Vuyo Booi Journey From Joza to National Arts Festival Spotlight
Monday, 2nd June 2025
From the dusty streets of Joza Location in Makhanda to centre stage at South Africa’s National Arts Festival 2025, Vuyo Booi is not just performing — he’s opening the festival. And he’s doing it with something no one has ever seen at this scale before: giant puppets, born from Eastern Cape soil and crafted with purpose.
Vuyo’s story begins in 1987, when a mentor named Andile Khetsheni invited him to join a local drama and dance group called Masande Players. “He used to call me ‘Soul’ — he’d say, ‘Soul, you must be involved in something that gives you direction. Life is full of problems, but art gives you tools.’ We didn’t understand him back then, but I do now. He saved me.”
From that seed, Vuyo’s love for performance and storytelling grew. After leaving Masande Players, he and friends Bongani Diko and Xolisile Jali formed Iyakha and the Three Brothers in 1996 — a group built on shared roots and big dreams. Though short-lived, the effort became a lesson in persistence. “That first group didn’t last, but it taught me that when something fails, it doesn’t mean you are a failure. It just means you need to shift.”
The Birth of Sakhuluntu:
“We Wanted Something That Feels Like Us”In 1998, Vuyo co-founded what would become a cultural institution in Makhanda: Sakhuluntu Cultural Group.“We wanted to create something for the people, from the people. We used to perform at ‘Umdudo’ at Rhodes every April. We’d bring traditional dance, storytelling, song — and it was always packed. That told us: people are hungry for their culture.” Sakhuluntu quickly gained recognition, winning gold medals at Eisteddfods and earning support from Rhodes University’s ILAM (International Library of African Music). “ILAM was like a second home. They helped us build a structure, gave us rehearsal space, and believed in us when no one else did.”
“The Puppets Are Not Just Puppets”
Now, nearly 30 years later, Vuyo is reintroducing himself to the nation in the most powerful way yet — as the first Eastern Cape artist to create giant puppets that will open the National Arts Festival 2025.
“These puppets are characters from our stories. One is a grandmother. One is a healer. One is a child with dreams. I built them with my own hands because I wanted people to see that African stories can be big — literally!”
He first unveiled his puppets at Afrika Burn 2025, winning a medal and capturing hearts across cultures.“Afrika Burn changed me. There was no money, just generosity. Everyone was there to give — and I gave my story. That’s when I knew: this isn’t just art. This is healing.”
Still Makhanda’s Son
Despite national recognition, Vuyo hasn’t left home. He still mentors in Joza, leads workshops with Sakhuluntu, and believes the future of the arts in South Africa rests on the youth.
“I stayed because Makhanda is in my blood. This city raised me. It’s a Creative City — not just in name, but in the way we live, the way we hustle, and the way we dream.”
As he prepares to open the biggest festival of his life, Vuyo reflects not on the spotlight — but on the path.
“This isn’t about fame. This is about that young boy in Joza who didn’t give up. If he’s watching, I hope he’s proud.”
