The Cape Cultural Collective (CCC) hosted its annual fundraiser, Darling Buds of May, on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at a private residence in Wynberg, raising upwards of R50,000 for community arts. The event featured a range of skilled entertainers, including the Likhwezi Arts Project, who performed an upbeat Amapiano dance and a contemporary piece addressing gender-based violence.
Supporting Community Arts
According to the community arts approach, events like these play a crucial role in fostering social cohesion and development. The CCC’s efforts have been at the heart of this vision for almost two decades, as highlighted by Zenariah Barends, Chairperson of the CCC Board of Directors, in her inspiring speech.
The evening’s performances included nostalgic sets by singers Cindy Gibbon, Alex Benjamin, and Thami Baba, as well as poignant poetry readings by Chris Ferndale and Vusumuzi Mpofu. The artists were accompanied by a live band featuring CCC ensemble members Razak Johnson, Charles Louw, Jonathan Coetzee, and Carlo Fabe.
Community Support
The event drew close to 100 attendees, reflecting the community’s support for the CCC’s commitment to inclusivity in the arts. The organisation’s dedication to providing a platform for local artists to showcase their talents has been recognised by the National Arts Council of South Africa.
Some of the highlights of the evening included:
- Amapiano dance by the Likhwezi Arts Project
- Contemporary dance piece addressing gender-based violence
- Nostalgic performances by singers Cindy Gibbon, Alex Benjamin, and Thami Baba
- Poetry readings by Chris Ferndale and Vusumuzi Mpofu
The Cape Cultural Collective’s Darling Buds of May fundraiser was a resounding success, demonstrating the power of community arts to bring people together and support local talent.
