FF25 FRINGE: BLACK LABONE - FOLK & POETRY WORKSHOPS & SHOWCASE

ARTIST SHOWCASE + ARTIST DEVELOPMENT AND CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM

For the first time ever, the 2025 Folklore Festival introduces a comprehensive Artist Development and Capacity Building Program designed to nurture emerging and established cultural practitioners. To include

Industry Showcase Opportunities:

• 7 August 2025: Black Labone's Earth Day in Pretoria featuring the annual Folklore Folk & Poetry Stage
• 11 September 2025: Industry Night Showcase with cultural curators, promoters, festival owners, venue owners, labels and producers

Featured Artists for Development Program:

The program will showcase emerging talent including:

Sabu Jiyana (Johannesburg) – After 17 years of recording, performing and touring the world, Matimba Frontman Sabu Jiyana has made it his personal mission to take his audience on a journey through the African continent through a sound he has coined "The Pan-African Sound."

Safe Energy (Johannesburg) – An emerging band from Johannesburg bringing fresh energy to the South African music scene with their distinctive sound and authentic artistic expression.

Siba Sarabi (Gqeberha) – A rising artist from the Eastern Cape bringing unique cultural perspectives and musical innovation to the contemporary South African music landscape.

Le Mpendulo (Pretoria) – An emerging proudly Ndebele talent from the capital city, representing the new generation of South African artists committed to cultural preservation and modern expression.

NeAhtyah - Zintle Mbuyazwa (Cape Town) – A Cape Town-based artist whose work also bridges traditional and contemporary sounds, representing the Mother City's rich musical heritage.

Malifeze a Duo – A collaborative musical partnership exploring the depths of African folk traditions through harmonious storytelling, poetry and authentic cultural expression.

Tap Percussionist – A skilled rhythmic artist bringing the dynamic energy of tap percussion to traditional and contemporary musical arrangements.

Darlianoh – An emerging artist whose unique approach to folk music represents the evolving landscape of South Africa’s culturally rich sounds.

Folk & Poetry Stage Headliners:

The stage will be headlined by established artists Tubatsi Moloi, Pilani Bubu and Phila Dlozi, who bring years of experience and mastery to the festival:

Tubatsi Moloi – A South African singer-songwriter influenced by blues, jazz, rock and African folk music, inspired by artists Guy Buttery, Philip Tabane, Bob Dylan and Zim Nqawane. His music asks audiences to be open-minded and exploratory. With notable collaborations with Msaki on the joint album "Synthetic Hearts."

Pilani Bubu – An indelible storyteller, singer-songwriter, TV presenter, and creative entrepreneur who has graced the global stage for the past decade, captivating audiences with her enchanting melodies, astonishing vibrato and spoken word. Known for songs deeply rooted in South African heritage with a unique voice and cohesive global sound she calls "jazzy folk soul."

Phila Dlozi – A prominent artist taking the folk music streaming by storm, with up to a 78.8K monthly listeners on Spotify, known for collaborations with major South African producers and bringing contemporary African sounds to global audiences.

A Comprehensive Workshop Series:

The festival launches its very first capacity building workshops covering Artist Development, Publishing and Distribution, Branding, Promotion, Event Production, Indigenous Instruments & Folk Styles, and African Storytelling through Literature, Poetry, Film and Art.

Artists and workshop attendees can register here for the workshop and showcase.

SUPPORT AND PARTNERSHIP

The Folklore Festival 2025 is proudly supported by the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, acknowledging its vital role in cultural preservation and community development.

For all festival inquiries:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.folklore.community

About Folklore Festival: The Folklore Festival is South Africa's premier celebration of African cultural heritage, storytelling traditions, and indigenous knowledge systems. Through music, literature, theatre, spoken word, poetry, film, and visual arts, the festival creates vital platforms for cultural preservation while nurturing emerging talent and fostering intergenerational dialogue.

Media inquiries :

• Bonnie Meslane
• Email : [email protected]
• Contact : +27 78 087 9681