The sound of tradition met the spark of youth at the 2025 National Arts Festival, as the inaugural Makhanda Igwijo Competition hit the stage on 1 July. Four dynamic groups sang their way into South Africa’s musical history books—but it was Makhanda Combined that walked away with the top honours, proving that sometimes, greatness is right on your doorstep.
This brand-new competition—supported by the Mandela Bay Theatre Complex and the Eastern Cape Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture—put the spotlight on igwijo, a powerful, homegrown style of South African call-and-response singing with deep roots in worker solidarity, sports culture, and spiritual resilience.
Igwijo, Reimagined
Once sung in mines, sports fields, and struggle marches, igwijo is finding new life thanks to younger generations who are remixing it with rhythm, pride, and urgency. That spirit was on full display as groups from across the country came to Makhanda to perform on one of South Africa’s most prestigious artistic stages.
The Winners of the 2025 Makhanda Igwijo Competition:
1st Place: Makhanda Combined
2nd Place: First Team
3rd Place: Mayuyu Finest
4th Place: Smart Choice
The results were announced by Eastern Cape gospel icon Bethusile Mcinga to roaring applause. And in a pinch-me moment for the winning team, multi-award-winning a cappella group The Soil—performing at the Festival on 4 July—invited Makhanda Combined to join them on stage.
“An Unforgettable Moment”
Nobesuthu Rayi, Partnerships and Stakeholders Manager at the Festival, called the competition’s debut emotional and unforgettable.
“The moment the winners were announced was incredibly emotional. This is the power of the arts—to allow young people to step into their voice, their story and their place on a national stage,” said Rayi. “These young performers shared the same platform that has hosted the likes of Sipho ‘Hotstix’ Mabuse, Amanda Black, Zoe Modiga and Msaki. That kind of validation is unforgettable—and deeply deserved.”
A Festival Favourite in the Making
Beyond the competition, the event drew crowds from all backgrounds and brought together generations of South Africans in celebration of cultural pride and performance. With its overwhelming success, there’s already talk of the Makhanda Igwijo Competition becoming an annual fixture on the National Arts Festival lineup—bringing together more young artists, more provinces, and more unforgettable moments.
The 2025 National Arts Festival runs until 6 July in Makhanda, Eastern Cape.
Full programme and tickets available at www.nationalartsfestival.co.za.
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