Sikwane village is getting ready for a big celebration as the Madikwe Cultural Festival returns for its fourth edition on March 29, 2025, at Newville Gardens. This annual event, which is becoming more popular each year, brings people together to celebrate culture, music, and food while also helping local businesses and communities.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, the festival’s Marketing and Media Relations Officer, Henny Maruapula, said this year’s event will be even better. “We always try to improve the festival to give people the best experience. This year, we have made the VIP section more exciting and changed the lineup by adding more artists and fewer DJs to make sure there is a variety of entertainment,” he said.
The event will feature local artists, including MmaAusi, Skavenja (Kabelo Tiro), Kgobola Mr Chinese, Mmurubele, Tse Ditona Tsa Kalawa, Tawana Ya Koma, and Matipane. On the DJ lineup, music lovers can enjoy performances from DJ Basty, DJ Seann Lacoostaq, DJ Trax, DJ Molex, DJ 4DD, and DJ Olav Shiz. Radio personalities Lets Montsosa and Neo Skillo Aabobe will be the event hosts.
Beyond entertainment, the festival plays a big role in helping the local economy. Maruapula explained that many of the services for the festival come from the surrounding villages. “The food will be prepared by local women, security will be provided by people from the area, and even the venue, Newville Gardens, hires local workers to help with maintenance,” he said.
Festival goers will also enjoy traditional games like Mhele, Morabaraba, Kooi, and Diketo, as well as live performances of the traditional piano (Stinkane). A ticket to the event includes a serving of authentic Setswana food, with dishes such as bogobe jwa lerotse, phane, koko ya Setswana, nama ya podi, seswaa, kabu, and bojalwa jwa Setswana. “We want people to experience not just the music but also our rich food culture,” Maruapula added.
The festival organizers have prioritized safety and have hired a security company to manage access control, VIP and general areas, parking, and crowd monitoring.
Tickets for the event are available at Webtickets, Spar, Choppies, Maitisong, and Stee’s Corner Shop in Mmathubudukwane. Prices are P250 for a single normal ticket, P450 for a double normal ticket, P100 for children’s tickets and P750 for VIP tickets, which include a P150 drinks coupon, bottled water, traditional food, a branded cup, tented seating, VIP parking, and easy stage access. Festival merchandise is also available, with T-shirts priced at P250 and bucket hats at P100.
Since its start, the Madikwe Cultural Festival has continued to grow, and this year, the organizers expect 400 people. “It is amazing to see how the festival is growing,” said Maruapula. “We started small, but more people are now seeing its value, and we are proud of what it has become.”
The 2025 edition has received sponsorship from 4 Eyes Optometrist & Sports Vision Practitioner and Oceanic Water. Speaking at the press conference, Dr. Seabelo Maje, founder of 4 Eyes Optometrist & Sports Vision, said they decided to sponsor the stage and lighting because they wanted to give back to the Kgatleng community.
“We believe in supporting local events that bring people together. This festival is important for our culture and community, so we saw it as the perfect opportunity to help,” he said.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, the festival’s Marketing and Media Relations Officer, Henny Maruapula, said this year’s event will be even better. “We always try to improve the festival to give people the best experience. This year, we have made the VIP section more exciting and changed the lineup by adding more artists and fewer DJs to make sure there is a variety of entertainment,” he said.
The event will feature local artists, including MmaAusi, Skavenja (Kabelo Tiro), Kgobola Mr Chinese, Mmurubele, Tse Ditona Tsa Kalawa, Tawana Ya Koma, and Matipane. On the DJ lineup, music lovers can enjoy performances from DJ Basty, DJ Seann Lacoostaq, DJ Trax, DJ Molex, DJ 4DD, and DJ Olav Shiz. Radio personalities Lets Montsosa and Neo Skillo Aabobe will be the event hosts.
Beyond entertainment, the festival plays a big role in helping the local economy. Maruapula explained that many of the services for the festival come from the surrounding villages. “The food will be prepared by local women, security will be provided by people from the area, and even the venue, Newville Gardens, hires local workers to help with maintenance,” he said.
Festival goers will also enjoy traditional games like Mhele, Morabaraba, Kooi, and Diketo, as well as live performances of the traditional piano (Stinkane). A ticket to the event includes a serving of authentic Setswana food, with dishes such as bogobe jwa lerotse, phane, koko ya Setswana, nama ya podi, seswaa, kabu, and bojalwa jwa Setswana. “We want people to experience not just the music but also our rich food culture,” Maruapula added.
The festival organizers have prioritized safety and have hired a security company to manage access control, VIP and general areas, parking, and crowd monitoring.
Tickets for the event are available at Webtickets, Spar, Choppies, Maitisong, and Stee’s Corner Shop in Mmathubudukwane. Prices are P250 for a single normal ticket, P450 for a double normal ticket, P100 for children’s tickets and P750 for VIP tickets, which include a P150 drinks coupon, bottled water, traditional food, a branded cup, tented seating, VIP parking, and easy stage access. Festival merchandise is also available, with T-shirts priced at P250 and bucket hats at P100.
Since its start, the Madikwe Cultural Festival has continued to grow, and this year, the organizers expect 400 people. “It is amazing to see how the festival is growing,” said Maruapula. “We started small, but more people are now seeing its value, and we are proud of what it has become.”
The 2025 edition has received sponsorship from 4 Eyes Optometrist & Sports Vision Practitioner and Oceanic Water. Speaking at the press conference, Dr. Seabelo Maje, founder of 4 Eyes Optometrist & Sports Vision, said they decided to sponsor the stage and lighting because they wanted to give back to the Kgatleng community.
“We believe in supporting local events that bring people together. This festival is important for our culture and community, so we saw it as the perfect opportunity to help,” he said.
