Exploring the Rich Tapestry of Land, Heritage, and Art Through Multidisciplinary Performances, Exhibitions, and Culinary Delights
Courtesy of Hazendal Wine Estate
An exciting addition to the art scene is the inaugural Hazendal Festival in Stellenbosch this weekend. This curated art festival is dedicated to the life-fostering organic material – soil. The comprehensive programme includes a symposium, art exhibitions and installations, film screenings, performances, dance, and music.
Curated by Khanyisile Mbongwa, ‘Working with Soil’ is an archive with shared past, present, and future stories. The Soil Edition will be guided by the Nguni proverb “Belele nje, Abathulunga.” (They may be asleep, but they are not quiet).
Khanyisile says, “The commissioned works of the invited artists, scientists, spiritual healers and cultural innovators interlock to understand the fertility of soil from the varying practitioners’ points of view. These interventions are site-specific, engaging with the land and the soil from the practitioners’ own work with spirituality. As such, we invite those who come to the festival to be a part of the space, pivoting between being members of the audience and witnesses of encounters.” 
Khanyisile Mbongwa. Courtesy of Hazendal Wine Estate.
Creativity is at the heart of the Hazendal Festival, illustrating how important art is for research and questioning. Festival-specific commissions include a sculptural piece by Cape Town artist Thania Petersen and a live intervention by Sethembile Msezane. Multidimensional creative Sisonke Papu’s ‘ISIKHUMBUZ: Pillar of Remembrance’ is an installation designed to explore and honour the complex relationship between humanity, nature, and the cosmos through the lens of indigenous African knowledge and spirituality. At the heart of the installation is a tall, carved wooden pillar placed within an installation of coloured river sand. This project underscores the importance of indigenous knowledge preservation and transmission, offering a space for contemplation, healing and the renewal of cultural heritage. The festival will also host a gallery exhibition featuring works by celebrated South African artists, including Lady Skollie, Inga Somdyala, Warren Maroon, and Stephané E. Conradie. Participating artists at the inaugural Hazendal Festival | Soil edition are Abri de Swardt, ASSITEJ, Athi-Patra Ruga, Atiyyah Khan, Buhlebezwe Siwani, Congo Cowboys, DJ Daddy, DJ Gontse (Phastoki), DJ Ghost Bunny, Ms Flora Gbodossou, Dr Uhuru Phalafala, Dr. Christian Lueme, Ernestine Deane, Faatimah Mohamed-Luke, Faye Kabali Kagwa, Felipe Castelblanco, Inga Somdyala, Kafui Awoonor, Kujenga, Lady Skollie, Lebohang Kganye, Lerato Shadi, Li’tsoanelo Zwane, Luke de Kock, Lungi Morrison, Majozi, Ntone Edjabe – Chimurenga, Phetogo Kgosierileng, Prof Sechaba Bareetseng, Prof. Kensese Mossanda, Prof. Simeon Materechera, Queezy Babaz, Santiago Mostyn, Senzeni Marasela, Sepideh Rahaa, Sethembile Msezane, Sisonke Papu, Stephané E. Conradie, Tapiwa Guzha, Tebogo Louw, Thania Petersen, Tinyiko Makwakwa, Ukhona Ntsali Mlandu, Vusi Ndlovu, Warren Maroon, Waterfront Theatre School and Zolani Mahola and The Feminine Force.
Accompanying the festival is a 2-day symposium curated by Khanyisile Mbongwa, which engages with our conceptions of geological time in the spirit of holding space for both grief and love – working with soil as an archive that holds shared stories of the past, present and future. Hosted by cultural activist Lungi Morrison, with a keynote by thought leader Ukhona Ntsali Mlandu – the Symposium brings together leading thinkers in the fields of art, science and culture to create an interdisciplinary mapping of ecological grief as a form of love – exploring the practice of Rematriation as an Indigenous knowledge system which offers a helpful and needed lens for humanity to transition away from soil exploitation and towards land repair and land care.
Courtesy of Hazendal Wine Estate
The two-day Symposium aims to foster a more compassionate relationship with the environment. It encourages attendees to reflect on the ways our connection to the land can inspire emotional and intellectual growth, which can drive meaningful change, entrenching the estate’s belief that land is our responsibility to work on and with and a place to explore the bond between land, heritage, and our shared responsibility. Facilitated by art advisor and curator Lungi Morrison, the Symposium will encourage public conversations between invited artists, leading academics, and scientists. This thoughtful discussion will deepen our understanding of how our connection to the land can inspire emotional and intellectual growth. It will also explore fostering a more compassionate relationship with the environment and driving meaningful change. Participating thought leaders are Professor Sechaba Bareetseng, who works in the scientific research and development industry focusing on Biotechnology, and Simeon Materechera, a professor of Soil Science and Director of the Indigenous Knowledge Systems at the North-West University. The art coordinator, cultural curator, and writer Faye Kabali-Kagwa are on the artistic side. Other contributors are Dr Christian Lueme, Prof. Kensese Mossanda, Dr Uhuru Phalafala, Li’Tsoanelo Zwane and Ukhona Ntsali Mlandu.
Storytelling through dance – Renowned South African director, choreographer, and performing artist Luke de Kock brings the Camissa Heritage Tour to the Hazendal Festival. With a cast of 16 performers, this production will move through the site, narrating the story of indigenous Cape communities and our colonial past. Through this artistic and educative project, the performance will focus on the narratives of the Indigenous People of South Africa. Luke will also facilitate a short Camissa Dance workshop during the Symposium.
Courtesy of Hazendal Wine Estate
The festival isn’t just for the grown-ups. Visual artists and designer Faatimah Mohamed-Luke has crafted a series of workshops for children that foster creativity, play and a deeper connection to the environment. While the adults engage in cultural conversations, the little ones can enjoy their own curated experience. From playful moments to hands-on crafting, each activity is designed to inspire curiosity and fun. The dedicated sessions will occur at Hazendal’s interactive children’s edutainment centre, Wonderdal. They will run alongside the Symposium, leaving our youngest guests to enjoy their immersive journey through the Hazendal Festival | Soil Edition. The children’s programme will run from 10 am-4 pm on Saturday and Sunday, in parallel with the rest of the festival’s daytime programme.
As one of the oldest wine estates in Stellenbosch, Hazendal boasts a long tradition of crafting wines that truly express the coastal terroir of this unique corner of Winelands. More recently, the estate has turned to distilling vodka from the grapes. Unsurprisingly, culinary delights and delicious drinks will be at the forefront of the fantastic weekend fest. These include a home-grown dinner created by the fine dining Zulu chef Vusi Ndlovu (together with Hazendal’s Head Chef Michelle Theron). Vusi made a name for himself by working at notable restaurants in South Africa and Europe. He is one of the founding members of the African Culinary Library, a resource dedicated to preserving and promoting African culture and cuisine. Also on offer is a wine and vodka-tasting intervention with multidisciplinary artist Queezy Babaz to get you in the spirit and tap your toes. Queezy bridges the intersections of fine art, fashion, and performance, creating immersive worlds through videography, drag performances and DJ sets.
Tapiwa Guzha. Courtesy of Hazendal Wine Estate
Discover and play with practical workshops that allow attendees to learn by doing. One such event will be hosted by Tapiwa Guzha, the founder of Cape Town’s Tapi Tapi ice cream shop. Using food, Tapiwa aims to reach people and get them to listen and debate subjects such as the past, Afro-identities and colonial legacies.
For wine and art aficionados, launching the special edition Hazendal MCC (Méthode Cap Classique) label designed by artist Athi-Patra Ruga is a hot happening. Umtata-born Athi-Patra’s work spans the mediums of costume, performance, video, and photography. His colourful, dreamlike imagery of myths and alternative identities can be found in collections worldwide, including the Smithsonian Museum of African Art and the Foundation Louis Vuitton collection. We can’t wait to see how he elevates a wine label to a work of art.
As evening falls and the stars shine bright, the Hazendal Estate will come alive with a celebration of land, heritage, and shared experiences. Live music sets the tone for an evening of dance; Zolani Mahola and The Feminine Force, Tebogo Louw and DJs Daddy, Gontse and Ghost Bunny will play various genres from afro to deep house. Bespoke food and drink pairings will reflect the rich flavours of the environment and the bounty of the soil – with each dish thoughtfully crafted to honour the connection between nature and nourishment. This is the perfect opportunity to embrace the warmth of community and the vibrant energy of the festival, creating moments that will linger long after the night ends.
The festival occurs from Friday, 4 October to Sunday, 6 October. For more information and tickets, visit https://www.hazendal.co.za/
