Cultural Programme

We are honoured to present

REFA Festival's LIVE ACTS

MoAfrika wa Mokgathi

PERFORMING ON FRIDAY, 16TH SEPTEMBER AT 5:45PM

MoAfrika wa Mokgathi is a Mamelodi born, South African based multifaceted artist, who is a Poet, Author, Translator, Performer, Cultural activist, teaching artist, Performing Arts producer/Curator, VO Artist, award-winning Radio Presenter-Producer and a serial civic leader amongst many in her talent hat. MoAfrika is the author of “My tongue is a rainbow “her poetry debut collection which was launched in Washington DC (USA) in April 2019 as part of the Azania to DC (#AzaniaToDC) Poetry tour and cultural exchange. The collection explores marginalized languages which are dying out, race, equality and inequality, women and children abuse and all that jazz. MoAfrika is Co-founder of Hear My Voice an NGO that uses poetry as a catalyst to address social issues (Uncensored), Hear My Voice has been assisting poets through its Poetry Relief fund during the Covid-19 lockdowns in South Africa. She sits on the Airco (Association of Independent Record Companies) as a non-executive director and board member advocating for indies in the country.

iPhupho L'ka Biko

PERFORMING ON SATURDAY, 17TH SEPTEMBER AT 4PM

iPhupho L’ka Biko is an Africanist band, based in Johannesburg. The collective was formed in 2015 by bassist and composer Nhlanhla Ngqaqu. The members of the band met in Braamfontein where they frequently interacted in creative, social and academic spaces. Although founded months earlier the band was influenced by the Fees Must Fall moment. The name of the band was inspired by the late Moses Taiwa Molelekwa’s great tune ‘Biko’s Dream’ and the writings of the revolutionary Steve Bantu Biko, founder of the Black Consciousness Movement. Through music the band seeks to conscientize and spiritually awaken the human race globally. The collective explores themes such as spirituality, ritual, tradition, culture, religion, origins, race and displacement. In collaboration with Brownswood Recordings, iPhupho L’ka Biko in 2021 released a single titled ‘Abaphezulu’ which is part of the compilation album ‘Indaba Is’ curated by Siyabonga Mthembu and Thandi Ntuli. In the same year, iPhupho L’ka Biko also released their much-anticipated debut single ‘uThixo uKhona’ through Platoon and ALT BLK Continua, curated by Msaki. The band is currently in studio recording their EP for 2022 which will be followed by an album.

Band Members:

Nhlanhla Ngqaqu (bass) Lebohang Moleleki (drums) Sibusiso Malindzisa (piano) Miseka Gaqa (vocals)

Pulane Mafatshe (vocals) Sibusiso Mkhize (vocals) Moeketsi Kgotle (vocals) Koketso Poho (vocals)

Khutjo Nkwana (alto sax) Tumi Pheko (long cornet) Kgethi Nkotsi (trombone)

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