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The start of Mangaung African Cultural Festival (MACUFE) over the weekend of the 4-6 October was a litmus test of what is to come during the entire weekend of this festival. The festival started on a very high note with the patrons already bewildered by what is on offer.

The opening Gala dinner on 4 October (Friday) was spectacular featuring national and international Artists: Tshepo Tshola (the Village Pope), Tutu Puoane based in Belgium and Larry Joe. On the other side of town boxers and cage fighters exchanged blows and blood was on the floor in the Macufe boxing and cage fighting tournament!

The Opening parade on the following day (5 October) captured the true African spirit of the festival as cultures from walks of life paraded through the streets of Bloemfontein. Cultures, including those from as far as Ghana formed part of the parade, which also included horse riders, motorbikes, drum majorettes, float and so on. Just before the Opening parade the streets of Bloemfontein also saw athletes sweating it out in the Macufe Road Race and Fun Walk/Run. At stake was a total prize money of over R20 000 for winners in the male and female categories.

Macufe Gospel festival was not only a sold out affair but a musical extravaganza that dazzled the patrons of Macufe and lovers of gospel music! Impressed by the mammoth structure in the middle of the city, known as Macufe Dome, they went inside to listen to a soulful and spiritually healing music. The strong lineup of artists inside the Dome did not disappoint. They left patrons asking for more one artist after another.

With Macufe Divas sold out as well and the Indoor Jazz happening at the same venue, as well as the Main festival still to happen at its traditional venue, the 15th anniversary of this festival is indeed already on its way to yet another great success. Still billed for the festival are shows such as Ons Konsert, Macufe Comedy Show as we all as the Theatre programme.