The second Sm(art) City Festival returns at the end of March, and its headlining concert by jazz legend Mandisi Dyantyis is already sold out.
Launched in 2024 to mark the designation of Buffalo City metro as a Unesco creative city, the festival has quickly grown into a gathering for artists, authors and audiences who value the intersection of arts, literature and culture.
This Human Rights Day, on Friday March 21, Dyantyis will perform at Springbok Farmstall, Gonubie, alongside Resti Pule & The Collective, Busi Smith and Nobila, DJ of Faith, and other artists.
The two-day event begins with a book launch on Thursday March 20, followed by a full day of music, arts, and culture on the Friday.
“Year two of the festival is exciting because it will definitely cement the name and prove that Sm(art) City is here to stay!” festival co-founder and director Papama Mnqandi said.
“We decided to go for a huge act this year in Mandisi Dyantyis — someone who is loved by all.
“I’ve been receiving calls for a while with people challenging us to have picnic-type concerts that emulate what you see in big settings such as Kirstenbosch.
“So, our partners from Sound Explosion MJ came forward and said, ‘Let’s put our efforts together to bring Mandisi’.”
Reflecting on 2024’s event, he emphasised the festival’s role in fostering arts education.
“The real lesson from Sm(art) City 2024 is that there is an opportunity to be a festival that plays a meaningful role in cultural life.
“Sm(art) City wouldn’t exist without the support of the Eastern Cape department of sport, recreation, arts & culture’s festival grant, which enabled the festival to debut with a line-up featuring Ndumiso Manana, Zuko Sa, and Ikhona.
“My deepest fear is waking up one day and having Unesco ask what the designation meant for Buffalo City, and we have nothing to show for it.
“At least they must say there’s Sm(art) City every year.
“We have to use festivals to make an economic case for creative sector investment by the state and private sector,” Mnqandi said.
The gates open at midday, with the first band performing at 2pm and the show ending at 9pm.
The day will start off with a hike and breakfast in the morning, followed by a music picnic at midday, featuring Eastern Cape performers.
Mnqandi said those wanting to do the morning hike would need tickets for Dyanti’s performance.
Guests are encouraged to bring camp chairs and blankets for the picnic experience.
A cash bar, along with food stalls, arts, crafts, and books will be available throughout the day. Cooler boxes will be allowed at a fee.
Mnqandi praised Springbok Farmstall for its role in making the festival possible.
“The venue’s owner has been a blessing, opening doors for us and supporting the arts.
“It’s important to support businesses that sustain artists.”
The night before the concert, and in alignment with the Unesco Creative City Status, globally recognised figure in employment and labour affairs, Prof Mthunzi Mdwaba will be speaking on his first book, Demystifying the Jewel Called the ILO: A Labour of Love.
Mdwaba, 57, from Sterkspruit, is a globally recognised figure in employment and labour affairs, and will engage in conversations with young creatives and entrepreneurs, sharing insights from his career and discussing the role of creativity in tackling youth unemployment.
“What people may not know is that he was also an entertainment lawyer, which will make for an exciting chat with creatives and innovators,” Mnqandi said.
A global leader in employment and labour matters, Mdwaba served as the first African global vice- president of the International Organisation of Employers and played a key role in shaping global labour policies through the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
Mdwaba said: “I am full of excited anticipation, mostly because of my love for music and the arts.
“It is fitting that this is my first book and that it is the beginning of sharing my rich and blessed life.”
His book simplifies the complexities of the ILO, an institution that influences labour laws and social justice worldwide.
“I was inspired by the quote, ‘Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication’ by Leonardo da Vinci, to simplify the complexity behind the ILO and hope that all readers can take what would ordinarily be perceived as a boring institution and leverage the knowledge base for change, for the betterment of society.”
Mdwaba hopes his work will resonate with young people, business owners, trade unions, and policymakers.
“There are so many memorable moments.
“What I can single out is the pride I have for the global exposure to all I have experienced as an Eastern Cape rural boy who went through Bantu education.
“I was living my purpose of global change, global impact, and global social justice.”
Daily Dispatch