In 2017 Fak’ugesi African Digital Innovation Festivals stands up to salute those that listened to their hearts and lived their bravest lives.
6th to the 16th of September in Braamfontein is where electronic hearts meet. An electrifying ten day program celebrating the power of innovative collaboration. Stand up with us to claim creative technology as the beating heart of Africa. Own your innovation! Be Brave Tech!
Our courageous focus in 2017 program will give you free workshops, conference, laboratories, parties, exhibitions, hack-a-thons, music, films, artists, games, innovation riots and much more!
2017 Fak’ugesi Festival Director, Tegan Bristow states:
“Some incredible highlights at this year’s festival will include the Fak’ugesi Conference, the hugely popular Making Weekend, as well as our annual Market Hack event at the Nieghbourgoods Market in Braamfontein. We’re also thrilled to announce an exciting new curatorial partnership titled Fak’ugesi Beats, a beats, music and technology focus curated by Weheartbeat, who will go on to lead festival finale Fak’ugesi Beats Bloc Party as part of their larger program.”
About Fak’ugesi African Digital Innovation Festival
“Fak’ugesi” comes from the zulu term meaning “add power” or “put on the electricity”. The word was suggested by Shonisani Lethole in 2014 and for the Fak’ugesi team it represents urban youth culture, the power of innovation and a focus on turning on innovation and creativity in technology for Africans.
Focusing on energy in innovation, the power of African cultures and digital technologies, the Fak’ugesi Festival is held annually. The Festival was first launched in 2014 to activate and celebrate the role of technology and creativity and highlight the actions of Tshimologong Innovation Precinct in Braamfontien. The Festival was founded by Prof Christo Doherty and Tegan Bristow from Wits Digital Arts, together with Prof Barry Dwolatzky of Joburg Centre for Software Engineering (JCSE) and Tshimologong Precinct (Wits).
The festival aims to do the following:
- Celebrates African technology and innovation through creativity.
- A platform that brings together diverse digital and technology sectors to collaborate and share skills in digital media and technology innovation.
- Explores the importance of technology across sectors, from engineering, to gaming, to music, to public life and social development.
- A publicly engaging festival that brings technology and innovation to people in a fun, accessible and playful way.
