Award-Winning Musician Thandiswa Mazwai Pulls Out of Macufe 2026 Festival for Unity in Bloemfontein
- Thandiswa Mazwai confirmed she will no longer perform at the Macufe festival's main event on 12 September 2026
- Her exit follows Malian music icon Salif Keita's withdrawal from the same festival over xenophobic violence concerns
- Macufe 2026 has faced scrutiny over its organisation and finances, though the 10-day programme continues
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South African music icon Thandiswa Mazwai has withdrawn from the 2026 Mangaung African Cultural Festival (Macufe), announcing she will no longer perform at the event in Bloemfontein. The news came via a brief statement shared on her official social media accounts on Tuesday, leaving fans without any explanation for the decision.
Mazwai had been scheduled to headline the festival's main event at the Rose Garden on Saturday, 12 September 2026. No reason was given for the cancellation.
Another high-profile Macufe withdrawal
Mazwai's exit follows that of celebrated Malian singer Salif Keita, who pulled out of his scheduled Macufe performance on 26 August, citing concerns about xenophobic violence against African migrants in South Africa.
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He also referenced the country's historical ties to Mali and the legacy of former president Nelson Mandela, saying the current situation did not reflect the South Africa he knew.
The two withdrawals come as Macufe 2026 navigates a difficult season, with Bloemfontein community newspaper Bloemfontein Courant raising concerns about the festival's planning, finances and administration. Reports have also pointed to internal changes within the Free State Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, including the apparent removal of Takalani Ramabulana from his role as director of supply chain management.
What the Macufe lineup still looks like
Despite the disruptions, Macufe's 10-day programme is pressing ahead across various Bloemfontein venues. The main event on 12 September still boasts a strong South African lineup, with Lira, Zonke, Sannere, Nathi, Ntando and the Jaziel Brothers confirmed to perform. The Free State Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation has also confirmed appearances from Vusi Nova and Shandesh.
Dawn Thandeka King holds back tears in Zim
In other news, Briefly News reported that Dawn Thandeka King attended the King Mzilikazi Annual Commemoration at the Mzilikazi Memorial Site in Matobo Hills near Bulawayo in September 2026.
The former Uzalo actress was visibly moved by the occasion as the crowd's warm reception brought her close to tears.
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Source: Briefly News
