The Blue Ribbon Soweto Kota Festival (BRSKF) successfully hosted its seventh annual event at Fun Valley Pleasure Resort in Olifantsvlei on September 13, despite encountering minor setbacks.
This marked the festival’s first event outside of Soweto. However, supporters and fans raised concerns about the dust at the venue, which posed difficulties for those with sensitive nostrils.
Traffic congestion heading in and out of the resort also presented a challenge.
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According to BRSKF spokesperson Sidwel Tshingilane, the organisation anticipated potential issues with the new venue.
“We wanted to implement a different model for the event by hosting a one-day festival instead of two.
“Our usual venue, Elkah, would not have accommodated the expected crowd, and tickets would have sold out quickly, leaving many disappointed.”
Tshingilane explained Fun Valley as a trial venue, but its limitations became apparent.
“The venue has only one route and gate, with no emergency gate. This was a valuable lesson for us to consider when selecting future venues.”
Despite these challenges, Tshingilane stated the event ran smoothly.
“We arranged with the venue owner to spray the grounds with water for a week before the event, but it seemed those preparations were not adequately implemented. Unfortunately, this was beyond our control.”
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The organisation arranged with local taxi associations to assist with transportation after the event.
“We are excited and grateful to our supporters, as the event has grown significantly. We did not expect such a large turnout, with approximately 14 000 people attending.”
The organisation issued a statement acknowledging concerns regarding traffic and dust at the venue. They took responsibility for poor management of traffic control by outsourced helpers.
“We take the safety and comfort of our attendees seriously and implemented measures to mitigate these issues in the future,” the statement read.
Tshingilane emphasised the organisation’s commitment to improving future events.
“If a venue is not suitable we will not hesitate to explore alternative options.”
The BRSKF’s growth and popularity were evident in the significant turnout, and the organisation remains dedicated to providing an enjoyable experience for its supporters.
