The Baxter Zabalaza Theatre Festival Champions Local Artists, Writers and Theatremakers

The 16th annual Baxter Zabalaza Theatre Festival is set to support local stories and artistic excellence, while giving a platform to the next generation of theatre makers.

The Baxter comes alive as a vibrant festival hub from 13 to 22 March 2026, with a programme featuring drama, comedy, theatre for children, jazz, live music, workshops, panel discussions, an exhibition and of course, delicious food and drink on offer. Here’s everything you need to know.

A Celebration of Young Talent and Local Artistry

For the past 16 years, the Baxter Zabalaza Theatre Festival has nurtured numerous artists and writers, making a significant contribution to the theatre landscape. Simultaneously, new audience members have had the chance to experience theatre for the first time. The Festival is a celebration of identity, community, creativity and resilience through inspiring theatre and dynamic storytelling.

The productions of this year’s Baxter Zabalaza Festival are:

The Battered Housewives’ Club (English, Afrikaans, IsiXhosa), Ages 14+
Egameni (English, IsiXhosa), Ages 14+
Behind the Frame (English, IsiXhosa, Sotho), Ages 14+
Becoming (English), Ages 14+
Themba: The Little Lion That Lost His Mane (IsiXhosa), Ages 6+
How To Train Your Thoughts (English, IsiXhosa, Setswana), Ages 14+
In Kinnes van Somers (English, Afrikaans, IsiXhosa), Ages 14+
When Black Men Disappear (IsiXhosa, English), Ages 15+
Bring Light (English, IsiXhosa), Ages 12+
It’s My Baby (English, Afrikaans, IsiXhosa), Ages 14+
Incindi Yedlaka (English, IsiXhosa), Ages 13+
Isibeleko, Es’belekweni (English, IsiXhosa), Ages 13+
BOUNCED (Physical theatre), Ages 3–6
Captain Kwanda’s Fanplastic Adventures (English, Afrikaans, IsiXhosa), Ages 6

The red-hot music line-up of the festival includes the popular Sunday jazz session, the RAW Experience, all-female band Mfazwe Ya Mwezi and on 18 March in the Concert Hall, Joliza Bhaca Soul in Ushuni WeBhaca, a celebration of traditional sounds, the honouring of cultural roots, African heritage and stories.

More information on all of the productions features in this year’s festival can be found on the Baxter’s website.