Accordionists, concertina players, dancers and musicians from across Southern Africa will perform at the inaugural SAFRA Heritage Gala in Parow on 24 September 2026, celebrating major musical and cultural anniversaries.
Heritage Day will resound with accordions, concertinas, and other free-reed instruments when musicians and dancers from across Southern Africa gather in Parow for a wide-ranging celebration of the region's musical heritage.
The inaugural SAFRA Heritage Gala 2026 | Erfenisgala takes place on Thursday, 24 September 2026, at 15:00 in the Hugo Lambrechts Auditorium. Presented by SAFRA Free Reed Mzansi, the concert traces a musical journey from Mozart and classical repertoire to boeremusiek, maskandi and famo, with tango, Celtic music, French chanson, Scottish country dancing, and contemporary South African sounds along the way.
The gala brings several important anniversaries into one programme. The year 2026 marks a century since the Kruger National Park was proclaimed, the first boeremusiek recordings were made, Die Stem was first recorded and legendary South African accordionist and composer Nico Carstens was born.
The concert also celebrates 40 years of the Hugo Lambrechts Music Centre, established in Parow in 1986. That same year, Paul Simon released Graceland, a landmark album that brought Southern African musical styles to global audiences.
