South African Cultural Observatory

UPCOMING EVENTS - 2022

GAUTENG

Delicious Food and Music Festival- Johannesburg

24 – 25 September 2022

The Delicious Food and Music Festival is set to return to the Johannesburg, after a two year hiatus due to the restrictions associated with the Covid-19 pandemic. Although the organisers have yet to announce the festival line-up, the event will take place during the Heritage Day weekend.

The Decorex Joburg- Sandton

28-31 July 2022

Decorex Joburg and 100% Design takes place at the Sandton Convention Centre on 28 – 31 July 2022. Exhibitors will cover the full spectrum of décor and design needs and will showcase some of the hottest trends on the global design scene.

Joburg Art Fair- Sandton

7-9 September 2022

The annual Joburg Art Fair will showcase the best in contemporary African art and design, with 23 Galleries and 11 Special Projects. The Alfa Romeo Art Talks Program will feature local and international gallerists and artists.

Ladles of Love - Nelson Mandela Day Johannesburg

18 Jul 2022 

On Mandela Day, Monday, 18 July 18, 2022, Ladles of Love will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the largest food can mosaic shaped like the South African flag in Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton, Johannesburg. Those interested may either purchase tickets to volunteer 67 minutes of their time or purchase food cans to be included in the record-breaking mosaic. Proceeds from the donations of money and food containers will be used to help over 150 deserving clients in Gauteng and the Western Cape.

WESTERN CAPE

The Delheim Jazz & Cheese Fondue Series- Stellenbosch

3 – 28 July

The celebrated Stellenbosch wine destination, Delheim Estate has announced the return of its top-notch mini-Jazz Festival and a line-up of some of the best South African talent. Hosted in partnership with the renowned Cape Town Music Academy (CTMA), their popular jazz-and-fondue events will take place every Sunday from 3 July until 28 August this year.

Franschhoek Bastille Festival- Franschhoek

16 – 17 July 2022

Franschhoek will celebrate Bastille Festival after a two-year hiatus, on the 16th and 17th of July, taking place in the main road of Franschhoek, with all things French inspired. The village’s Main Road will be abuzz with activities, which include French-inspired street food offerings from the restaurants situated along the way.

Knysna Oyster Festival 2022- Knysna

1 – 10 July 2022

Knysna welcomes back one of the highlights on the South African festival calendar. The Knysna Oyster Festival will once again offer visitors an exciting array of events to partake in from 1 to 10 July 2022.

KWA-ZULU NATAL

Durban July Handicap- Durban

02 Jul 2022 

On the first Saturday of every July nearly 60 000 people converge in Greyville to experience what has been termed the "July Fever".  It is both about horse racing and fashion. The event will be staged with people attending in person for the first time in two years.

EASTERN CAPE

National Arts Festival – Makhanda

23 June – 03 July 2022

The National Arts Festival is an annual festival of performing arts in Makhanda. It is the largest arts festival on the African continent and one of the largest performing arts festivals in the world by visitor numbers.

More News
National Arts Festival Back in Face-to-Face mode National Arts Festival Back in Face-to-Face mode

As you read this the final cultural shows of National Arts Festival are possibly on stage in Makhanda. The National Arts Festival came back in a face-to-face format for the first time in two years.

ABSA opens new art gallery ABSA opens new art gallery

Absa has opened a new art gallery in the piazza of Towers Main in Johannesburg central business district as of May 2022. The Absa Art Gallery officially opened its doors with the first exhibition titled Voices: Past and Present.

James Ngcobo joins Joburg City Theatres James Ngcobo joins Joburg City Theatres

The award-winning actor and director James Ngcobo has joined Joburg City Theatres (JCT) as an artistic director. Ngcobo who was with the Market Theatre Foundation for nine years joins the JCT as of July 1 and will be responsible for developing and implementing an artistic vision for organisation’s 10 spaces.

Report Highlights Report Highlights

In this edition we highlight key findings from our recent reports. The reports are: a chapter from the Mapping Study that gives the provincial profile of the cultural and creative industry and the South African’s Animation Industry: Ecosystem Analysis.

Executive Direction - June 2022 Executive Direction - June 2022

I am hopeful that as you read this edition of The Cultural Observer you are warm as this winter has been very chilly, with temperatures plummeting to close to zero degrees in some parts of the country.

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