As South Africa observes Women’s Month, the Imbawula Music Festival makes its powerful debut, igniting a vital platform for conversations and collective action. This Saturday, August 2nd, 2025, the Pretoria Botanical Gardens will transform into a vibrant space of rhythm, remembrance, and resistance, blending music with a crucial message of unity and action against Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
“The ‘imbawula’ was more than a source of warmth in our homes; it served as a sacred gathering point where families shared stories, unpacked their day, and connected deeply,” says Nqobile Mahlangu, Event Organiser and Director of the Imbawula Music Festival. “At its heart, the imbawula symbolizes unity, resilience, and reflection, values essential in the ongoing fight against GBV.”
The festival is anchored by the voices of Amanda Black, Velemseni, and Bholoja (from Eswatini), artists renowned for their commitment to using music as a tool for authentic storytelling and healing. This year, their performances will weave together storytelling and musical healing, promising a deeply impactful experience. They will be joined by a diverse and celebrated lineup, including Kelvin Momo, Trompies, Mörda, Zee Nxumalo, El Musician, alongside PTA’s very own Sje Konka, Dinho, and Saul Madiope, and many more, with the charismatic Somizi Mhlongo serving as the official host.
Beyond the festival, Imbawula integrates music, art, delicious food, and crucial conversations to foster genuine connection and inspire collective action against Gender-Based Violence. It’s a powerful call to unite, remember, and resist, echoing the spirit of the imbawula: a fire for warmth, community, and lasting change.
“Imbawula uses music as a powerful force for change,” says Nqobile. “We created this space to honour the stories silenced by violence, to celebrate resilience, and to inspire real change through culture and community. Music is our bridge; it brings us together and moves us forward.”
