SAFRA Heritage Gala 2026 | Erfenisgala

SAFRA Heritage Gala 2026 | Erfenisgala

The Free Reed Sounds of Mzansi

?? Thursday, 24 September 2026

?? 15:00

?? Hugo Lambrechts Auditorium, Parow

?? Admission: R175

Celebrate Heritage Day with an unforgettable journey through Southern Africa’s free-reed musical landscape.

The gala celebrates the remarkable diversity of music associated with free-reed instruments—including the accordion, concertina and harmonica—through a programme spanning classical music, boeremusiek, maskandi, famo, French chanson, South African pop, German schlager, Argentine tango, Celtic music and Scottish country dancing.

The event also commemorates a striking cluster of heritage anniversaries associated with 1926: the proclamation of the Kruger National Park; the first boeremusiek recordings; the first recording of Die Stem; and the birth of legendary South African accordionist and composer Nico Carstens.

The year 2026 also marks 40 years since the establishment of the Hugo Lambrechts Music Centre and the release of Paul Simon’s landmark album Graceland, which introduced vast international audiences to Southern African musical sounds, including the distinctive sound of the accordion.

Classical repertoire will also feature prominently, ranging from Johann Strauss waltzes and marches and Bach’s Toccata in D minor to Paganini variations and modern works by Zolotaryov and Olczak.

The gala brings together leading accordionists, concertina players, harmonica artists, dancers and guest musicians in a grand celebration of our shared musical heritage.

FEATURING

André van Vuuren

Carl Julius

Dries Laas

Hano Krige

Leon Oosthuizen

Loren Ehlers

Louis Verwey

Mants’a (Lesotho)

Mgojeli

Monika Stuchlik (Zamar)

Mthwentombi

Nyon’emhlophe

Stephaan van Zyl

Willem Luitingh

WITH

Boksemdaais Accordion Ensemble

Cape Town Branch of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society (RSCDS)

Cape Town Scottish Dance Band

Cape Town Tango Community

The Mohale Sisters

Phambili Ballet

Tygerberg Volkspelelaer

SPECIAL GUESTS

Alberto Otero

Caireen Alston

Corinne Sanderson

Danielle Speckman

Dave Ridgway

Lizelle Maré Gleeson

Presented by SAFRA Free Reed Mzansi.

Refreshments will be available.