Latest news with #UguJazzFestival
TimesLIVE
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- TimesLIVE
Madala Kunene gifted R50k by KZN sport, arts and culture department
Celebrated jazz musician Madala Kunene was honoured at this year's Ugu Jazz Festival in Gamalakhe on Saturday. The festival made a return after a five-year break with renowned stars including Zonke Dikana, Mondli Ngcobo, Amu Faku, DJ Bruce and DJ Happy Girl on the stage. Madala, who was on a break due to health reasons, took to the stage to perform on the night and was handed a lifetime achievement award and a R50,000 cheque by the KwaZulu-Natal sport, arts and culture department. 'I've been honoured in the past, but this is the first time the award comes with a cash prize. I thank the organisers and the KZN government,' said Madala. 'As we close Youth Month, I'd like to plead with the youth to respect their elders and with men never to abuse women.' More than 2,000 fans attended the relaunch of one of the South Coast's signature events on the entertainment calendar. Event organiser Siyabonga Msomi of Coolsound Trading thanked fans for a successful event. 'We had expected a low turnout given the short time we had to put everything together and because it was a relaunch. It shows that people had been patiently waiting for the festival's revival. The real work begins now. We will take the feedback we've received and use it to prepare for 2026.'
TimesLIVE
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- TimesLIVE
Offramp Experience returns in partnership with Ugu Jazz Festival
The Offramp Experience returns in partnership with the Ugu Jazz Festival. The announcement that the jazz festival was back was made by the Ugu municipality after a competitive bidding process to find a suitable events company. Kicking off festivities are the Ultimate Fishing Competition in Margate on June 21 and the Mayor's Cup soccer tournament at the Ugu Sports and Leisure Centre on the same date. Gospel enthusiasts are in for a treat at the Worship Experience featuring well-known musicians and pastors at the Ugu Sports and Leisure Centre on June 27. June 28 will mark the return of the Ugu Jazz Festival on a small scale for now. Xolly Mncwango, Hlengiwe Mhlaba, Sgwili, Prophet Msimang and more are scheduled to perform at the two-day festival. Coolsounds Trading's Siyabonga Msomi was revealed as the successful bidder. Siyabonga expressed his excitement to TshisaLIVE, promising to raise the standard. The jazz festival will be staged in collaboration with his Offramp Experience, set for its third annual instalment in June. 'Offramp Experience is not a one-day event. It consists of activities curated to suit everyone's palate, drawing tourists, which is our main goal. June belongs to the south coast. We are relaunching it with plans to go bigger next year. For this year, we will host a limited number of guests,' said Siyabonga. Ugu mayor Sikhumbuzo Mqadi said the Ugu Jazz Festival was previously put on hold due to financial constraints. 'Our core mandate is to provide residents with water. I can confirm we have turned the corner in the provision of water. We are stable, so we are able to host an event of this magnitude and host tourists. It can bring people together and unite us through music', said Sikhumbuzo.
