David Kramer transforms stage into space of magical story telling at the KKNK Festival

The artist whose shows are sold out at this year’s KKNK festival received a standing ovation for his show on Friday night, and tonight’s show is also sold out.

By Edward Tsumele at the KKNK Festival in the Karoo

He went on stage casually, wearing his trademark hat, and what happened on stage for about an hour is the transformation of the stage at Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees (KKN)K into a space of story telling and energetic performance that connected easily with a mainly business audience. The attendance was per invitation.  But still the concert by Afrikaans folk artist David Kramer was heavily attended by guests who turned up to watch a musician who was in his element to educate and entertain at the same time. Kramer did both well.

What also worked in this concert is the simplicity of the show, basically one man with a guitar and a flute, well complemented by his voice, and what he produced on stage was a sophisticated performance that left the audience in awe of this man, who is versatile in Afrikaans folk, blues and even hip hop as he rounded his show by  rendering a rap peace that went into the heart of crime in society. There is no doubt that this man is gifted musically, and when it comes to stage presentation and songwriting, he has a few rivals in this country.

What also made this show to be even more discernible, educated and intellectually stimulating, is the story telling in most of his songs.  

Although this performance was simply stunning, actually  the entire repertoire, what especially worked for me and seemed to touch  the audience’s inner soul and consciousness is the song War Prisoners, which is much about raising awareness generally about the futility of war as it is a deeply personal one to the artist.

“This song is about my family. Both my father and grandfather went to fight in the Second World War in Egypt. Unfortunately a bomb exploded in 1943 and injured my father badly who was hospitalized for a long time. He was 25 years. But today I decided to perform this song especially because of the war that is going on in Ukraine. War Prisoners is about the futility of war because at the end we all become prisoners of war,” Kramer said. And the audience seemed to agree with him by way of their response.

Kramer’s performance is one of several programmes that constitute this year’s KKNK Festival.

Without a doubt the biggest event to be at this weekend in the Western Cape Town of Oudtshoorn as it reaches a crescendo, and for the first time in two years, is taking place under circumstances that allow people to attend in person. This is after the festival was disrupted by the intensity of Covid-19 in the past two years. The festival kicked off on Tuesday, March 29, and rounds up its festivities on Sunday. CITYLIFE/ARTS is there to give you a blow by blow account of the weekend’s festivities as the festival comes to an end. Therefore watch out for features and interesting things that will take places as this festival comes to its end as your favourite publication will be your eyes and ears at the festival. We will report on the highlights, the festivities associated with the festival, as well as what worked and what needs improvement the next time around.

This famous festival is also happening at a time when many a fan lover has been longing for time out to chill and watch some good music act, view some interesting art works and simply be with other people, connecting in close proximity, something that has been lacking for the past two years due to the global pandemic. But now that its intensity has receded, it is time to party responsibly for those luck to be at this year’s KKNK Festival.  And on Friday, the town was transformed into a festival village with several; events taking place at its several venues around town, including a gin tasting session involving locally produced gin brands. Time did not permit me to taste some of the gins, but telling by the number of people I saw circling the bar in the tent where the tasting was taking place, something good was happening there for sure. Those who were seen leaving the tent had happy faces.

This year 2022 marks the 27th edition of the KKNK with Absa as a proud partner and sponsor for the past 17 years. After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s festival so far seems to  be heading for a successful end by Sunday as the town of Oudtshoorn welcomes South Africans back to celebrate the productions, exhibitions and experiences of this renowned national arts festival. 

What became clear yesterday, is the fact that this festival goes a long way in boosting the economy of this geographically isolated town as bars around the town were teeming with revellers, some organising music gigs leveraging on the festival audience. Restaurants were also full.  For example I and other two media people were introduced to local cuisine at an eatery tellingly named Karoo Pot. I got to enjoy a Karoo Ostrich dish.

“We as Absa are excited to introduce a cashless festival environment in 2022, in partnership with Howler and the KKNK.  This platform looks to provide all visitors to the festival with a safe and easy way to transact at the festival both when purchasing tickets to daily productions, also while shopping, eating and enjoying all that KKNK has to offer.

Festival goers are encouraged to spend some time relaxing in the Absa Kuiertuin, where individuals can sip on a selection of locally crafted gins and refreshments. Visit the Absa Kuierkamer and take in the marvels of some of Absa’s extensive Corporate Art Collection, Twentieth Century Pioneers: The Story behind the Artwork. The artworks include well-known to rarely seen artworks, reflecting on the society of their day from early South African masters to more recent contemporary artworks. An extension of this exhibition, including a uniquely commissioned artwork by legendary South African sculpture, Lucas Thobejane, will also be on display at the recently opened Absa branch in the main street,”says John Tshabalala, Absa Managing Executive Relationship Banking Western and Eastern Cape.

And true to Absa’s continued commitment to unearthing unseen gems within the Art landscape, the exhibition Lifting of the Veil, on showcase at the Prins Vincent building, weaves a thread of new emerging voices of young artists from across South Africa. These artists will become the future voice of change.

But besides the sponsorship of the festival, ABSA is also involved in community uplifting projects in disadvantaged parts of the town.

“Absa’s sponsorship of the KKNK is about more than just arts and culture. As a socially conscious organisation that is focused on forging meaningful relationships wherever we go, we believe in giving back to the community that so graciously hosts Absa and the thousands of guests who loyally attend the festival each year..

 This year Absa will partner with Bongolethu Primary School in the nearby Toekomsrus community through the development of a sustainable vegetable garden in partnership with Real Gardening. The garden will provide nourishment, both visually and literally, to learners and educators of the school. This will be followed by a secondary phase, where 500 households will directly benefit through continued efforts to ensure this initiative flourishes within the community.” Adds Tshabalala.

Saturday’s Highlights

Some of the highlights for today, Saturday, April 2, 2022 include the following and you are encouraged to attend:

.9am: ABSA’s presentation at the Bongolethu Primary School in the nearby Toekomsrus community through the development of a sustainable vegetable garden in partnership with Real Gardening.

.11am: SArt walk at the Prince Vincent Building where emerging artists are exhibiting their works and among those who will lead the session are curators 

Sarah McGee and Yoyi Magwebu.

2.30pm: Art talk at the ABSA Kuierkamer presented by Sarah MCGee and Yoyi Magwebu: The theme is art evaluation looking and the secondary and primary markets.