Thank you for the Magic! – Cradle of Creativity Festival 2026

Thank you to our Hosts – The Market Theatre, Greg Homann, Rethabile Mothobi, Cherae Halley and the Market Photo Workshop for their use of the MPW auditorium and for the loan of easels for our exhibitions.

Thank you to all the teams in the theatre – the Front of House teams, Stage management and Technical teams, Producing and Administrative teams, the Publicity and Marketing, the Box Office teams, the Security and Cleaners – everyone has been fantastic and so willing to assist on every level.

Thank you to St. Benedict’s for letting us use your tyres for free for the festival. To Michael Inglis and Orlando from Cirk, our huge appreciation for your expertise and support in ensuring the safety of the circus elements.

Thank you to the ASSITEJ SA Board, who provide such excellent leadership and support, and who were there in full force at the closing.

Thank you to our incredible staff who have worked so hard to make this festival happen. The Education team – Tsholofelo Shounyane and Thembile Tshuma, the M&E team led by Tsholo – Thembalihle, Busisiwe and Sisipho, the Financial team – Nkosivumile, Themba, Ukhona and Melusi; the Marketing and Communications team – Kwanele, Bonga, Lungile, and Kesia

And to Kwanele for organising the Opening and Closing ceremonies and MC’ing so beautifully. Thank you also to our Wits interns: Glenn Nkuna and Julia Burnham.

A very particular thank you to the Operations and Logistics team, led by our Operations manager, Hailey Chisholm. Thank you to Omphile and Siyanda – you three have had the longest of hours, and have been responsible for organising so many elements of this festival. You are AMAZING!!!

And a big thank you to The BUZ Hive for supporting with publicity and marketing efforts.

Also a huge thank you all our SEF partners and ASSITEJ SA members who have been helping out in so many ways and particularly in terms of identifying and motivating audiences to come: Kyla Davis, Sistaboss Concepts, Zanele Mbatha, Sizwe Vilakazi, Sharon Tsebe, Gcebile Piliso Dlamini, The Windybrow Arts Centre, Nthabiseng Masiteng, Gerard Bester, Tallowah Suntsha, Palesa Mphalhlele, Abueng Mkhonza, Nkosana Kubekha, Pearl Khumalo, Nonhle Ngwenya and others…

And then ,thank you to the groups who performed at our Opening and Closing ceremonies: Amandla Dança Teatro ZA, Moving Into Dance, JAM, Gcebile Dlamini Foundation, @Johannesburg Society of the Blind, NTA, WindyBrow Art Centre, Circus Zambia, Windy Brow Marimba Band and the Young Western Guitarists.

You were fantastic – what a vibe, and what a joy to witness your talent.

Till next time, folks!!