why graaff-reinet

why graaff-reinet

Graaff-Reinet is more than a location. It is a living monument to the journey of freedom.

This historic town, nestled in the vast Karoo, is the birthplace of Robert Sobukwe, a landscape that shaped his early convictions and bold vision for Africa.

"We meet here today, to rededicate ourselves to the cause of Africa, to establish contact beyond the grave, with the great African heroes and assure them that their struggle was not in vain."

Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe

By anchoring the festival in Graaff-Reinet, we invite audiences from near and far, to walk the landscapes of Sobukwe’s youth, to connect with communities who hold his memory dear, and to contribute to the cultural revitalisation of this region.

This year, from 5–7 June 2025, Graaff-Reinet will once again open its arms to the world, becoming a home for storytellers and seekers of freedom.