Eastern Cape Dance and Music Ensemble is a vibrant production that celebrates the rich tapestry of indigenous music and dance unique to the Eastern Cape. Through a powerful fusion of rhythm, movement, and storytelling, the show highlights treasured traditional dance forms and songs from across the province.

Woven into the performance is a compelling narrative that introduces audiences to the diverse cultural heritage of tribes such as the Abathembu, Amabhaca, and Amampondo, among others. Featuring talented performers from all eight districts of the Eastern Cape, this ensemble is a heartfelt tribute to the spirit and identity of the region.

This year’s iteration will be a celebration of S.E.K. Mqhayi , a renowned South African poet, dramatist, essayist, critic, novelist, historian, biographer, and translator. Born in Gqumahashe, Eastern Cape, he played a significant role in standardizing the grammar of isiXhosa and preserving the language in the 20th century. 

Some of Mqhayi’s notable works include U-Samson, an adaptation of the biblical story of Samson, written in 1907, Ityala lamawele (The Lawsuit of the Twins), a novel published in 1914, exploring Xhosa tradition and customary law,uJohn Knox Bokwe, a biography of John Knox Bokwe, published in 1972, andUMqhayi waseNtab'ozuko (Mqhayi of Mount Glory), his autobiography. He also added seven stanzas to Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika, which became a national anthem in several African countries, including South Africa. Mandela spoke of Mqhayi as the "poet laureate of the African people". Mqhayi passed away on July 29, 1945, at Ntabozuko, leaving behind a legacy as a pioneering figure in South African literature.

Production Credits