By Lwazi Raul-Shongwe
The Mpumalanga Cultural Xperience is marking its tenth anniversary, and the province is gearing up to host a spectacular event that will showcase its rich cultural heritage.
The event will take place from 27 November to 7 December 2025, and will feature a variety of activities, including traditional experiences, music, and art.
A Decade of Cultural Diversity
According to Godfrey Ntombela, the Head of Department of Culture, Sport and Recreation in Mpumalanga, “We are promoting cultural diversity and social cohesion, all nations and all hands on deck. We are saying let’s come together as South Africans, and Mpumalanga to create a vibe.”
Ntombela was speaking to members of the media, as part of the Mpumalanga delegation, during the three-day Africa’s Travel Indaba held in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, which is running from 12 to 15 May 2025.
He said the province of Mpumalanga has successfully hosted the Metro FM Music Awards recently, which is a clear indication that the province is highly capable to draw crowds from various parts of the country and create a memorable vibe.
Inclusive and Community-Driven
Ntombela said the Mpumalanga Cultural Xperience is committed to promoting local talent and community involvement.
“ The event will feature a 90/10 allocation, where 90% of the artists will be locally-based, and 10% will be from outside the province. We are not alone in this, we are working with all our municipalities to ensure that the event is a success,” he said.
Celebrating Icons and Promoting Healthy Lifestyles
The event will also honour Mpumalanga icons and promote healthy lifestyles through various activities in areas such as Nkangala, Bushbuckridge and Nkomazi. The final destination of the event will be the Capital City of Mbombela.
A Call to Action
The Mpumalanga Department of Culture, Sport and Recreation is inviting communities, provinces, and SADC countries to join in the celebration. Ntombela stated that;
“We are saying it’s a decade of cultural diversity, and it’s not business as usual, it’s business unusual. The department is launching a logo and a special website for the event and is working to make the event more transparent, relevant, and visible to the communities.”
A Celebration of Unity and Diversity
The Mpumalanga Cultural Xperience is a celebration of unity and diversity, and it promises to be an exciting event that will showcase the province’s rich cultural heritage. With its inclusive and community-driven approach, the event is expected to attract visitors from all over the country and beyond.
