The inaugural Festival celebrated the official opening and dedication of the 1820 Settlers Monument Building. Operating as a living monument to the cultural heritage of all South Africans, the building contains numerous venues, from a spectacular 1000 seater auditorium to small meeting rooms, including a fully functional kitchen, banqueting area,…Read More

1976’s festival was officially called the Shakespeare Festival. As the name suggests, the programme was focused on fostering an appreciation and enjoyment of Shakespearean drama, and included performances and films of an incredible variety of his works, from Richard III, Macbeth and Othello to A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Romeo &…Read More

Steve Biko, leader of the Black Consciousness Movement, dies in police custody after severe assault, sparking outrage both locally and internationally. His death exposes the brutality of the apartheid security apparatus and becomes a powerful symbol of resistance against oppression. The global response intensifies calls for sanctions and isolation of…Read More

This time called the Five Roses Festival of the Arts after a new sponsorship, the 1979 Festival was produced in collaboration with the then-named Department of National Education. The effect of this collaboration is self-evident in the programme for this year which, in addition to what had become the regular…Read More

1980 was perhaps the first time that the then-named Five Roses Festival of the Arts had a programme that so closely resembled the structure of the National Arts Festival today. The curated programme was filled with Classical Music, Jazz, Opera, Fine Arts Theatre, and Film, and with artists who have…Read More

1983 was a milestone for the National Arts Festival and its ability to showcase and promote indigenous artists. Whilst the Festival has always welcomed art and artists from all backgrounds, ethnicities and cultures, 1983 marked the first year that the Festival was able to place these voices firmly in the…Read More

Affectionately called the Festival of Celebration within the arts community, the 1984 Festival marked the 10th anniversary of the National Arts Festival. It was also the beginning of a long and mutually beneficial partnership with Standard Bank, who took over as the primary sponsors. Now known as The Standard Bank…Read More

A nationwide State of Emergency is declared by the apartheid government, granting sweeping powers to security forces amid escalating resistance and unrest. The measure allows for mass detentions without trial, censorship of media, and the suppression of political activity. While intended to restore control, it intensifies both internal opposition and…Read More

As civil unrest continued into 1987, the Festival continued to use its platform to promote diversity and inclusion for all South Africans. The value of the work done in the artistic sector at this time was profound, and was encapsulated beautifully by Jan Breitenbach’s introduction to the 1987 Festival: “In…Read More

The Fall of the Berlin Wall marks the symbolic end of the Cold War and signals a global shift away from rigid ideological divisions. Its collapse accelerates democratic transitions across Eastern Europe and reshapes international political dynamics. For South Africa, this moment is significant as it contributes to changing global…Read More

The apartheid government announces the unbanning of the African National Congress (ANC) and other liberation movements, signalling the beginning of formal negotiations toward a democratic South Africa. This landmark decision follows years of internal resistance and international isolation. The move allows previously prohibited organisations to operate openly and engage in…Read More

At the start of the new decade, the National Arts Festival naturally reflected on its growth over the preceding fifteen years. In his Festival Message, Professor Alan Crump – Chairman of the Festival Committee – reminded festival goers that the Fringe had begun with just five events in 1978! There…Read More

Nadine Gordimer is awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, recognised for her powerful writing that confronts the moral and social complexities of apartheid. Her work brings international attention to the lived realities of South Africans under segregation, reinforcing the role of literature as both witness and resistance. This achievement highlights…Read More

The assassination of popular ANC and SACP leader Chris Hani nearly derailed the peace process, but Nelson Mandela’s subsequent plea for calm helped secure the transition.

South Africa holds its first democratic elections, allowing citizens of all races to vote for the first time. The election represents the formal end of apartheid and the beginning of a new constitutional democracy. With millions participating peacefully, it stands as a powerful symbol of national unity and transformation. This…Read More

As is often the case, there were a number of programme elements in 1995 that beautifully showcased the arts’ unique ability to encapsulate moments of history and culture. One such installation was the work of that year’s Standard Bank Young Artist for Visual Art – Jane Alexander. Working primarily in…Read More

South Africa formally adopts its new Constitution, widely regarded as one of the most progressive in the world. It enshrines a comprehensive Bill of Rights, guaranteeing equality, dignity, and freedom for all citizens. The Constitution establishes the legal and institutional framework for a democratic society grounded in accountability and the…Read More

 Despite being well into its third decade, the 1998 Festival boasted a number of exciting firsts! On the Curated Drama programme there were no fewer than eight plays written by South Africans. Of the total of 11 productions, seven were premieres. Brazilian actress and playwright Denise Stoklos made her first…Read More

The first festival of the new millennium contained an incredible 227 live performances! The festival committee in that year was a powerhouse of well-known professionals, including: Mannie Manim, Guy Butler, Richard Cock, Marthinus Basson, Khayalethu Lennox Faba, Ingrid Fiske, Vicki Karras, Melanie Hillebrand, Sibongile Khumalo, Mokale Koapeng, Ramolao Makhene, Tale…Read More

Coordinated terrorist attacks in the United States reshape global geopolitics, security frameworks, and economic systems. The impact is felt worldwide, influencing international relations, travel, trade, and policy environments. For South Africa, as part of the global economy, these shifts contribute to changing dynamics in security, diplomacy, and economic interdependence, highlighting…Read More

Building on the success of the previous year’s model, 2003 saw two new sponsors added to the partnership that already included the NAC, EC DSRAC and Standard Bank. This year, the National Lotteries Distribution Trust and the SABC joined the partnership, reflecting the degree to which the Festival had truly…Read More

2004 was a year of milestones – South Africa celebrated 10 years of democracy, the National Arts Festival celebrated its 30th birthday, and Rhodes University celebrated its 100th year. In art, as in life, the celebration was also touched with sadness, as we bid farewell to a beloved member of…Read More

A familiar name appears in a surprising place in the 2006 programme! Former Artistic Advisor, Roy Sargaent appears in a new capacity – as director of Artscape’s The Boy Who Fell From the Roof. Another familiar name should be Churchill Madikida, the 2006 Young Artist for Visual Arts. His exhibition…Read More

For many years, the Jazz programme had been a favourite amongst festival audiences. Despite withdrawing as the primary sponsor, Standard Bank continued to sponsor more niche elements of the programme, including the Standard Bank Jazz Festival, and the Youth Jazz Festival. The Jazz programme, always vibrant and varied, includes performances…Read More

The collapse of Lehman Brothers triggers a global financial crisis, leading to widespread economic instability and recession. South Africa experiences significant knock-on effects, including slowed economic growth, job losses, and increased financial pressure on households and businesses. The crisis underscores the country’s integration into global financial systems and highlights the…Read More

Seasoned festival attendees might have noticed that, in 2012, the programme was slightly edgier and more daring than it had been in the past. Explaining this choice, the new Chairperson of the Artistic Committee Jay Pather, explored the role of the Festival, and the arts, in the contemporary political landscape:    …Read More

Where Jay Pather’s welcome to the 2012 Festival highlighted the innovation of that year, his greeting in 2013 was more what he himself called “a call to realism.” The 2013 programme was burdened by many of the same cares that affect the National Arts Festival, and arts organisations nationwide, today.…Read More

VIBRANT FORCE FOR ADVOCACY AND CHALLENGING THE CONSCIENCE – A message from the Artistic Committee “The 2015 programme of the National Arts Festival has been shaped by diverse threads: the heated national debate surrounding the legacies of South African history; significant anniversaries of a number of arts icons; the global…Read More

In his final year as Artistic Director, Ishmail Mohammed had organized the 2016 programme into Curatorial Strands – themes running through the diverse programme elements, allowing it to be understood both in parts and as a whole. These six Curatorial Strands were: Celebrating Women; Conflict & Resolution; the Politics of…Read More

With an ale unveiled the year before, you might be forgiven for thinking the Festival could have nothing more exciting up its sleeve for 2018. But you’d be wrong! This year, the Festival hit the digital ground running with the launch of the brand new app! Not only could audience…Read More

Nigerian writer Wole Soyinka is awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, becoming the first African recipient of the honour. His recognition signals a major moment for African literature and intellectual thought on the global stage, affirming the cultural and political significance of African storytelling. For South Africa and the broader…Read More