All roads in December lead to Nelson Mandela Bay as Ebubeleni Festival celebrates 10 years
By Edward Tsumele, CITYLIFE/ARTS Editor
This is one festival that has in the past 10 years resonated with many people from around the country as they get into a festive mood, taking advantage of the festive season. And the good news is this year, fan lovers will be able to enjoy their festival in person because the situation of Covid-19 has improved with a vaccination programme steaming ahead, the infection rate having receded currently. Last year the festival was recorded and watched on TV only, due to the then uncertain situation with Covid-19.
But this year the festival producers have confirmed that it will be attended in person, but warned that it is advisable for people to buy their tickets early to avoid disappointment as each venue will only accommodate a maximum number of people, to comply with Covid-19 regulations.
“The first day of festivities of Ebubeleni Festival comes alive at Prince Alfred Park, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha. The premium lifestyle event boasts a decade of quality offerings to festinos that know how to have the best celebration in the land. It promises to be a well-packaged 4-day cultural treat.
Kicking off the 10-year anniversary of the Ebubeleni Festival is the ‘Divas Experience’ on 2nd December. Performing will be Makhadzi, Amanda Black, Boohle, &;QTwins,” said the organisers in a statement released yesterday, November 15, 2021.
General tickets are R255 with an extra R100 to bring a cooler box and VIP is R800
*The follow-up show is the ‘Urban Party’ on December 3,-featuring Gigi Lamayne, Emtee, Sir Trill, Musa Keys, Mshayi &and Mr. Thela and Sleeze .
General tickets are R255 with an extra R100 to bring a cooler box and VIP is R800
Both the above shows kick off at 4 pm till 10pm.
*Starting at noon on December 4, is the ‘All White Picnic’. Set to delight are MiCasa, Zahara, Ntando, Mellow &; Sleazy. General tickets are R300 with an extra R100 for a cooler box and R1000 for VIP.
*The ‘Jazz in the Park’ on December 5, also kicks off at noon and features the energetic Selaelo Selota, Mandisi Dyantyis, Ami Faku, Dumza Maswana, Butho Vuthela and the legend Sizwe Zako.
The going rate for a general ticket is R300, an additional R100 for the cooler box and R1000 for VIP.
All four events will be complimented by Gqeberha’s exciting and talented artists.
Each show will have a limited audience of 2000 festinos as per the Covid-19 regulations in December.
Marc Mahambehlala, Ebubeleni Festival’s Executive Producer said:
“The festival will live up to its tradition of an explosive razzle-dazzle. The carefully
selected solid lineup is set to see the audience up on their feet or just simply and
endlessly singing along.”
All tickets will son be on sale through Webtickets online and at all Pick ‘n Pay or Boxer stores. No tickets will be sold at the venue or the gates.
Ebubeleni Music Festival is brought to you by Mahambehlala Communications in
partnership with the National Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium and Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency.
MORE ABOUT THE EBUBELENI FESTIVAL
Ebubeleni Festival is a cultural flagship event with a picnic theme hosted annually every December in Nelson Mandela Bay.
The Ebubeleni Festival has grown substantially since its inception. The festival journey can be tracked from Adcock Stadium to the dusty Scribante Racetrack and finally to the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. Festinos from all over the country trek down to Port Elizabeth to enjoy the festival.
In 2018, the festival expanded to a three-day Music and Comedy cultural extravaganza to encourage visitors to stay longer and plan their festive season holidays in the Bay.
The three-day programme kicked off with the Urban Festival catering for the youth with Amapiano, Hip Hop and Gqom genres. Day two was a relaxed evening of fun with the Comedy Show at the Boardwalk ICC. Concluding the festival was the Main Music Festival, which catered for the whole family. The 2018 festival saw the Main Event selling out for the first time. Over 24 000 music lovers filled the B & C training fields, spilling into Imatu Park at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
The festival prides itself on contributing immensely, through tourism, to the economy of Gqeberha and the Eastern Cape Province. The Ebubeleni Festival creates temporary jobs
through event service providers and provides a platform for local Eastern Cape artists to showcase their talents.
When the country and the world got hit by the COVID-19 Pandemic, with restrictions on
events and social gatherings, Ebubeleni Festival presented a Virtual Extravaganza for the 2020 edition of the show. The show was recorded at the Boardwalk ICC and produced as an explosive never-seen-before medley of artist collaborations. It was a first by any leading festival brand in South Africa. The Virtual Extravaganza was broadcast as an exclusive on Channel O (Channel 320 on DSTV) to over 440 000 viewers.
Ebubeleni means a friendly place. Gqeberha is known as the friendly city because of the hospitality of its people.
.Please note that all Covid-19 protocols to be adhered to, and a no mask no entry policy will apply.