The African Roots Festival is a multi-year audience development collaboration between the Iziko Education & Public Programmes Division and Artscape. Now in its third year, the programme aims to showcase and nurture the talents of community-based performers.

A different partner community is identified each year as the focus area for the outreach and training initiatives of the two organisations. Communities that have participated in the programme to date include Lavender Hill, Vrygrond, Lwandle, Langa and Atlantis.

Professional artists are used to present workshops in community venues and local performers are sourced for the festivals that are usually based in the city. The aim is to expose community groups and artists to the ideas and techniques of professionals, and to provide them with opportunities to perform for wider audiences.