Weekend festival brings South African culture to Moss Lane
The Mzanzi Festival returns to St. Helens this weekend at Liverpool St Helens Rugby Union Club in Moss Lane, marking only the event's second year in the town but with a significantly expanded programme and a much larger expected crowd. Organisers say the festival has almost doubled in size from last year and are anticipating about 1,000 visitors over the three days, from Friday 24 to Sunday 26 July.
Origins and purpose
The festival grew from informal gatherings organised by local residents who wanted to replicate South African traditions here in the UK. It was co‑founded by Jaqueline Jansen and her friend Henk Hattingh after they met following Jaqueline's move to the UK in 2022. What began from a small spit braai that unexpectedly attracted a large crowd has evolved into a weekend event celebrating South African culture, food and music.
“It’s feeling good, and very exciting. Fingers crossed the weather will be fine but if not, it doesn’t matter, we’ll just dance and party through the rain.”
What to expect
Attendees can expect a mix of cultural activities aimed at families and adults alike. The festival will feature:
- Traditional South African dishes such as potjie kos (a stew) and bunny chow (a curry served in hollowed bread);
- Live music and dance celebrating South African styles;
- Arts and crafts stalls and face painting for children.
Event details
The festival is pitched as both a celebration of heritage for the South African community living locally and an opportunity for residents of St. Helens to experience that culture. Organisers emphasise the event's role in bringing people together, sharing traditions and forming new friendships across communities.
| What | When | Where | Expected visitors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mzanzi Festival | 24–26 July | Liverpool St Helens RUFC, Moss Lane | About 1,000 |
For St. Helens residents the festival will bring increased footfall around Moss Lane over the weekend and offers a chance to sample food and entertainment that may be new to many in the town. As the event has grown swiftly from modest beginnings, organisers will be watching weather and logistics closely, but they remain optimistic the community will turn out to join the celebrations.
