Letters from our sponsors
PLAY WITH US THIS SPRING
PROF. WIM DE VILLIERS
Rector and Vice-chancellor: Stellenbosch University
The arrival of spring also brings with it excellent Woordfees entertainment – as diverse as the leafy Stellenbosch oaks. And in keeping with this year’s festival theme – “Play” – Matieland playfully invites you to a festival of drama, pathos, humour and musical fun.
We have been doing this now for almost two and a half decades. From a modest all-night celebration in the De- partment of Afrikaans and Dutch in 2000, the festival has blossomed, grown and flourished over the last 24 years into one of the country’s largest multilingual arts festivals that brings communities together to express the limitless potential of our intertwined humanity.
The festival stands on the cusp of change. As founder and host of the fes- tival SU, with loyal donors and corporate sponsors, remains connected to the festi- val and its presentation. An investment in the arts is an investment in the wellbeing of our community.
And, this year’s theme, “Play”, gives us further reason for hope and excitement.
So slip on your festival shoes and come add your sparkle to the merriment of this year’s Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees.
A FESTIVAL FOR ALL
LEON THERON
Senior Vice President: Sales and marketing Toyota South Africa Motors
Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) is once again a proud partner of the Stellenbosch Woordfees and we are looking forward to what promises to be an exceptional 2024 celebration of the performing and creative arts.
Dit is ons vyfde jaar in dié vennootskap, en ek weet Toyota word nou opreg as lid van die tribe aanvaar. Why do I say this? Well, because it is festivals such as the Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees that provide fascinating insights into the work of a group of individuals, bound by a common understanding.
These festivals are representatives of what makes a community work; of how a community expresses itself; and they provide a safe space where people are able to share the exploration of their identities. It is a unique way of presenting and supporting art and culture – both essential elements that give wings to our dreams and life to our present.
More importantly, the Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees allows us the opportunity to be part of something bigger – something that makes a tangible difference in the lives of so many of the talented people of our country. Talent is everywhere. Opportunity is not. So many young people from under-represented communities with unprecedented potential fall through the cracks simply because they are not aware of what is available. The Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees gives them a platform to “show and tell”, and in doing so serves as a catalyst that brings together people from all backgrounds and walks of life through performance.
Toyota has a similarly unifying commitment – we have been South Africa’s favourite car brand for more than 44 years, making memories and forging friendships that last a lifetime. Last year we celebrated our highest market share yet, with an almost 27% share of the market. This means that three out of every ten new vehicles bought in South Africa are Toyotas. Toyota is evolving. We call it “Changing the future of cars”. We already have the best-selling new energy vehicle on the market – the Corolla Cross Hybrid – and many more electrified products are on the way. Just watch this space. I wish all of you a fantastic festival in 2024 – enjoy every moment!
FORWARD PLAYFULLY
HENRIËTTE LOUBSER
Editor-in-Chief: Netwerk24 and Media24 Afrikaans News
In October, when we gather under the oaks in celebration of creativity, Netwerk24 will once again be a proud sponsor of the Stellenbosch Woordfees. This year’s festival theme “play” is an often under-estimated component for the health of our society. It is through play that we learn, create, innovate and experience those breakthrough moments that bring with them new insights.
The challenges of our daily lives are certainly not child’s play, but we can make better sense of them through the roles that actors play on the stage; by giving relevant roleplayers a platform for topical discussions; and by contextualising and interrogating what is at stake in our society.
Through play, (without under-playing anything) we can move forward, or at least feel that we understand each other and our issues better, despite the unpredictability of our journeys.
Join us at the Netwerk24 Café, come and ask questions every morning at the discussions with Netwerk24’s political editor, Gert van der Westhuzien, and presenter, Lynette Francis-Puren, and sit in on the midday discussion that Netwerk24 journalist Mia Spies conducts with interesting South Africans. Don’t forget to pop in at Sake & Sauvignon and enjoy a glass of wine while Theo Vorster talks about investment and finances.
Congratulations to the Woordfees team for this outstanding programme. Thank you for ensuring that Afrikaans never plays second fiddle, but continues to grow. We look forward to joining you on this year’s festival playground!
VALLEY OF FESTIVITIES
GESIE VAN DEVENTER
Executive mayor
It’s incredibly special for me to see our town’s streets, theaters and restaurants brimming with people during the Woordfees. The festival is a highlight on our town’s calendar and I always try to slip away in between work commitments to watch a few productions.
If you scroll through this incredible festival guide, you will see that there is an extraordinary amount of talent to be seen and heard this year! The diversity of choices and experiences that the festival offers is impressive and you can choose from an extensive selection of presentations, performances, concerts and talks. Everyone will find something that will be a “must-see”. My list of activities and shows is already compiled and I have to confess, I don’t know how I will get to everything!
Our involvement as a municipality and our contribution to the festival reflects our aims to make our residents part of the festival and to attract tourists from near and far to our valley. We want to inspire our community to explore new horizons and benefit from the cultural injection that the Woordfees annually brings to the Boland.
The festival takes place again this year in spring – a particularly beautiful time of the year in and around Stellenbosch. I invite you to join us in this celebration of the arts under the new leaves of our famous oak trees. In addition to the festival our town and our smaller neighboring towns have much to offer. I encourage you to explore them all to the fullest and to do as much as possible during the festival. Go hiking, explore the mountain trails, visit our museums, support our local businesses, eat at some of the best restaurants in the country and, most importantly – don’t go home without wine!
Enjoy the festival!
