The Province is ready for Marula Festival

By Elvis Tshikhudo and Dexter Mohale

The annual Limpopo Marula Festival will this year attract thousands of both local and international visitors.

The annual Marula Festival is a partnership between Limpopo Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, Small Enterprise Development Agency, Limpopo Tourism Agency, Limpopo Economic Development Agency, Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality, Mopani District Municipality, Office of the Premier, Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, Phalaborwa Tourism Association and Kruger National Park.

The event will boost the economy of the province and also generates extra finance for municipality and community. This year, about 13 cooperatives will brew 12 000 litres of marula beverages that will be consumed by the public during the festival.

The festivities commence on Monday, 23 February 2017, with a street carnival comprising of various cultural groups, including the South African National Defence Force, from the town of Phalaborwa to the Impala Parks Stadium, where the festival will take place. Other events include the 4x4 Challenge, Bulletjie rugby, the Marula Road Race and Marula Golf Challenge at the Hans Merensky Golf Estate on 3 and 4 March 2017.

Entertainment lined up during the two week festival includes the Kwaito,/Hip hop Youth Festival that will feature big names like AKA, Mi Casa, Dj Emtee, Dj Zinhle, the legendary Mdu Masilela and many more. The festival will culminate with the Gospel and Jazz Open Air Concert that will feature musicians like Salif Keita, Hugh Masekela, Zonke, Caipus Semenya, Letta Mbuli, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Worship House, Brothers of Peace and many more.