Fak'ugesi Festival adds power to Africa's digital arts

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This will be an online festival with in-person workshops, and activations taking place in and around various sites in Braamfontein, Johannesburg.

The festival attendees won’t have to endure a handful of Zoom panels. It will be an immersive, multifaceted virtual experience, including workshops, a conference, screenings and exhibitions, a new virtual expo, and a full slate of awards for vibrant young creators breaking the mould in digital creativity.

Fak’ugesi Festival curator, Dillion S. Phiri says, “Technology and creativity are at the epicentre of society right now, and for a while to come. Africa needs to embrace and celebrate how far we've come and how these two innovative spaces are shaping our daily lives. The Fak'ugesi Festival is about showcasing some of the best work created where these fields intersect on the continent. We have various content and a high calibre of talent in Africa and are excited about the future that tech and creativity make possible."

Founded in 2014 as a collaboration between Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct and the Wits School of Arts, Digital Arts Department, the festival has, over the past seven years, been a great gathering for creatives using technology and has reached 6000 annual participants. The festival has featured some of Africa’s globally renowned digital artists such as Bokang Koatja, animator and development artist; Natalie Peneng, a multi-disciplinary artist and Xopher Wallace, Creator, Visual artist and AR Designer.

The name Fak’ugesi means “switch on” or “add power” in urban Zulu, and was initially named by the late Shonisani Lethole, a kind, generous and inspiring entrepreneur, and remarkable contributor of the creative industry.

For more, go to fakugesi.co.za.