PLANS are well afoot as Limpopo Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET) in collaboration with other partners like Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality, Limpopo Tourism Agency, Department of Sports Arts and Culture Kruger National Park, Limpopo Economic Development Agency, Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA), etc. plans to host the 17th edition of Limpopo Marula Festival from 12-23 April 2023 in Phalaborwa. The MEC of LEDET, Mr. Rodgers Monama, made pronouncements on major activities of the festival during the media launch held in Polokwane on 16 March 2023.
Most of the festival activities including the open-air music concert will take place at Impala Park Stadium and as usual, this will like the previous years, happen over two successive weekends. The line up has just been released and the youth dance movement of the weekend of the 15th April 2023 will feature artists like King Monada, Master KG, Musa Keys, Lady Shiks, Sido & Manana, Ma joy, Ntombi Ya Mutsonga, and many more, while the weekend of the 22nd April 2023 will feature Dr Winnie Mashaba, Dr. Tumi, Makhadzi with Penny Penny, Mahlatse Vocal, Thapelo Molomo, Malondolo, Henny C, Rapson Rambuwani, and many more. Tickets for the public will be sold at R200 and for Comedy night will cost R100. People are encouraged to avoid late rush by purchasing their tickets on time.
The Government has taken a deliberate decision to empower communities around which Marula trees are found in abundance by establishing Cooperatives that brew Marula beer and produce other biproducts of Marula, such as achar, jam, cooking oil, soap, hand and body lotion, nuts, etc. To date there are in total over 14 such cooperatives which Government continues to support and help market beyond the borders of the province.
“Our involvement as Government in the facilitation of registration of these Cooperatives had good economic spin-offs on investment into the industry and the employment of rural community members who assist in harvesting and transportation of the fruit annually depending on the order from the organizers of the Marula festival”, said MEC for LEDET, Mr. Rodgers Monama. He further said, “We will not relent until this festival changes the living standard of our people in the province to the better”.
The town of Phalaborwa, because of its tourism profile and proximity to other major tourist destinations including the world’s renowned Kruger National Park, has been declared a permanent home for hosting the annual Marula festival. The town has a well-developed infrastructure, a wide variety of tourists’ accommodation, tourism products and numerous game lodges in proximity. It is easily packaged with products around Hoedspruit, Tzaneen, Modjadji’skloof, Magoebaskloof and Giyani serving as overflow areas for accommodation. This location and setting make Limpopo Marula Festival a major attraction for locals, domestic and international tourists.
To ensure the same quality brew for the festival, the same approach of brewing the beverage at a central venue will be followed. This ensures the standardization of the festival beverage. The required quantity for 2023 is six thousand (6 000) liters of Mukumbi/Vukanyi/Morula beverage. The supply will be provided by the thirteen (14) registered Mukumbi Cooperatives from various District Municipalities.
The 2023 Marula Festival is gradually creeping back to the original format of being held over a period of two weekends in April 2023, to be from April 15-22. In order to cater for the diverse needs of our target markets, the following venues will be utilized for the duration of the festival:
| Event/Activity | Venue | Date |
| Media Launch | Sun Meropa, Polokwane | 16th March 2023 |
| Ku Luma Vukanyi/Ku Luma Nguva/Go Loma Morula-Heritage Phenomenon | Muti Wa Vatsonga, Eiland | 3-4 March 2023 |
| Limpopo Marula Festival Cultural/Street Parade | Wildevye Park to Impala Park Stadium | 14 April 2023 |
| Limpopo Marula Festival Half Marathon | Kruger National Park and Bollanoto | 15 April 2023 |
| Youth Dance Movement Open air Music Concert | Impala Park Stadium | 15 April 2023 |
| Limpopo Marula Festival Flea Market | Wildevye Park | 19-22 April 2023 |
| Marula Festival Comedy Night | Lulekani Community Hall | 21 April 2023 |
| Limpopo Marula Festival Fun Fair Park | Impala Park Stadium | 12-23 April 2023 |
| Limpopo Marula Festival Golf Challenge | Tzaneen Country Club | 21 April 2023 |
| Limpopo Marula Open Air Music Concert | Impala Park Stadium | 22 April 2023 |
| Limpopo Marula Soul session | Wildevye Park | 23 April 2023 |
