The Authenticity of Cultural Festivals as Perceived by Host Communities: A South African Case Study

Cultural heritage is one of the most important drawcards for tourism globally. The African continent is rich in cultural heritage, but few studies have given attention to the authenticity of the African cultural tourism industry and cultural festivals, in particular. This investigation contributes to understanding the authenticity of cultural festivals from the host community’s perspective. Our study employs a qualitative approach, conducting semi-structured interviews with 30 residents who live in and around the Komjekejeke cultural village in the Gauteng Province of South Africa, where the annual Komjekejeke Cultural Festival is held. The findings reveal that most respondents viewed the festival and the cultural products as an authentic representation of the Ndebele culture. The findings also underscore the importance of considering host communities’ cultural contexts when evaluating the authenticity of cultural events. The findings can be valuable for festival organisers, policymakers, and researchers interested in cultural authenticity and its impact on the perception and success of cultural festivals.