The Fak’ugesi Festival turned up the energy this year with its Power Surge theme, bringing together African culture, creativity, and technology from the 7th to 12th October 2025 at the Tshimolgong Precinct, Braamfontein. The festival was buzzing from art and storytelling to VR experiences, panel talks, and award celebrations. These all showed how Africa continues to shape the future through imagination and innovation.
The festival opening night took place on the 9th of October, with a 360-degree dome experience, where guests stepped into the world of African storytelling. One of the showcases featured Thabiso, who took the audience through his projects: Chosi Chosi, Black Boi meets Boogymen, and Guardian of the Leeds. Each story brought African myths and creativity together. He reminded everyone that Africans are not just the origins of storytelling but the creators of their own stories.
- Black Boi Meets Boogymen reimagined traditional myths with a fresh, modern twist.
- Guardian of Leeds gave a voice to those who are often unheard, reminding us that the world we imagine is the reflection of who we are.
The conversation expanded globally with the panel ‘Bridging Continents Through Digital Creativity’ from EUNIC (EU National Institutes of Culture) representatives. Hosted by Erika Denise, the discussion featured Inika Kendzai, Michael Swierczynski, Brian Afande, and Siza Mukwedini. Their discussion explored how collaboration and technology can strengthen creative ecosystems across Africa, with a focus on contextual infrastructure, audience understanding, and inclusion. Siza highlighted the importance of training and empowering women in technology, emphasizing that inclusion must come with intention and that representation begins with those who tell the story. The session was a reminder that technology’s evolution must go hand in hand with social progress, ensuring that no one is left behind.
Next up was ‘A Seat at The Table of Change’, hosted by Thobile Chittenden, featuring Samukelisiwe Dube, Tadeo, Masentle Nzimande, Meghna Singh, and Daniel Getachew. This panel delved into how technology, nature, and humanity can coexist harmoniously. Samu introduced a fascinating project exploring sound and soil through binaural soundscapes (experiences where audiences engage with layered natural and digital audio). Tadeo shared plans for the upcoming And Festival, which will bring sound exploration, academic research, and policy discussions right to the doorstep of local communities, proving that the digital culture belongs everywhere.
The Festival attendees also got to experience the interactive VR, including The Other Dakar by Selly Raby Kane, a film following a young girl through a dreamlike Dakar, where artists hold the city’s secret wonders. The piece reconnected urban mythology with modern design and celebrated the unseen beauty of African creativity.
The night closed with the Fak’ugesi Awards 2025, a celebration of African digital creativity, innovation, and artistry. The awards honoured outstanding work across animation, media, and digital art, highlighting the creators who are shaping the continent’s creative future. Congratulations to all the nominees and award winners for their amazing work, and a special shoutout to Nyamakop for taking home the Animated Game Award for Relooted. This was followed by a balcony mingling and some vibrant music, echoing the energy of the Electric South, pushing boundaries through storytelling.
Fak’ugesi proved that Africa’s creative power lies in collaboration, inclusion, and authenticity. Every story shared, panel hosted, and experience explored had highlighted a key message: these stories are told by us for us!
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Website: https://fakugesi.co.za/
