By Celani Sikhakhane
The Impucuzeko Maskandi Festival has been praised for helping to boost eThekwini’s struggling economy.
On Wednesday, the City of eThekwini announced that the annual festival, known as the “World Cup of Maskandi”, brought in over 25,000 fans from all over South Africa on Saturday night.
Many maskandi artists performed at the event, with some dressing in women’s clothing to honour Women’s Month.
eThekwini spokesperson Gugu Sisilana said the festival brought people together and gave new maskandi artists a chance to perform alongside famous musicians.
This was the 11th year of the festival, which ran from Saturday evening until early Sunday morning at the Moses Mabhida People’s Park.
Sisilana said the festival is part of a three-year agreement between the city and event organisers.
The event boosted over 50 small businesses, allowing them to increase their sales.
“The city will keep supporting young artists and small businesses by giving them financial help and business opportunities,” said Sisilana. “We’re proud to have hosted another successful festival.”
The festival featured popular maskandi artists like Gatsheni, Stabhilithi, Mzukulu, Khuzani, Sminoff, Ntencane, Amageza Amahle, Mlabalaba, Sdoni, and Sgwebo Sentambo, among others.
Ntethelelo “Ghanda-Ghanda” Buthelezi, who leads a 15-member girl group Omelisizwe from Empangeni, thanked the city and event organisers for the opportunity to perform.
Following the festival’s success, eThekwini’s business travel and tourism industry received eight nominations at the 31st World Travel Awards.
The city was recognised as Africa’s Leading Festival and Event Destination 2024 – an award it has won three years in a row.
The awards will be held on 24 November in Madeira.
Pictured above: Maskandi stars Thokozani Langa and Khuzani Mpungose were among the performers who impressed the crowd at the Impucuzeko Maskandi Festival.
Source: X/Nhlaka Production
