Malibongwe igama lamakhosikazi
Let the name of the women be praised.
The Malibongwe Arts Festival Foundation is the charitable arm of the Malibongwe Arts Festival, using the platform of South Africa's Tribute to Women festival to recognise, equip and empower women, with an intentional focus on rural and underserved communities.
A festival that became a foundation.
The Malibongwe Arts Festival, a Tribute to Women concert, was established by Sheer Entertainment at Emmarentia Dam in August 2018. It has since drawn a loyal national audience of more than ten thousand people each year.
In 2024 the festival invited the Ministry of Women in the Presidency to address its audience. Motivated by that partnership, Sheer Entertainment established the Foundation to turn the festival's cultural platform into a sustained movement that promotes active, healthy and happy citizens.
The Foundation is chaired by Dr Criselda Kananda, and dedicated to the upliftment and empowerment of women across all nine provinces, particularly those in rural and underserved communities who have been overlooked by many mainstream initiatives.
What we do
We deliver through festivals that convene national audiences, training that builds practical skills, and community programmes that address specific challenges facing women and young people.
Festivals and cultural events
The annual Malibongwe Arts Festival and Tribute to Women concert, plus benefit and commemorative events.
Arts training and development
Workshops in the business of music, royalties and needle time, new venture creation, project management and proposal writing.
Youth talent development
Talent searches and showcases across music, dance, poetry, drama, visual arts, content creation and podcasting.
Creative entrepreneurship
Support for women-led businesses, cooperatives and SMMEs, including free market stalls and skills workshops.
Health and dignity
Period poverty and reproductive health interventions in schools, delivered with partner organisations.
Advocacy and dialogue
Convening government, industry and civil society on gender-based violence, moral regeneration and women's participation.
Tribute to Women
Our flagship festival: a colourful, day-time, family-friendly picnic celebrating women through the best live music South Africa has to offer, held every Women's Month.
Women-led businesses, cooperatives and SMMEs sell their goods and crafts at the festival market. Stores owned and run by women are not charged a table reservation fee.
What we delivered in 2025
Between August and November 2025 the Foundation launched and delivered a full programme of work across skills development, health, festival production and national advocacy.
Foundation launch and artists workshop
Launched together with a workshop on the business of music, royalties and needle time. The keynote was given by Mr Pfanani Lishivha, Chief Executive Officer of the South African Music Performance Rights Association.
Malibongwe Annual Festival
Women entrepreneurs showcased their crafts at Tribute to Women. The festival was attended by former First Lady Mrs Zanele Mbeki and the Deputy Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Ms Mapaseka "Steve" Letseke.
Period health at Lyttelton Primary School
We spoke to girls at Lyttelton Primary School about period health and reproductive health, and donated sanitary pads with our social entrepreneurship partner Africa L.E.O. The school recognised the visit with a certificate of appreciation.
16 Days of Activism dialogue
With the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, and endorsed by a message of support from the Presidency, we co-hosted "Rewriting the Script: Harnessing Film, Arts and Media to Prevent GBVF" at Gallagher Estate, bringing artists, broadcasters and policymakers together to change how stories about women are told.
How we work
A repeatable model: use the festival to bring people together, turn attention into capability, and deliver alongside partners who bring reach and specialist skill.
Convene
The festival gives us a platform that reaches tens of thousands of people and opens doors to government, media and industry.
Equip
Workshops and training in the business of music, new venture creation, project management and digital skills.
Advocate
Dialogues and campaigns that bring artists, media and policymakers together to shift the narratives that shape attitudes.
Partner
Delivery happens with government departments, broadcasters, industry bodies, schools and social enterprises.
- Recognition and empowerment of women, with priority on rural and underserved communities
- Youth participation in the creative economy
- Health, dignity and wellbeing programmes in schools and communities
- Prevention of gender-based violence and femicide
- Market access for women-led businesses, cooperatives and SMMEs
- Social cohesion and active citizenry through arts and culture
Our work in pictures
Who we work with
We deliver with government departments, broadcasters, industry bodies and social enterprises.
Also working with Sheer Entertainment, the Khutlo-Tharo Skills and Development Agency in Sharpeville, Soweto Business Access, the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture, Brand SA, the Moral Regeneration Movement, and traditional leaders and local arts councils.
Work with us
We develop every programme with partners, and welcome conversations with funders, sponsors and delivery organisations who share our priorities.
- Registered office
- 77 Bram Fischer Drive, Randburg 2194, South Africa
- Telephone
- +27 87 802 9024
+27 73 697 4370 - info@malibongwe.org