COMMUNITY ARTS FOR COMMUNITY WELLBEING
About Western Cape Arts Festivals
From One City to One Province — Many Cultures, One Vision
The Western Cape Arts Festivals (WCAF), formerly known as the Cape Town Arts Festival (CTAF) and originally the One City, Many Cultures project, was born out of a bold cultural response to the 1998 Planet Hollywood bombings. Journalist and activist Ryland Fisher launched the initiative in 1999 to fight division and violence through unity and creative expression.
By 2003, leadership passed to Yusuf Ganief, who infused the platform with strategic energy, launching the Cape Town Community Festivals and creating paid opportunities for over 1,800 artists annually. Relaunched in 2021, the festival embraced a renewed mission: “Community Arts for Community Well-being.”
2025: A New Chapter — WCAF is Born
We are proud to announce our evolution into the Western Cape Arts Festivals — a name that reflects our widened footprint, provincial impact, and deeper commitment to the diverse communities of the Western Cape.
Our Impact So Far:
- 🎓 276 youth, creatives, and musicians trained
- 🎤 845+ artists supported with gigs and income
- 🛍 173 vendors empowered through trade opportunities
- 👥 7,500+ attendees welcomed into inclusive, heritage-rich spaces
What We Do: Building Creativity That Builds: Communities
- 🌾 Rural artist training and development
- 🪘 Revival of indigenous music, dance, and instruments
- 👵🏾 Living heritage programming that celebrates generational knowledge
- ✈️ Cultural tourism that boosts local economies
We bring this vision to life through dynamic programmes like the AIR Entrepreneur Project and community-rooted festivals.
Milestones That Matter
🎉 Festival Achievements
- Annual CTAF showcases at the Castle of Good Hope (2022–2023)
- Launch of: Beyond Busking, Digital Artists for Artists, Events & Marketing Training
- Over 600 creatives earned income through these platforms
AIR Project & Festival 2025
- Launched in Kranshoek with expanded skills curriculum
- Created 210+ income opportunities
- Human Rights Day festival drew 3,000+ attendees
- Mentorship by cultural legends like Dizu Plaatjies & Geoffrey Tracey
Our Vision
We believe in a vibrant arts ecosystem where creativity educates, heals, and sustains. Our vision is to:
- Support artists’ livelihoods through paid opportunities
- Strengthen identity and well-being through community arts
- Foster cultural tourism and rural economic growth
Our Values
- Empowerment through Mentorship: Equipping creatives to grow artistically and professionally
- Income Over Exposure: Prioritising paid gigs and consistent income streams
- Well-being Through the Arts: Using creativity to uplift, educate, and unite communities
WCAF is more than a rebrand — it’s a renaissance. A commitment to scale our impact, empower more artists, and weave arts into the very fabric of our communities.
— Yusuf Ganief, CEO.
