The National Arts Festival (NAF) was founded in 1974 and has become a highlight on South Africa’s cultural calendar.

It’s one of the biggest annual celebrations of the arts on the African continent and is hosted yearly in Makhanda (previously known as Grahamstown) in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.

The Festival programme includes performing arts (theatre, dance, stand-up comedy, and live music), visual art exhibitions, films, talks and workshops and takes place across approximately 60 venues including theatres, churches, schools as well as various outdoor locations.

This year Jaryd Pillay returns to NAF with his spicy, relatable, one-man comedy show, Passion of the Curry.

The show is inspired by true events and told through the eyes of a recovering narcissist and millennial – Jaryd Pillay.

Written and performed by Pillay – this is a show not to be missed and can be seen 24-29 June at the Graham Hotel.

Baked Shakespeare presents : As You Like It will bring a company of professionally trained actors – including our very own Erin Gemmell, to perform Shakespeare… with a twist.

With an interactive concept using a similar structure to the Off-Broadway hit Drunk Shakespeare,  Baked Shakespeare is set to make Shakespeare fun for the new generation!

Baked Shakespeare can be seen 27 June – 1 July in The Rehearsal Room in the Monument Building.

This year the NAF will be taking place 22 June – 2 July 2023 with the emphasise on Transformation and growing apace with artists, helping one of South Africa’s biggest arts festivals to stay relevant and sustainable!