FESTIVAL DETAILS FOR 2026

• All pieces to be performed must be either own compositions or any African song

• All registrations must be done 30min before the class commences. (Register the song name, composer and collect your ballot numbers before performances). 

• Every participant must be properly and smartly dressed. (Costumes that are too much revealing are discouraged). We encourage wearing of costumes/African attire in this festival though its optional.

• All musical pieces (Small Ensembles) must be of length between 2.30-3.00 minutes long. 2.00-2.30min for solos only & 1.30-2.30min for all ECDs - Grade 3 performances.

• All late entries are not entertained unless if the school communicates on time and a penalty will be charged. (Once the class has ended, no school/participant will be allowed to perform).

• Only one drum (Ngoma, Conga or Djembe) is allowed as an accompanying instrument for marimba ensembles (Two drums are allowed when being played by one person). For ensembles, accompanying instruments are only limited to only 3 African traditional instruments. (shakers, clappers and Ngoma, Conga/Djembe).

• The Mixed Ensemble for ECD & Grade 1-3 must have at least 3 types of instruments played by students with a Maximum of 16 participants. (Marimba, Mbira, Vocals, Shakers, Drums, Triangles etc.) Only 1 (adult) accompanist is allowed, and minimum assistance is permitted where necessary. Not more than 6 marimba pieces are allowed in this section. 

• Junior School section includes students from ECDs - Grade 3, Grade 4 up-to Grade 7, then High School section (Form 1-6 duets, trios & ensembles), (for solos, form 1-3 & 4-6), Open Section (Includes universities, polytechnics, colleges and Professional bands, non-schooling individuals.) 

• All videos must be captured from a fixed point close to the instrument with a minimum resolution of at least 1920x1080(HD) or better. All participants must fit into the video frame, and it should be clear (For virtual entries).

• Participants flouting festival rules will be disqualified. (e.g. cheating, submitting a video that does not follow the stated parameters OR have been used elsewhere).

• All pieces to be performed must be either own compositions or any African song.

• Medleys must have not more than two pieces and the majority of the piece must be one song. (Solos may do at most 3 songs in on piece)

• You can only enter a maximum of two ensemble entries per category.

• An institution can only register not more than 3 entries in the same category or age group, across all classes in the festival.

• Each marimba band/ensemble must have at least four players (on marimba) or at most 8 (on marimba) and a maximum of 12 participants including drums, shakers and dancers. 

• Every participant must be properly dressed. (Costumes that are too much revealing are discouraged). 

• All musical pieces (Ensembles) must be of length between 2.30-3.00 minutes long. 2.00-2.30min for solos only.

• Traditional category for marimba is compulsory for all registered marimba ensembles. The marimba ensemble registration fee covers for both Traditional and Contemporary category.

• Only a drum (Ngoma, Conga or Djembe) is allowed as an accompanying instrument for marimba ensembles (Two drums are allowed when being played by one person).

• For ensembles, accompanying instruments are only limited to only 3 African traditional instruments. (shakers, clappers and Ngoma, Conga/Djembe).

• A drum set may be included only in contemporary ensembles. NB. All accompanying instruments must have a volume lower than that of the main instruments.

• All pieces to be performed must be either own compositions or any song from Africa except for Special Entries.

• Medleys must have not more than two pieces. (The majority of the piece must be one song)

• All African indigenous songs in the vocal section should be in African languages. You are allowed to mix with English or any other non-African language as long as the piece/song is from Africa (for solos, duets, trios & ensembles).

• An institution is only allowed a maximum of two small ensemble entries in the vocal class.

• Vocal ensembles must have 4 to 12 participants.

• Only one accompanying instrument is allowed for solos, duets, trios and vocal ensembles. Accompanying keyboards/piano must be in piano voice/mode no layering, effects or use of dual voices is allowed.

• Special Category: Vocal Ensembles (All participants must sing any song/s by Tamy Moyo & refer to the general rules for vocals).

• NB. All accompanying instruments must have a volume lower than that of the singer/s.

• Junior Schools section includes students from ECDs, Grade 4 to 7. High School section (Form 1-6 duets, trios & ensembles), (for solos, form 1-3 & 4-6), Open Section (Includes universities, polytechnics, colleges and Professional bands, non-schooling individuals.)

• List of allowed accompanying instruments; Piano/Keyboard, Guitar, Mbira, African Drum Shakers, Marimba or any African traditional Instrument. 

• §  New categories in the vocal section Dancehall & Hip Hop (Solos, Duets & Trios). In these categories, all participants must perform songs that align with our 2025 festival theme: Resonance of Mental Wellness: A Festival Journey to Mental Harmony. To ensure uniformity and a high-quality experience, we will provide riddims/instrumentals for use in this section.

• §  Following our recent festival workshop, we are excited to introduce new categories in the vocal section Dancehall & Hip Hop (Solos, Duets & Trios). In these categories, all participants must perform songs that align with our 2025 festival theme: Resonance of Mental Wellness: A Festival Journey to Mental Harmony
  Tagline: Find your rhythm, heal your mind. To ensure uniformity and a high-quality experience, we will provide riddims/instrumentals for use in this section.

 Choirs

•  All pieces to be performed in the choir contemporary category must be any song done by Joyful Praise Choir (For Junior & Senior Schools) and Brenda Fassie (Tertiary/Open Institutions) with at least 4 distinctive parts (e.g. Soprano, Alton, Tenor & Bass) distinct vocal lines, then Junior Schools with at least 3 distinctive parts (e.g. Soprano, Alto & Tenor) distinct vocal lines.

• Medleys must have not more than two pieces. (The majority of the piece must be one song and from the same artist)

• All Choir performances must be of length between 3-5min max.

• An institution is only allowed to enter once in this section. 

• Junior schools section includes students from grade 4 up-to grade 7, then High School section (Form 1 to 6), Open Section (Includes universities, polytechnics, colleges and Professional bands, non-schooling individuals.)

• Participants flouting festival rules will be disqualified. (e.g. cheating, (Virtual) submitting a video that does not follow the stated parameters)

• All African Choirs may only have at most three accompanying instruments.

• The choir must have a minimum of 20 People and a maximum of 50 people (Excluding the accompanists). All accompanists or choir directors are not allowed to sing with the participants during their presentation. 

• List of allowed accompanying instruments; Piano/Keyboard, Guitar, Mbira, Shakers or Marimba. 

• NB. All accompanying instruments must have a volume lower than that of the singer/s.

• All pieces to be performed must be either own compositions or any African song.

• Medleys are not allowed in this section. Mbira players are encouraged to play clear and distinct rhythms or melodies from one musical piece. 

• You can only enter a maximum of two ensemble entries per category.

• Each mbira group/ensemble must have at least four players (on mbira) and at most 6 (on Mbira) with a maximum of 12 participants including drums, shakers and dancers. 

• Every participant must be properly dressed. (Costumes that are too much revealing are discouraged). 

• You are strongly encouraged to use a Nyunga-nyunga mbira in this section. (With an exception of the Open Class)

• NB. All accompanying instruments must have a volume lower than that of the main instruments. (See general rules.)

• Dancers may only use songs from Africa for their dance routines (medleys are allowed).

• An institution is only allowed a maximum of two ensemble entries per category.

• Dance ensembles must have a range of 4 to 10 participants.

• Every participant must be properly dressed. (Costumes that are too much revealing are discouraged). 

• All participants are encouraged to utilize the center stage more for perfect video capturing. 

• All instrumentals must be submitted 40min before the class to the festival Dj or MC in a folder written your school's name, group or participant's.