DELMAS — A two-day Delmas Community Theatre Festival aimed at developing the local performers and strengthening the creative sector will take place at the Delmas Sports Centre on 13–14 March 2026, offering workshops, master classes, performances, and networking opportunities for artists and administrators in the area.
Programme Director, Sherly Mthombeni, described the festival as a long-awaited opportunity for local artists. She added that the initiative exists to develop and promote the arts in Delmas, providing a space where talent can grow and community stories can be celebrated.
“[The festival] is a space where talent can grow, voices can be heard, and stories from Delmas can be celebrated through theatre and performance,” she said.
Festival representative Sindiso Nhlabathi said the workshops are intended to enhance skills, establish networks, and contribute to the overall development of Delmas.
“The workshops are designed to enhance the skills of practitioners within the Delmas community, with the objective of cultivating proficient administrators for the creative industry,” said Nhlabathi.
“They also aim to establish a valuable network of skills within the community that can contribute to Delmas’ overall development.”
A central component of the programme is voice and body integration, which organisers describe as fundamental tools for any performer. Participants will learn techniques to maintain their physical and vocal abilities while refining their performance skills.
“The body and voice are a performer’s essential tools,” Nhlabathi explained.
“Continuously learning new ways to develop and refine them is crucial for delivering exceptional performances. These sessions are meant to equip performers with the knowledge to care for these tools so they remain sharp and reliable throughout their careers.”
The festival also addresses broader socio-economic challenges faced by young creatives. Organisers said limited opportunities exist despite abundant talent, and the initiative aims to ignite a sustainable local creative industry while building connections that could unlock economic prospects.
“In a community where opportunities are scarce but talent abounds, the festival aims to ignite the local creative industry and build networks that can unlock economic prospects through the arts,” Nhlabathi said.
Local creative Mandla Masuku, popularly known as Mish Mosh, is supporting the festival by coordinating promotion and logistics.
Masuku said his involvement stems from his connection to Delmas and his passion for nurturing the arts sector and highlighted the importance of collaboration between artists across regions, particularly between Gauteng and Mpumalanga.
Masuku described the 2026 festival as the beginning of a long-term cultural movement in Delmas and encouraged residents and artists across Victor Khanye Local Municipality to support the initiative.
“Let’s fill the theatre with love, laughter and standing ovations,” Masuku said in a message to the community on behalf of the #DelmasTheatreFestival team.
Organisers said the programme also aims to address the skills development gap for talented individuals who lack access to formal education in the arts. Annual master classes and workshops are intended to empower creatives and strengthen the local creative economy.
In the long term, festival organisers envision establishing a state-of-the-art auditorium in Delmas, which would serve as a permanent hub for theatre, training and artistic collaboration. If realised, the facility could become a key platform for artistic expression while contributing to the cultural and economic growth of the Victor Khanye community.
