Ma Apara Kobo Mother Tongue Festival
The Ma Apara Kobo Mother Tongue Festival is an annual 3-day cultural and literary event held in Kroonstad, Free State, in celebration of International Mother Language Day. The festival is dedicated to the promotion and preservation of the Sesotho language through literature, poetry, storytelling, and multidisciplinary artistic expression.
February
Celebrating International Mother Language Day
Festival Period
Annual 3-Day Event – February
Location
Kroonstad, Free State
Contact
+27 69 345 7849
Festival Structure
Three-day celebration of Sesotho language and culture
Day 1 – Workshops & Lectures
The festival begins with educational sessions, including writing workshops, literary discussions, and lectures led by authors, poets, and cultural practitioners. These sessions aim to build skills, share knowledge, and inspire emerging writers.
Day 2 – Literary Performances & Engagements
The second day focuses on book readings, author testimonies, and poetry performances, creating a platform for both established and emerging voices to share their work and engage with the community.
Day 3 – Celebration & Awards Ceremony
The final day is a celebration of artistic excellence across genres, featuring performances and an awards ceremony recognising outstanding contributions to literature, poetry, and Indigenous language preservation.
Programme Focus
- Literature, books, and poetry development
- Storytelling and oral traditions
- Promotion of Sesotho language (primary focus)
- Inclusion of other art forms that support cultural preservation
Impact
The festival strengthens language preservation, cultural identity, and artistic development, while creating a platform for writers, poets, and creatives to showcase their work. It also contributes to audience development, community participation, and the recognition of Indigenous languages in the Free State.