The Folklore Festival takes over Johannesburg this weekend

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In South Africa, September is synonymous with many things: never-ending birthdays, spring, the new year, and of course, heritage. It is the month when heritage takes center stage at both dinner tables and conference podiums. It is one of the few times when heritage is not confined to the hills of a village but embraced in the bright lights of the city and woven into the curriculum of the day. More recently, September has also become synonymous with the multifaceted Folklore Festival.

The Folklore Festival, founded by creative entrepreneur Pilani Bubu, is not only a celebration of humanness and cultural connection but equally a movement directed at heritage appreciation and preservation. Africans have long archived their stories, wisdom, and methodologies in the form of parables, songs, and folklore – and what better way to honor the African way of life than through the art of music and storytelling.

This year’s edition—the fourth for the festival—spans three days and is anchored by the concept of Kinfolk. “Kinfolk extends far beyond blood relations; it speaks to the spiritual family we create through shared stories, traditions, and cultural experiences that have been passed down through generations,” said Bubu.

With this theme as its foundation, the festival zooms in on intergenerational dialogue through its inaugural Artist Development and Capacity-Building Program, designed to nurture both emerging and established cultural practitioners. The program concludes with an industry night on 11 September, featuring performances from rising stars Safe Energy, Tap Percussionist, MandiFeze, and Siba Sarabi, alongside accomplished creative Tubatsi Moloi.

“The event is free and open to the public—just get your tickets here. Having taken a risk on myself in pursuing music, being a part of this showcase is validating. It means a lot to me to be seen in this way, and I can’t wait to share my music with the audience and introduce people to who I am and what I do,” said Sarabi.

“The world is evolving, and we seem to be moving away from who we are—or who we once were. Inganekwane were the main guide in our walk through life. Elders would tell these stories to children, and because of the method, these fables would be engraved in their minds until adulthood. Only then would they discover the profound messages hidden in the songs and stories. Bringing back those ancient stories in forms and spaces such as the Folklore Festival is our way of reclaiming who we used to be, while also writing new songs and stories about who we are now,” said Zawadi YaMungu.

This intergenerational dialogue will warm up the festival stage on 12 September with Luyanda Madope, Andile Yenana, and Apiwe Bubu.

The festival will pull out all the stops for its cultural extravaganza on Saturday, 13 September at the National School of the Arts in Johannesburg. The line up features the legendary Mahotella Queens, Buhlebendalo, Jabulile Majola, Odwa Bongo, Zawadi YaMungu, Forefathers Ensemble, Pilani Bubu, Ms Niktsa, DJ Bon and Amapiano Lifestyle. It’s fun for the whole familyt.

Tickets available

Folklore Industry Night – 11 Sept
Folklore Fireside: Connecting Generations – 12 Sept

Folklore Festival – 13 Sept