The Klein Karoo National Arts Festival (KKNK) marks three decades of South African arts and culture with a milestone 2026 programme that will showcase both emerging talent and established creative voices. Running from Saturday, 28th March to Saturday, 4th April, in Oudtshoorn, KKNK features two premiering works developed through the Festival Enterprise Catalyst (FEC), alongside acclaimed pieces currently touring the South African festival circuit as FEC works. Tickets are already on sale at https://kknk2026.kknk.co.za/en/
The FEC, a collaborative initiative supporting new creative work and artist development across the country’s festival network, is proving instrumental in sustaining opportunities for the theatre sector. Two new commissions will debut at KKNK as they mark their 30th anniversary. Playwright and director Carla Smith’s comedy CRYBABY, features Frank Opperman, Nicole Holm, Wian Taljaard, René Cloete and Gantan Kusch. Lemoene, lemoene, lemoene, lemoene, lemoene, features Mienke Ehlers and Dean John Smith and is directed by Kanya Viljoen. The play explores what love, freedom and the power of one’s voice mean within limitations.
“We’re proud to present these new FEC works at KKNK’s 30-year anniversary. They represent an evolving legacy of theatre support built on our relationship with both audiences and artists. Produced by and featuring some formidable South African talent, these are much anticipated works,” said KKNK’s Artistic Director, Hugo Theart.
The festival also features FEC touring works that have toured some of the other FEC festival partners, demonstrating how strategic investment in new work translates to sustained touring potential and extended creative livelihoods. Athol Fugard’s Boesman en Lena, featuring Veronique Jephtas, Brendon Daniels and Tshamano Sebe, continues its tour following its 2025 debut at Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees. Ronelda Kamfer’s critically acclaimed Kompoun (Melissa de Vries and Angelo Bergh) and Breyten Breytenbach’s Verwelkingslied (featuring Antoinette Kellermann and Dawid Minnaar) complete their FEC circuit.
“The Festival Enterprise Catalyst is proud to support and sustain new work and developing artists at this pivotal moment in South African theatre,” says Cornelia Faasen. “This marks the beginning of a new circuit for the festival partners (KKNK, Suidoosterfees, National Arts Festival, Aardklop and Woordfees). Investing in a work that can tour for longer than a few weeks motivates theatre makers to invest in the new.”
For full programme and to purchase tickets:
Visit kknk.co.za or contact 044 203 8600 / info@kunste.org.za