HARARE, Jul 20 (NewsDay Live) -More than 2 300 young musicians from four African countries will converge at St Dominic's Catholic School for Girls in Boksburg, South Africa, as Education Africa hosts the 2026 International Marimba & Steelpan Festival.
Running from July 24-26, the festival is the largest of its kind in the world.
Zimbabwe will field its largest delegation yet at this year's Education Africa International Marimba & Steelpan Festival, with ten schools and groups making the trip to Boksburg.
The Zimbabwean contingent includes Chiremba Primary School, Charles Wraith Primary, Eland Oak School, Giamari Zimbabwe (Rimbatainment), Hillcrest College, Ifalethu Arts Centre, Tynwald Primary School, Windview Primary School and Brookside International School — a line-up organisers say reflects the strength and depth of Zimbabwe's marimba education programmes.
Bringing together learners, educators, professional musicians and audiences from South Africa, America, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Lesotho, the annual festival has become one of South Africa's most inspiring celebrations of youth, music and cultural exchange.
Over three unforgettable days, dozens of schools and community organisations representing Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, the Eastern Cape, the Northern Cape, and other parts of the world will participate in performances, competitions, workshops and collaborative learning experiences that showcase the extraordinary power of music to unite communities across borders.
More than simply a music competition, the International Marimba & Steelpan Festival has become a platform for developing young talent, building confidence and celebrating cultural diversity while creating opportunities for thousands of children to perform on an international stage.
Education Africa's flagship event also demonstrates the organisation's long-standing commitment to education, youth development and social cohesion through the arts.
"This festival is about far more than winning," says James Urdang, founder of Education Africa.
"Every performance represents months of dedication, teamwork and discipline. When young people from different backgrounds, cultures and countries perform together, they demonstrate that music has the power to build understanding, friendships and hope. That is what makes this festival so special."
The festival programme will feature hundreds of performances by school and community marimba ensembles, steelpan bands and special performances across three action-packed days.
Participating schools include leading independent, public and special needs schools from across South Africa, alongside international groups from various countries, reflecting Education Africa's commitment to inclusion and equal opportunity through the performing arts.
The festival also serves as a fundraising platform supporting Education Africa's Marimba Programme, which continues to provide access to music education for young people who may otherwise never have the opportunity to discover their musical talents.
The festival promises an unforgettable celebration of rhythm, creativity and excellence.
