WeeklySA_AdminUNIQUE: In response to South Africa’s growing substance abuse crisis, Nomsa “Nomisupasta” Mazwai and her sisters debut Sober Fest at Soweto Theatre — a bold, family-friendly celebration of music, wellness and community without mind-altering substances…
By Jabu Kumalo
The scourge of alcoholism and drug abuse in South Africa has prompted the famous Mazwai sisters to come up with a unique initiative seeking to give families “a feeling of freedom, wellness and enjoyment without the use of mind-altering substances”.
One of the three sisters, Nomsa “Nomisupasta” Mazwai, a South African Music Award-winning artist, socio-economic developer and cultural leader, will be coming together with her sibings to launch Sober Fest, a sober lifestyle event focusing on music, food and wellness at Soweto Theatre on April 26.
The event will kick-off at 10am and run till 6 pm. In an interview with Weekly SA Mirror, on what triggered this idea, Nomisupasta said: “I am recently sober, and, as a newbie, I need to protect my sobriety. Drinking had become such a big part of my life.
“It took a lot of my leisure time and my weeks were effectively shorter than 7 days. My time disappeared as I slept off the night before. Being newly sober and trying to stay joyful and free, I struggled to find cool spaces, with dynamic entertainment content from compelling and headlining artists.
“I was aching for a sober festival experience. Great acts, great atmosphere, no triggers. I wanted to enjoy an experience without remembering or having to remind myself that I cannot join in the drinking festivities.
“We are starting small but our vision is to leverage a societal challenge to provide a service and experience to the global sober community. Talk about turning a lemon into sweet lemonade,” she added.
As this was a family-oriented gig, she said they also have a supervised kids’ zone for parents who will be coming with children of walking age.
“Children can also join their parents in wellness activities and, of course, explore the craft and food market,” said Nomisupasta, who is the owner of Sober Fest.
Her sister,Thandiswa Mazwai, will be headlining the festival with Nomisupasta and Maleh. They will be joined by DJ Kenzhero and Vester Sdizo. The outspoken Ntsiki Mazwai, a renowned poet and podcaster, will be host of the gig.
She said organisations that deal directly will alcoholics and drug addicts, such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, among others, have been invited and will be hosting stalls where festival goers can engage with them.
She said: “The festival is a manifestation of freedom from addiction. There is a solution. Yes, all addicts will have access to information regarding the different solutions that are available and will be able to engage with people in recovery because sobriety requires community.”
Besides music, Sober Fest curates a holistic wellness experience which includes breathwork with Lebo Nke, yoga facilitated by Thando from Here and Now, a sound bath, guided walking tours to local liberation heritage sites and comedy by Khanyisa Bunu. There will also be a marketplace of food and craft stalls, including wellness products and different food options.
Nomisupasta wants the attendees to leave with a sense of awe, exclaiming: “What a great festival!”
Not only that, they should also be seized by a sense of anticipation, wondering “who is on the line-up next year”, and telling themselves that they can’t wait to participate in forthcoming Sober Fest activations throughout the year.”
Tickets are available via Webtickets.
The festival is presented by Soweto Night Out Tours & Soweto Theatre and supported by Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles and Media 24.
