Marula Festival postponed as Limpopo redirects funds to flood recovery

The Limpopo provincial government has postponed the 2026 Marula Festival, citing severe flood damage, humanitarian concerns, and disrupted infrastructure in the host town of Phalaborwa. Premier Phophi Ramathuba announced the decision on Thursday. Phalaborwa was set to host the iconic festival in early March at Impala Park Stadium, as the event celebrates its 20th anniversary.

The Marula Festival is one of Limpopo’s flagship cultural events and a key driver of tourism and small business activity, particularly for vendors and local SMMEs. Ramathuba said the provincial government had taken a “difficult but necessary decision” to postpone all build-up activities linked to the Marula Festival, including the main open-air music event. “It will not be fair for the Premier to be on the stage dancing and celebrating.

Celebrating what? When her own people are without water, her own people are cut out of the other community,” Ramathuba said. Funds originally allocated to the festival will instead be redirected to rebuild infrastructure and restore services in Phalaborwa.

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Provincial authorities acknowledged the economic impact of the postponement but said humanitarian needs must come first. She said the festival would return once conditions stabilise. “We want to ensure that when the Marula Festival comes back, it does so in a safe and dignified environment that Phalaborwa can be proud of,” she said. The province said it would continue to update the public on disaster response efforts and any future plans for the festival through official channels.

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