The Macufe organisers have pulled the biggest cat out of the bag by including the multiaward-winning gospel sensation Kirk Franklin in this year’s line-up.

Franklin was unveiled as the surprise act at the gospel festival to be held on October 4 at the Loch Logan Rose Garden in Bloemfontein.

Media consultant for the yearly Free State festival, Hugo van Heerden, says Franklin was booked long ago, but they concealed Franklin’s name deliberately.

“It was a business decision to withhold the name for marketing strategy. We have three international artists – we couldn’t reveal all the good news at the same time.”

He says this is the first time the festival has boasted three international musicians

Other international acts who will entertain at the festival are T-Pain and the legendary O’Jays.

T-Pain will perform at the youth festival on October 9 while the O’Jays will perform at the jazz festival on October 10. The O’Jays will also tour the country, starting with Bloemfontein.

“Their next performances will be in Cape Town on October 13 and Johannesburg on October 14,” he says.

Tickets for the Macufe Gospel Festival are available at Computicket, Shoprite Checkers and the Pacofs box office in Bloemfontein. For enquiries, call Tembi Mahambehlala on 076-855-2835.

n Those who cannot make Macufe will have their own gospel festival at Dobsonville Stadium on October 4.

The festival will include the likes of Deborah Fraser, Hlengiwe Mhlaba, Rebecca Malope, Sipho Makhabane, Keke and WinnieMashaba.

masungwinin@sundayworld.co.za

Article from Sunday World

The Free State Department of Sport, Arts and Culture in partnership with the Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport; the Department of Public Safety, Security and Liaison; PACOFS; SABC; Lesedi FM and the Host City of Mangaung will be hosting the 2008 Mangaung African Cultural Festival (MACUFE) Media Launch as follows: 

Date:   7 August 2008
Venue:  Windmill Casino (Bloemfontein)
Time:  10:00

MEC Ace Magashule will unveiling a nine-day 2008 Macufe programme that will encompass various events ranging from music festivals to theatre productions and sporting activities.

This year’s MACUFE programme will be intertwined with the Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport’s Transport Month which will include the Minister of Transport’s 3 day visit in the Province during the month of October. The Arrival Alive programme for October Transport Month which carries the message: “1 + 1= Half” will make part of the Macufe project therefore preaching responsibility on the road.   

Macufe which was launched in 1997 by the Free State Provincial Government makes one of the biggest Cultural Festivals in Africa. With a blend of African artists, the Festival seeks to promote and showcase Provincial ability in visual and performing arts while setting trends within the different communities. The MACUFE Sports section will for the 1st time include Boxing.

The partnership between the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture; the Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport; the Department of Public Safety, Security and Liaison and the City of Mangaung through the Macufe-Transport Month Programme will continue for the next three years leading to and in preparation of the 2010 World Cup. The Festival will serve as a catalyst to show the state of readiness for the City and test its available infrastructure for 2010.

The MEC of Sport, Arts and Culture, Mr. E.S. Magashule and partners cordially invites your media house to the 2008 MACUFE Media Launch.   
Please confirm your attendance on or before 01 August 2008 at the following contact details:

Fax: 051 – 4104786
Email: tankiso@sac.fs.gov.za
lorato@sac.fs.gov.za

ISSUED BY COMMUNICATION AND MARKETING UNIT, DEPARTMENT OF SPORT, ARTS AND CULTURE.  
Tankiso Zola (Communications and Marketing Manager) on 051 410 4735 or 082 940 2392 or Lorato Gomolemo (Pr and Events Coordinator)
051 410 4767 or 072 217 4259.