehensive Covid protocol here. For further information, please contact our helpdesk on 0860 002 004 or info@nationalartsfestival.co.za

You can carry your vaccination certificate in digital form by registering on https://vaccine.certificate.health.gov.za

Be sure to do this with your vaccination certificate to hand as you will need the vaccination card code to complete the registration.

For further information, contact info@nationalartsfestival.co.za or 0860 002 004