There are places that speak to you, and then there are places that change the way you listen.
The Karoo — with its vast skies, sharp contrasts, and soulful silence — has always felt like one of those places. But for a few days each year, that silence gives way to something extraordinary. Music. Laughter. Art. Applause. Life.
This year, I had the absolute honour of being part of Absa’s influencer squad at the 2025 Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees (KKNK). And while I’ve had the privilege of travelling far and wide — from city lights to hidden countryside gems — nothing prepared me for the deep emotional resonance of this festival. KKNK isn’t just a celebration of the arts; it’s a celebration of people, purpose, and the power of presence.
The Karoo, alive
From the moment I arrived in Oudtshoorn, there was a noticeable shift in energy. This normally laid-back Karoo town was suddenly alive with colour and texture. Streets buzzed with families, creatives, and solo wanderers like myself, all drawn to the same magnetic centre. I wandered through stalls selling handmade crafts, tasted local dishes prepared with pride, and saw businesses — often overlooked — shine with the kind of attention they so richly deserve.
As someone who shares stories through travel, this is the kind of scene that stays with me: real South Africans supporting each other, thriving together. Tourism here isn’t just about economic boost; it’s about hope and visibility. And festivals like KKNK prove that when you invest in culture, you invest in people.
More than a logo
What struck me most was that Absa wasn’t just a name on a stage or a backdrop. Their partnership with KKNK felt deeply intentional — the kind of corporate involvement that doesn’t just “support” the arts, but breathes life into them.
At the Absa L’Atelier exhibition, I stood in awe. The Prince Vincent Building, already rich with history, was transformed into a sanctuary of stories. The exhibit celebrated 20 years of the Gerard Sekoto Award, and each piece I encountered felt like a conversation — intimate, bold, necessary. In that quiet space, I was reminded why art matters: it slows us down, makes us feel, and gives us language for things we sometimes can’t express.
I also attended the intimate red couch sessions in the Absa tent with Hannes van Wyk, where artists opened up not just about their work, but about their lives. It felt like sitting inside someone’s truth — honest, sometimes raw, but always beautiful.
One garden, 1,200 mouths
But if there’s one moment that will stay with me the longest, it’s the visit to a local school garden supported by Absa’s Force for Good campaign. We met the “garden champions” — young people who tend to a vegetable garden that now feeds over 1,200 mouths daily. I get emotional even writing that.
This wasn’t just a photo op. This was purpose in action. Two brothers told us how the garden changed their lives, giving them a sense of responsibility and pride. And it reminded me that community upliftment isn’t just about grand gestures. Sometimes it’s about getting your hands in the soil and growing something that matters.
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A festival with soul
From street performers to chart-toppers like Majozi, the talent at KKNK was diverse and deeply local. Watching emerging artists share the stage with established names reminded me that South Africa is overflowing with voices that deserve to be heard — and festivals like this give them the platform they’ve long needed.
The nights? Magical. There’s something about the way music echoes across the Karoo landscape that feels ancient and future-facing all at once. Between the aroma of braais and the buzz of conversation, I felt — truly — what it means to belong somewhere, even if just for a moment.
This is ‘What Real Travel Looks Like‘
We often think travel is about distance. But this trip reminded me that meaningful travel is about connection. KKNK isn’t just an event. It’s a cultural homecoming. It invites you to sit down, slow down, and listen. And thanks to Absa’s 23-year partnership with the festival, that invitation keeps expanding — to more artists, more communities, and more hearts.
As the dust settled and the final notes drifted into the night sky, I knew I was leaving with more than memories. I was leaving with inspiration — the kind that doesn’t just shape stories, but shapes South Africa itself.
And isn’t that what real travel is all about?
— Sarita Booysen, travel storyteller and founder of What Real Travel Looks Like on Instagram.
Published by NOWinSA | Stories Shaping South Africa Today!
