DELON LE ROUX
If there’s one thing the National Arts Festival in Makhanda promises without fail, it’s a sensory overload -in the best possible way. From the aroma of cinnamon pancakes wafting across the Village Green to the thunder of spontaneous applause inside packed venues, NAF 2025 was every bit as vibrant, unpredictable, and heartwarming as ever.
For this day trip, we had the pleasure of being chauffeured in style thanks to Eastern Cape Motors, in the brand-new Ford Everest Sport – a rugged yet refined ride that glided along the N2 with confidence and comfort. The built-in infotainment system, sleek leather interiors, and elevated driving position made for the perfect start to what would become an unforgettable day.
Naturally, no road trip in the Eastern Cape is complete without a pit stop at Nanaga Farm Stall. Whether you’re craving the iconic roosterkoek, Lamb & Mint pie, pineapple juice, or a cheeky peppermint crisp tart, Nanaga delivers every single time. It’s part tradition, part temptation – and always worth the detour.
A Festival at Your Fingertips
Gone are the days of queuing for tickets and fumbling with brochures. Booking our shows was a seamless process thanks to the fully integrated National Arts Festival site and dedicated app. Quick, intuitive, and efficient, I managed to secure three very different shows with just a few taps on my phone — each offering its own distinct flavour of performance art.
SHOW ONE: “Thoughts I Thinked” by Yaaseen Barnes
Where: Graham Hotel
Rating: For fans of the fast, random, and ADHD-infused (⭐⭐⭐⭐)
Kicking off the festival day was Cape Town comedian Yaaseen Barnes, presenting his new stand-up set Thoughts I Thinked. Marketed as a chaotic, inside-the-mind exploration of a comedian grappling with ADHD, the show was full of fragmented punchlines, self-deprecating humour, and what Barnes himself called “random and quirky.”
While not particularly my usual comedic taste, I appreciated the intention behind his work — experimental, self-aware, and brimming with potential. The crowd warmed to him, especially those attuned to the TikTok-style pacing and offbeat observations. As he kept repeating throughout the show, “lower your expectations, it’s just a joke.” Barnes is undoubtedly a talent on the rise, but at times the show felt more like a live brainstorm session than a polished act. That said, if you enjoy erratic dad jokes laced with ADHD, tangents, and a bit of endearing awkwardness, you’ll feel right at home.
LUNCH + VILLAGE GREEN DETOUR
Where? Village Green, Makhanda
Post-show, we headed over to the Village Green, the heartbeat of the festival. Lined with artisans, food trucks, musicians, and laughter, it’s equal parts flea market and festive fairground. Think handmade pottery, gourmet kudu burgers, beaded earrings, and toddlers chasing bubbles — a tapestry of South African creativity and community.
Top tip: If you find yourself underdressed for the chilly Makhanda wind (which, let’s be honest, creeps up on the best of us), run — don’t walk — to the coat sellers near the back of the market. Vintage trench coats, faux furs, and winter jackets allow you to bundle up at bargain prices!
SHOW TWO: “Odd Man Out” by Stuart Taylor
Where: Graham Hotel
Rating: Polished, heartfelt, laugh-out-loud brilliance (⭐⭐⭐⭐)
Stuart Taylor is no stranger to the comedy stage, and his latest outing, Odd Man Out, proves precisely why he remains one of South Africa’s most dependable voices in stand-up. Witty, polished, and deeply human, Taylor’s material ranges from teen awkwardness to gym anxiety, fatherhood, and “learner husband” fails. But what sets the
is show apart is his masterful storytelling and ability to weave moments of nostalgia, relatability, and hilarity into a seamless whole.
Audience participation was handled with finesse — never forced, always relevant — and added an improvisational charm that anchored the experience. Taylor’s warmth, coupled with razor-sharp timing and killer dimples, made for a set that felt like catching up with an old friend over drinks. No surprise this show bagged an Ovation Award. It’s earned every accolade.
SHOW THREE: “I CAN BUY MYSELF FLOWERS…” by Mike van Graan
Where: Victoria Theatre
Rating: Standing ovation-worthy. A triumph in every sense. (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)
When the lights go out — literally — and a performer still delivers the show of the festival, you know you’ve witnessed something extraordinary. Written by Mike van Graan and performed by the luminous Erika Breytenbach, I CAN BUY MYSELF FLOWERS is a tour de force of solo performance.
The electricity was out due to a power surge, but the production team quickly set up emergency lanterns, and as they say in theatre, the show went on. And what a show it was.
Breytenbach’s ability to shift between multiple characters with emotional depth and clear differentiation was nothing short of breathtaking. She embodied Natalie Jackson — a 50-something estate agent navigating friendship, independence, motherhood, and the ghosts of patriarchy — with intelligence, vulnerability, and whip-smart humour. Directed by Toni Morkel, this piece is as much a commentary on modern womanhood as it is a celebration of theatrical craft.
From menopause to motherhood, WhatsApp groups to therapy sessions, this one-woman comedy-drama had the audience laughing through their tears. The three-minute standing ovation at the end was not only deserved — it was necessary.
This was, unequivocally, the highlight of my day.
A Festival Tease: What I Missed (But You Shouldn’t)
As the sun began to set and I returned to the waiting Everest, warmed by my luminous green puffer coat and still buzzing from the last performance, I couldn’t shake a pang of regret. There were still so many shows on my radar that I couldn’t squeeze them into the day’s schedule:
- Circle Song
- Butlers and Best Men
- ALMOST S*X JOKES
- Emotional Black Male
- SALT
- Whose Lyrics Is It Anyway 2
- So Over The Rainbow
- Psych
- Ethel
To those of you who managed to catch any of these, we’d love to hear your thoughts. Drop a comment below or tag @041online.mag on social media and let us know your festival favourites. Who knows – your rave review might just convince us to catch it before the curtain drops.
Final Thoughts
The National Arts Festival is more than just an event — it’s a pilgrimage for the culturally curious. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned veteran, there’s always something that surprises, delights, or challenges you. From witty wordplay to raw vulnerability, impromptu power cuts to standing ovations, the festival delivers a rich tapestry of South African storytelling that reminds us of the transformative power of art.
With the open road, good company, and a full tank (of both petrol and passion), there’s no better way to spend a winter’s day in the Eastern Cape.
Seen a great show we missed? Leave your mini-review in the comments or DM us @041online.mag – we’ll be featuring reader picks.
(Picture: 041online’s Delon le Roux and Lwando Joko Sipeliti)
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