We need more platforms where young African creatives and innovators can converge amid the fast-changing digital landscape. Taking place from October 2-5 at the Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct in Braamfontein, in collaboration with Wits School of Arts’ Digital Arts Department, the Fak’ugesi Festival celebrated the intersection of technology, art, and African culture. Rooted in the belief that innovation must emerge from local cultural practices and creativity, the festival emphasized the importance of aligning tech with Africa’s artistic heritage.
The Tshimologong Precinct seemed like the perfect location for this year’s iteration of the festival. Tshimologong CEO Mark Harris shared, “As a hub for digital incubation, we see the festival as an opportunity to showcase outstanding talent and cutting-edge developments in the digital space.” Haseena Cassim, Managing Director of YFM, noted, “Our partnership with Tshimologong was a natural fit. Fak’ugesi embodies the same real-time innovation we promote, aligning seamlessly with our role in the digital evolution of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.”
Building on the success of its 10th-anniversary celebration, the 2024 Fak’ugesi Festival, themed Until Unlocked, emphasizes the role of technology in shaping Africa’s future. The theme aligns with global efforts to decolonize technology and reclaim digital spaces for marginalized voices. Fak’ugesi’s blend of international collaboration and local relevance ensures that African digital creators not only engage with global discourses but also reshape them from an indigenous perspective, reinforcing the transformative potential of digital innovation across the continent.
There was an important element of community building throughout the festival. It brought together individuals and collectives from various fields including tech enthusiasts, digital creators, gamers, animators, and brands, to explore innovative intersections of technology, art, and culture. Director Eduardo Cachucho noted, “We continue to push the limits of African innovation, but it’s equally important to create spaces for shared experiences. Fak’ugesi provides that gathering point where technology, storytelling, and creativity meet.”
This year’s program included masterclasses, hackathons, extended reality (XR) experiences, and live performances, highlighting advancements in AI, gaming, and animation, and showcasing the transformative potential of digital creativity in Africa. With initiatives like Games for Change Africa and the Fak’ugesi Awards, the festival champions inclusivity and innovation.. This blend of creative expression and technological exploration positions Fak’ugesi as a space to imagine new futures for Africa in a digitally interconnected world.
This year, Fak’ugesi announced YFM as its exclusive media partner. Founded in 1997, YFM (99.2 FM) is a Johannesburg-based youth radio station that has significantly contributed to the rise of urban music genres like Kwaito, Hip-Hop, and R&B, supporting emerging artists at the start of their careers. Though it has an extensive legacy in South Africa’s cultural scene, YFM engages with the continent’s younger, tech-savvy audience, so Fak’ugesi’s choice to partner with Y is an intriguing alignment straddling the past, present and future.
Speaking of the future, there were hella kids there, including an entire Family Day and Infographic screen at the entrance showing the exciting demographics of the attendees. With its forward facing strategies, Fak’ugesi did a commendable job at integrating art, culture, and technology, responding timeously to key discussions on decolonization, inclusion, and innovation. Going forward, the festival could become essential for those following digital creativity’s evolution on the continent.
