North West MEC for Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation Wessels Morweng has called on artists, businesses and other stakeholders to help restore Mafikeng’s position as a vibrant cultural and entertainment destination through the Mahika Mahikeng Cultural Festival.
Speaking at the festival’s media launch in Hartbeespoort Dam on Tuesday, Morweng said the platform should be open to artists and business owners who can contribute to attracting residents and visitors to Mafikeng.
His call comes against the backdrop of Mafikeng’s longstanding association with arts, culture and entertainment. The city has previously hosted major cultural events that attracted artists, performers and audiences from across the province and beyond.
Morweng said the government wants to build on that cultural heritage by creating initiatives within the Mahika Mahikeng project that can accommodate artists from across the province.
He urged artists and businesses to support the initiative, saying collective participation would be important in helping take Mafikeng back to where it once was.
The festival is scheduled to take place from 3 to 6 December 2026 at Mmabatho Stadium and Mmabatho Convention Centre.
The programme will begin with the Gospel Music Festival on 3 December, followed by the Youth Festival on 4 December. The Jazz Festival will take place on 6 December.
Big Daddy Events has been appointed as the service provider responsible for implementing the festival, with headline artists and ticket packages also announced as part of the launch.
Morweng’s appeal signals an effort to position Mahika Mahikeng as more than a three-day entertainment event, using the festival as a platform to create opportunities for the province’s creative sector while attracting people back to Mafikeng.
