#1 Dialogues Across Place and Time: Art Exhibitions Open
For the 30th celebration of the KKNK, the aim is to create a visual arts programme that honours historical aspects of the Klein Karoo yet reaches out to the world and into the future.
Adam Small 90
2026 marks 10 years since Adam Small passed away and would have seen him celebrate his 90th birthday. This project, led by the Stigting vir Bemagtiging deur Afrikaans (SBA), aims to honour the iconic Afrikaans writer.
Akrasia
It’s the one-year anniversary of Reuben’s mother’s death. He hosts an art exhibition titled Rou Moeder. A tribute, or rather a final goodbye, with his mother right at the centre of it all.
Amanda Strydom en Je-ani Swiegelaar: Tillie/Mathilda
Two prostitutes, one old, one young and inexperienced. It’s Tillie’s first night. Mathilda, the old prostitute, takes pity on the defenceless girl from the countryside. The two women’s stories become the universal voice of women in all situations.
Anna Davel en Ilse Klink in harmonie
Music can soothe the soul and bring a message of hope and restoration. It can penetrate the depths of our being with soft notes and melodies, or it can raise words that have been unsaid for too long and make a voice that has been silent roar like a lion.
Antie Wi’oekal
The Dress. YouTube’s comedy hype channel has a conspiracy where “weird Hollywood” is obsessed with pressuring black men to play black women and slam their people.
Apple
Onder ’n groen appelboom krap Adam (’n knorrige realis) en Steve (’n uitbundige, emosionele optimis) hul pad uit die grond uit en die wêreld van ontdekking binne.
As die mooi aan ons haak
Kristi Steyn is on a journey through Afrikaans to prove that Afrikaans is more than a language. Allow the vocals, piano and cello, intertwined with old and new poetry by known and unknown poets, carry you away.
Atropa: Die wraak van vrede
In a world torn apart by war, inequality and the legacy of colonialism, Atropa strikes like an arrow to the heart. Celebrated Flemish writer Tom Lanoye’s reimagining of the Trojan War is not just a retelling – it is a radical indictment of contemporary power, patriarchy and the politics of violence.
Badtyd
’n Ou wil maar net sy uitstap mooi maak. Toe hy gebore is, in die bad geverf met muf, het hulle sy ma kom haal. Vandag, jare later, is hulle terug. Dis weer badtyd.
Biltong en Dior
Biltong en Dior is ’n uitbundige relaas oor die kunstenaar en skrywer Louis Jansen van Vuuren se kleurvolle ervarings as Suid-Afrikaner wat al langer as 25 jaar ’n liefdesverhouding het met alles wat Frans is en vir minstens die helfte van elke jaar in Frankryk woon en werk.
Blitsteater
If last year’s Blitsteater has taught us anything, it’s that short theatre works can hit you just as hard as a long production – sometimes faster! For KKNK’s 30th birthday, we’re not taking our foot off the pedal, on the contrary, we’re stepping on it.
Boesman en Lena
Boesman and Lena are two homeless outcasts – at the mercy of each other, the elements and a political system that disregards them. Athol Fugard’s iconic play is a spellbinding exploration of the complexity of relationships and social injustice
Boklied
A number of somewhat outdated actors come together in a time of crisis in a closed space – an established, unused hall or perhaps just a prison. Away from the so-called “normality” outside, they reflect on love, life and death.
Brousels en baksels
The story of a rugged yet fertile land – spirits born from the heart of the Karoo and shaped by the character of its people.
Comedy by Committie!
Alan Committie returns to KKNK with his latest stand-up material including his usual verbal gymnastics, physical hi-jinks and his trusty flipchart.
CRYBABY
On a perfectly ordinary morning, at a perfectly ordinary daycare centre, three-year-old Samuel experiences the unspeakable destroyer of innocence – the news. He changes in the blink of an eye: From a blissfully happy child to a weary adult, aged decades by dire headlines, tragic events and the fate of humanity that is hopelessly too heavy for his new shoulders to bear.
Die ander dogter
A 10-year-old girl accidentally discovers the existence of a sister who died two years before she was born. That girl was Annie Ernaux, recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2022.
Die gebed van ’n halfmens
At a landfill outside Oudtshoorn, a prediction of where humanity might be headed, awaits. This drama explores the impact of technology: Spectacle or horror?
Die Karoo Kunslied
Die Karoo Kunslied explores how poetry, landscapes and music coalesce in the Afrikaans art song. With music of early composers such as S. le Roux Marais and Pieter de Villiers to more contemporary masters such as Franco Prinsloo, the South African landscape is captured in sound.
Die Onderhoud met Wicus Pretorius
Die aktualiteitsprogram Wie’s Nuus? met Netwerk24 op kykNET bring ’n gespreksreeks na die KKNK wat gratis aangebied word. Wicus Pretorius, wat tans waarneem as aanbieder (in Mia Spies se plek), lei dié gesprekke in die Netwerk24-feeskafee.
Die Vyftigers
A group of talented men celebrated their own 50 years around the sun in 2025 – exactly half as old as their beloved first language (Afrikaans).
Dom, PasOp!
Welkom in die lewe van ’n Cheese Boy. Hy is ryker as meeste swart ouens en sy sak is platter as meeste wit ouens … Net sag genoeg om van albei kante die brak se byt te voel.
Een keer om die son
Dit neem ’n jaar vir die aarde om een keer om die son te wentel. In dié tyd kan geweldig baie gebeur, bitter én soet. Die aangrypende verhaal van ’n gesin wat op die oog af gelukkig is … Maar dan vind ’n tragedie plaas wat tergende vrae tot gevolg het, en alles verander oornag.
Een keer om die son: Die klankbaan
The soundtrack of the popular kykNET drama Een keer om die son is brought to the stage. Experience the music from both seasons, as well as the stories that inspired this series.
Effens anders
Aletta Francina de Kock is nog altyd effens anders… Aletta se splinternuwe stand-up-komedie, Effens anders, bied ’n komiese en eerlike blik op haar huidige lewe – met al die snaakse, aweregse en downright bizarre dinge wat daarmee saamkom.
Excerpts | Uittreksels
’n Versameling monoloë wat die dekades-oue onderwerpe van Westerse inmenging, sielkundige kondisionering en sensuur, deur ’n Kaapse lens ondersoek.
Feesmark Music Stages: 31 March
It's full-on festival in the Feesmark! Entertainment on the more intimate day stage starts early in the day and will get you in a party mood for the evening's Feesmark stage line-up, with entertainement till late. A delicious variety of eats and something cold to drink is never too far away.
ge-gebergtes
A few days after his 90th birthday, an Emeritus Professor is overwhelmed by life. It was a Saturday, the Springboks were supposed to play that afternoon, and his computer, phone, nothing would work, everything just became too much.
Haasvoël
Welkom by die Nasionale konferensie van skaars spesies. Op vandag se agenda: Die bespreking en ontleding van die Haasvoël in sy natuurlike habitat.
Hartsbriewe
Get ready for a journey back in time in this performance steeped in nostalgia, warmth and the soft whispers of love in all its forms.
Historiese wandeltoer
RJ Tours offers a comfortable walking tour of Oudtshoorn, where participants visit various historic buildings and are enriched by historical stories.
Hou die wêreld vas
A young boy has to hold the whole world. And even though he’s scared, he’s willing to learn everything about growing up. On his colourful adventure, he learns the importance of imagination, friendship and being brave.
Jakob
Jakob is an engaging tale about a strange little boy, and about love, light and everything reflected in between. It is the story of a child who is born different and who is ostracised by the community in which he lives.
Kaskenades!
What happens to all your lost socks? For every single closet in the whole wide world, there is a Kasmannetjie (closet man) who keeps your closet nice and tidy. Kasper, a proud little closet cadet, together with the seven-and-a-half-year-old, roller-skating Blommie, venture inside her closet doors.
Kultuursake: Minister Ricardo Mackenzie
Cornelia Faasen (uitvoerende hoof van NATi) gesels met Ricardo Mackenzie (Wes-Kaapse minister van kultuursake en sport) oor kuns en kultuur in die provinsie en hoe hy die pad vorentoe sien ten opsigte van samewerking tussen die staat en die kunstebedryf.
kykNET: ‘Die oord’-voorskou
Join us for an exclusive screening of kykNET’s brand new drama, Die oord. Waldimar Pelser talks to the series’ lead actors, Jana Strydom and Melissa de Vries.
LAPA Lekkerleesminuut
Each day at 11:30, famous actors and writers read from some of LAPA’s most loved children’s books at the Klein KKNK-teater. Great book prizes can be won.
Liewe Heksie word ‘gescam’
Liewe Heksie has won a prize in a talent competition. Karel Kat wants to teach her to look after her prize money wisely. But oh my, big words like finances, interest and budgets make Levinia’s head spin.
Malema: Money. Power. Patronage.
Julius Malema het sy groeiende politieke mag misbruik om sy party te befonds en om ’n eie persoonlike fortuin op te bou, ten koste van die arm Suid-Afrikaners vir wie hy na bewering veg.
Mathys Roets: Songs of Leonard Cohen
Mathys Roets is one of the few artists in South Africa who does justice to Leonard Cohen’s music. Included are some of his most popular songs, from "Famous Blue Raincoat" and "Suzanne" to "Hallelujah" and some of the last ones Cohen recorded.
Met die maan gepla
’n Muis wat nog nooit kon droom nie, begin wonder oor die maan. Wat volg is ’n klein verhaal oor groot drome en die dinge wat ons laat opkyk. ’n Visuele, hartroerende storie vir oud en jonk.
Miniatuur-herinneringe: ’n Borsspeld-werksessie
Every brooch (borsspeld) has a story, including yours. In this creative workshop, participants create two miniature works of art: One text-based brooch (a word, short sentence or phrase) and one image-based brooch, like a small landscape, portrait or abstract form.
Oepsie
Oepsie, the show that makes you think: “Did she really write a song about it?!” Christie van Niekerk invites you to a comedy that is equally honest, uncomfortable and blush-worthy.
Olifant-en-ontbyt-ervaring
Enjoy a buffet breakfast in the restaurant and experience a wonderful encounter with the gentle giants, Malaika, Bulelo and Jabari, the three orphaned African elephants who found their happily ever after at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge.
Olyf tot olyfolie
This tour and tasting offers a warm, friendly and educational experience where participants learn how olive oil is grown, harvested and produced. Whether you are a connoisseur of olive oil or not – this is a fantastic tour for anyone who wants to see more of the famous De Rustica Olive Estate.
Play Things
The hottest showcase of new work. Play Things is South Africa’s favourite space for new work. Monologues, sketch, magic, comedy, script-readings, clowning and more.
Please, Don’t Call Me Moffie
After viewing a viral online video of a brutal homophobic attack in an unknown Arab country, five young, coloured men respond and share their experiences of growing up queer and how they have grappled with religion and their identity.
PLEKTRUM
The Mauritz Lotz story. He is the South African musician with more than 4 000 recordings to his credit. He boasts two Grammy awards and is himself a judge of the Grammys. He is a guitar genius, composer and arranger who commands respect locally and internationally.
Police Cops: The Original
A world-class comedy phenomenon – for the first time at the KKNK! Buckle up for an outrageous ride as the globally acclaimed, multi-award-winning Police Cops explodes onto the stage. This UK premier comedy trio revive their hit show that started it all – now reloaded, supercharged, and bigger, bolder and funnier than ever.
Raunchy Renditions
Raunchy Renditions, South Africa’s first and favourite sex-positive storytelling platform, is inspired by events like The Moth and Bawdy Storytelling, with five brave storytellers sharing their endearingly awkward, hilarious and salacious sexual (mis)adventures.
Rescue Remedy
No-one has a comfortable relationship with their dad. Rescue Remedy is a queer kid’s hilarious, tragic attempt to meet their forceful father halfway. Literally, on the N2.
Sade in Hollandse kombuise
Susan, a young Afrikaans-born but only English-speaking South African, goes in search of herself. Is she a “Boeremeisie”? Not if she can help it. But what is she then? What are the seeds that grow inside her and which parts of Afrikaans has taken root?
Sal Afrikaans nog die skoolbus haal of is die taal eerder finaal ’n skoolverlater?
Afrikaans haal kort-kort die nuus. In die noorde oor skolewetgewing, in die suide oor die omstredenheid oor Standaardafrikaans en streekstale.
Seun
In Seun, Dana Snyman shares the part of his story he has never talked about before: his experiences in the 1980s. This is the time of P.W. Botha’s finger, the “Voëlvry” tour, AWB rallies, negotiations and the last days of military service.
Skandalig
The party is full-on until late at night at Skandalig. Expect loads of musical surprises and a great time, the perfect way to end (or start) your festival day.
Spoel
The award-winning Karoo Kaarte-team behind Die Swartmerrie returns with a brand-new drama from this project’s research. In Spoel , Oudtshoorn is remembered by the people who learned to look carefully. The play follows four Oudtshoorn residents – photographers and children from families of photographers – whose lives unfolded over generations in front of and behind the lens.
Sterrekyk in die Klein Karoo
Take a walk under the vast, starlit Klein Karoo sky with Night Sky Tours on this unforgettable stargazing experience, where the silence of the Klein Karoo and the brilliance of the night sky create the perfect backdrop to explore the cosmos.
Suikerkoekie-versierklasse
Have you always wanted to learn how to decorate sugar cookies creatively, and challenge yourself a bit? This is your chance. Learn the basic techniques of flooding, wet on wet and wet on dry under the guidance of Marita Lamprecht.
Te Heerlik: Tee-en-smaak-ervaring
An intimate tasting experience in the heart of Oudtshoorn, where the stories and flavours of the Klein Karoo meet. Discover the rich history of rooibos tea and experience five unique tea tastings that are perfectly paired with five handcrafted flavours from the Te Heerlik shop.
The Fool’s Guide
The work is conceived as a physical and performative comic meditation on the interface between contemporary tech and The Fool, The Everyman and The Innocent.
The Reservation
This year, you are invited to take your seat at the table for The Reservation – a bold, immersive dance theatre production that holds a mirror to social habits and hungers. This family-friendly performance is sure to awaken your appetite.
Trieng!
Tring-tring! Hallo? Are you talking on your smartphone? Or on a shoe? It doesn’t matter. Call when you are missing someone. After all, the same stars are in the skies above all of us. Trieng! is an ode to the landline, but also a story of connection.
Veer
Om te sterf, om te slaap – dis al wat oorbly. Niks anders nie. Wie weet watter drome jy dalk mag droom?
Visuelekuns-rondleidings
Sluit daagliks aan by verskeie kunstenaars vir ’n rondleiding van die visuele kuns by die 30ste KKNK. Tree in gesprek met verskillende kunstenaars en kurators. Elke dag besoek ’n ander uitstalling.
Vrou, vrouer, vrouste
A unique and moving production with a powerful and artistic combination of words, music and life experience. Humour and emotion are finely balanced and take the audience on a journey of laughter, tears, hope and self-discovery.
Waar bloed kruip
Met haar aankoms by Noordeberg Hospitaal is Lola Anley aangenaam verras om aangewys te word as een van die top- mediese studente wat blyplek in die gesogte Straumann Huis kry.
Wag, wat?
Rehearsal môre gewone tyd in die kerksaal. Ons het baie om deur te werk, so moet asseblief nie laat wees nie! Onthou jou water en goeie vibes! Kwaai
Wildehondekloof: Fynbos-fynproe
Wildehondekloof’s popular fynbos tour and tasting is presented for the second time at the KKNK. Experience the wonder of the Klein Karoo’s fynbos in food. After a short walk in the veld to look at the plants, participants return to the main house where fynbos-flavoured salts, vinegar and tea are tasted.
Wings of Light: Dance of an Angel
Mauritz Lotz’s new musical composition for ballet and contemporary dance left audiences in awe at this year’s Suidoosterfees. The music, composed in 2020, can be described as a “hybrid” work for modern contemporary instruments, orchestra and choir.
Wonderlike waarhede
Playback-teatertegnieke word ingespan om stories uit te speel wat deur ’n genooide gas en gehoorlede vertel word.