The Zambezi Fest brought South African cuisine, music, culture, and rugby to Northampton, giving expats and their families a chance to once again experience familiar smells, sounds, and tastes.
For South Africans living in the United Kingdom, the feeling of home was sometimes found in simple things: the smell of meat cooked over a fire, a plate of pap with ragout, or even a bottle of the green drink Cream Soda. These familiar elements became central features when Zambezi Fest returned to Northampton.
This cultural festival from South Africa took place at Overstone Event Field from August 27th to 30th and brought together food vendors, musicians, storytellers, and families. Some visitors stayed for all four days, while others came for just one day.
Zambezi Fest Director, Joe Waggot, described the event as a celebration of 'South African music, food, culture, sport, family, and friendship.' The festival celebrated many aspects that make South Africa a home, even when far away, including boerewors, bunny chow, music, storytelling, and the Springboks rugby.
In its second edition, the festival gathered South Africans and the wider public from across the UK, which Waggot called 'home away from home.' Food was one of the main reasons for attending; stalls offered beloved dishes such as boerewors, biltong, braai meat, bunny chow, and pap. Even Cream Soda became a nostalgic magnet, reminding many South Africans of childhood birthdays and family gatherings.
Bhekis Dlamini, who grew up in Soweto and has lived in the UK for seven years, noted: 'For someone at home, it might just be a bottle of cream soda, but here in the UK, seeing that bottle takes you back to childhood birthdays and family gatherings.'
For families raising children in Britain, the festival also provided an opportunity for the younger generation to experience the culture they inherited from their parents. Dlamini shared that his child was two years old when the family moved to the UK, and now he is nine, so much of their connection to home was maintained through family stories and food. He added: 'At the festival, they can experience this themselves, try the food, hear the music, and be among people who share our culture.'
Sometimes home is a song, a plate of pap with ragout, or listening to the national anthem surrounded by people who truly understand its meaning. Zambezi Fest brought these moments home to South Africans living in the UK.
The festival's marketplace featured handmade crafts, clothing, and goods inspired by South Africa. The entertainment program included music, comedy, storytelling, and children's activities. South African host and artist MC Crazy Werrie led part of the program. Musical performances included Helen Kendall, Castella, and Third Wheel, as well as Hashtags, Black Mamba Man, Alex Cavan, Josh Ansley, and Nathan Smith.
Storytelling sessions were conducted by Heads and Tails, where Andy Copps and John Kirk utilized South African narrative traditions. The program also included a scavenger hunt, summer games, bonfire events, face painting, and a family parade.
Sport became another important link to home: on Saturday, August 29th, the second match between the Springboks and the All Blacks was broadcast on a large screen. The viewing party, sponsored by Mukuru, was scheduled for the start of the match at 5:10 PM South African time. Victor Moyo, Mukuru's manager in the country, stated that the Springboks could become a powerful link to home for South Africans living abroad.
Ultimately, the festival offered more than just headline acts: everyday moments, from sharing familiar food to listening to a long-forgotten song or watching the Springboks with other South Africans, helping to bridge the distance to the homeland.