Kota Festival boosts local economy in Soweto
The two day festival held on the 3rd and 4th made a comeback with a hive of festivities featuring a variety of township staples.
Thousands of food lovers flocked to the Elkah Cricket Stadium in Rockville for this year’s 5th annual Blue Ribbon Soweto Kota Festival over the weekend.
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The two day festival held on the 3rd and 4th made a comeback with a hive of festivities featuring a variety of township staples from over 40 of some of Gauteng’s favourite kota outlets.
The event which is considered the biggest festival in Soweto is one of the major economic boosters for the township which has prioritised SMMEs over the years creating jobs and upskilling communities.
The 5th edition returned to a battered economy and tourism sector due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“As a local brand from the township, we are trying to use the platform to empower other small businesses especially those in the informal sector,” said festival organiser, Sidwell Tshingilane.
“This for us was a major success as more than 200 temporary jobs were created and a further 100 small businesses which are benefiting will keep their doors operating because of the magnitude of the festival,” he explained.
The lifestyle event on Saturday had over 10 000 attendees while an estimated 7000 made their way to the Sunday line-up.
Tshingilane said this was particular impressive considering this was only a few months since Covid-19 regulations were lifted in the country.
“The response has been overwhelming. I believe we have exceeded our numbers compared to our last festival in 2019.
“We are pleased that supporters have remained loyal to our brand and the event shows that we are doing something right,” a thrilled Tshingilane told the publication.
Sharing his excitement, co-organiser Trevor Zungu said the success of the event was in its ability to draw in crowds from different walks of life.
“We are extremely ecstatic and humbled by the fact that people have grown to appreciate the brand, it has become one of the outstanding ones in the tourism sector.
“The weekend for us celebrates the heritage of our townships and brings all cultures together,” said Zungu.
He further explained that the event should mark the beginning of reviving the township economy and small businesses post Covid.
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“The township economy is very key for all of us, because it allows us to be able to plug into those small businesses that need support but also gives them a platform to showcase what they do and build thriving and sustainable businesses,” he concluded.
The organisers revealed that plans were in place to move the event to a larger venue in the next year to accommodate the growing numbers.
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