The 5th annual Blue Ribbon Soweto Kota Festival returns to Soweto with a hive of festivities on the 3rd and 4th September at the Elkah Cricket Oval in Rockville to celebrate South Africa’s Kasi comfort food in style.
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The event which was halted due to Covid-19 regulations set to make a bigger and better come back with a star studded line up and a host of partner sponsors which have come on board for this year’s edition.
“The event was born from wanting to give our people are different and unique experience food events and we thought a Kota festival which has an entire weekend dedicated to celebrating our township staple that you can find at every corner, by bringing different stalls together and host a variety of old school kota to modern gourmet kota,” said Sidwell Tshingilane, organiser of the Kota Festival.
Tshingilane said that the event was hardest hit with Covid-19 restrictions, citing that the business was on a brick of collapse.
“The past two years have been very tough on us. It was so bad that we were considering perhaps quitting the events industry because that is how we make a living but we are excited to bring the event back to the people and even more excited to hear young people sharing that they started their Kota businesses because of the festival and are creating jobs for others, and that’s the goal. We want to create more jobs for young people,” he told the publication.
The event is a major boost to the township economy creating over 100 temporary jobs and a further 200 indirect jobs will be created.
The event also supports over 80 small businesses in the township with many local BNB’s, hotels, car washes and township vendors directly benefiting from the weekend.
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Trevor Zungu, Festival co-orgnaiser said, “This is a community development initiative which we pride ourselves in working with small businesses and entrepreneurs – not just in Soweto but around South Africa so we will be spear heading to other parts of the country.
“We speak to everybody which is why people from all walks of life come every year to celebrate with us, not just in terms of food but also to highlight the music and the talent which we have in our communities.
“We have a variety of well-known artists, and upcoming artists looking for their next break so they can also rub shoulders with each other.
“There is entertainment for everyone, different taste samplings and corporate stands, it’s going to be exciting,” he concluded.
Over 20 000 people are expected to make their way to the two-day Kasi event where they will be treated to 40 kota outlets from across Gauteng, live performances from Saudi, Nobantu Vilakazi, Amapiano duo AMA Roto and MFR Souls, prize giveaways and kiddies entertainment.
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Kota Festival tickets are available at Checkers, OK Foods, Computicket or Shoprite. Early bird tickets are only R80 for adults and R40 for children. Pre-sold tickets will cost R90 for adults and R50 for children.
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