Going nuts for Macadamia Festival
The third annual Macadamia Harvest Festival will take place on March 13 and 14 at Ncera Great Place, in Ncera Village.
“We want to bring all government bodies such as Seta [Sector Education and Training Authority] and the department of rural development and agrarian reform [DRDAR] to showcase the developmental programmes that can be exposed to people,” Ncera Macadamia farming chairperson Mnyamana Jongolo said at a media briefing.
Jongolo said one of the driving forces behind the festival was to realise the potential of young people in the Ncera community.
Jongolo said they wanted to create space for young rural people to receive training opportunities during the festival.
Vulindlela Investment Trust chairperson and Macadamia Skills Academy founding member Princess NomaXhosa Jongilanga said the festival was a celebration of black excellence.
On Friday March 13, there will be a graduation ceremony for students of the academy.
“The festival is not only aimed at entertainment, but it is also educational because we are using the festival as a catalyst for us to be a variable and sustainable tourism destination in the Eastern Cape,” Jongilanga said.
DRDAR HoD Bongikhaya Dayimani offered support for the festival and the department has established a technical team that will oversee the preparations.
“We will ensure that the festival is a success,” Dayimani said.
“We expect more people this year and we are encouraging all departments to join in and participate.”
The festival will have different activities, ranging from helicopter rides, tours of the plantation, cultural dance troupes, fashion shows and a craft market, for visitors to take part in and enjoy.
Musicians Anga “NaakMusiQ” Mkhubalo and Christos “Dj Christos” Katsaitis will headline the festival and will be joined by a wide array of other popular local artists such as Randy FT, Simplicity, Band SA and Natz EFX.