Mahika Mahikeng returns for its 5th installment
The 5th installment of the Mahika Mahikeng is back after a two year long break, and promises to be bigger than ever.
The cultural festival, centered around music but also features an array of economical inspiring activities, will this year see artists such as Bucy Radebe, jazz star Zonke, legend Ringo, Ayanda Jiya, the amapiano duo Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa, Mahikeng rap star Mo Molemi, A Reece, DBN GOGO, Aus Tebza, as well as Joyous celebration descend the North West Province.
Speaking to the former Morafe rap star, and acclaimed farmer Mo Molemi, he said Mahika Mahikeng has become an important platform for Mahikeng based artists to showcase their talents especially since the province doesn’t see a lot of festivals of this nature.
“It has become that place where we can exhibit our skills as the descendants of Mahikeng, and hopefully attract visitors to our shores to see what we are about. We have youngsters who can’t travel outside of the province to showcase their talents, therefore Mahika Mahikeng becomes important for these talents that exist to also get a platform,” he said.
The 41-year-old farmer, who has enjoyed a successful musical career that spans over 15 years, has also pledged his allegiance with the festival because of the trade opportunities that the festival presents for the province.
“We appreciate the event and the hype that it brings with it because of the amount of benefits that come with it for artists and businesses alike.
“This platform is not necessarily a developmental platform, and that is where we get it wrong, but I believe it is supposed to showcase the best of the best of what the country has to offer. I do believe that there should be year long programmes that feed into the event. In that way, we can guarantee continued growth of the province, of artists and of the festival itself.
“And we strive for that,” he said.
Other personalities rallying behind the festival are multi-talented personality Stoane Seate and Kaya959’s radio jock Bonolo “Bee Sting” Molosiwa.
The three day music extravaganza will kick off with a gospel centered night on Friday, followed by an incredible evening of soulful Jazz on day two and then will be rounded up with an amapiano and hip hop day on Sunday.
When asked what he would like to see happen for the province in the years that follow, he said: “We really hope to see our development wing in the North West, Mmabana Arts Culture & Sports Foundation, up their game, get more money and support artists that are doing developmental projects that touch communities. So that when such events as Mahika Mahikeng come, we do not have to look hard for those artists from Mahikeng to occupy the main stages but instead we will have artists ready because of the development that has happened during the year.”