NXUBA YETHEMBA FESTIVAL

INTRODUCTION

The Eastern Cape is home to many legends who have had a significant contribution in shaping the South African  political,  economic,  religious,  cultural  and  recreational  landscapes.  Formidable  heroes  hail  from this  beautiful  province  such  as  uTata  Nelson  Mandela,  Mama  Winnie  Mandela,  Chief  Maqoma,  King Hintsa,  Enoch  Sontonga, Tiyo  Soga,  MaXhosa,  Siya  Kholisi,  Zozibini Thunzi,  Black  Coffee,  just  to  name  a few.  The  Daily  Maverick  reports  "the  Eastern  Cape  and  Limpopo  [as]  the  “talent  factories”  of  South Africa.  But  that  talent  is  deprived  of  economic  opportunity  in  its  home  provinces,  so  it  seeks  it elsewhere"  (Xolisa  Phillip,  2022).  President  Cyril  Ramaphosa  recognises  the  province  as  “...an  extremely well-endowed  province  in  terms  of  natural  resources  such  as  oceans  and  waterways,  fertile  land  and human  capital,  and  is  renowned  for  its  natural  beauty  and  its  diverse  ecosystems  that  continue  to  be tourist attractions, not forgetting its rich historical legacy. He further emphasised the need to reverse [the province's]  migration  patterns  by  deliberately  investing  in  the  Eastern  Cape  so  it  becomes  a  centre  of work and economic opportunity.” (City Press: Ramaphosa, 2021)..  Agri-Tourism  has  a  become  a  solution  to  many  similar  economies  like  China  and  can  be  for  the  Eastern Cape as well.  Nxuba Yethemba has vast land offerings for agri - tourism, including the 7000ha Geluk Game Farm. One of  the  most  effective  ways  could  promote  and  market  agri-tourism  in  this  area  is  through  international festivals  that  would  integrate  agricultural  practices  famous  in  Nxuba  Yethemba  such  as  MoHair production,  Bonsmara  breeding,  sheep  shearing,  crop  production,  etc.  Within  a  recreational  platform comprising of music, arts, craft, fashion, food and neon disco light set ups to keep the town alive for the duration on the festival.