Under the shade, stories come alive
Dec 04–05
- Celebrating theatre and storytelling under the shade
- Thohoyandou Arts and Culture, next to Thavhani Mall
- Art · Culture · Dance · Food · Storytelling · Music
Creative Call-out
Creative call-out 2026
Mirunzini Theatre Festival is calling on artists, theatre-makers, performers, musicians, dancers, facilitators and industry practitioners to become part of its inaugural festival programme.
Bring us a play, a dance, a song cycle, a story told the old way or a new one, a workshop you have been waiting to run. If it lives on a stage or under a tree, there is room for it here. Applications go through our own portal, the same one our filmmakers use. It is free to apply.
- Free to apply
- Share a video or audio sample
- Track your application online
About the festival
Stories, under the shade
In Tshivenda, mirunzini means in the shade: the place under the tree where people have always gathered to tell stories, sing and dance.
Mirunzini Theatre Fest brings that gathering to Thohoyandou for two days of theatre, dance, music, storytelling and spoken word, with food, craft and culture around it. It is the inaugural edition, and it is built for artists from Limpopo and across South Africa.
- When
- 4–5 December 2026
- Where
- Thohoyandou Arts & Culture Centre, next to Thavhani Mall
- Presented by
- Ngoma Productions
Under the shade
Where stories come alive
Who can apply
Find your stage
Choose the category that fits your work. One application can go into more than one category.
Theatre
Plays, physical theatre, devised and community theatre.
Dance
Traditional and contemporary dance, solo or ensemble.
Music and Live Performance
Live music, choirs, drumming and performance art.
Storytelling and Spoken Word
Storytelling under the shade, poetry, praise poetry and spoken word.
Workshops and Masterclasses
Facilitators proposing a workshop, masterclass or talk.
How to apply
Four steps, one portal
Sign in with your email
No password. We send you a six-digit code.
Tell us about you
Your contact details, once. Under 18? A parent or guardian signs off.
Describe your work
What happens on stage, who is in it, how long it runs and what you need technically.
Share a sample and submit
A link to a video or audio recording. You get a reference number by email.
Call for partnership
Let's build the stage together
Whether you're a brand, organisation, institution or creative business, there's a place for you at the festival. We're looking for partners who believe in the power of theatre, culture and community.
- Brand partnerships
- Programme and production support
- Arts and education
- Media and marketing
- In-kind and strategic partnerships
Your brand. Our platform. A shared vision for African stories.
Partner with us
