The annual Wild Coast Jikeleza Festival that took place over the weekend saw thousands of people converging in East London to partake in the festivities.
Now in its 15th year, this year’s festival had a bigger stage, more stalls, a gourmet food tent and children’s inflatable toys, and proved to be a huge success.
Jikeleza Wild Coast Association chairwoman and festival head organiser, Calista Stanton, said the event was one of their most exciting festivals by far.
“Every year the festival has a unique feel and it’s been like that since day one. This year’s one was absolutely amazing,” she said.
Stanton said on Friday, the first night of the event, they had an all-star show performed by Centrestage.
Stanton said on Saturday more than 2000 people attended this year’s festival.
“At some point I was overwhelmed. We were running all over the place and we also got such positive feedback,” she said.
Stanton said every year the organisers try to take the festival to another level.
“This year was the best. Sunday is always our best day. It was buzzing with excitement, everything went well. East London really came out and supported us,” she said.
Stanton said the festival was started by “tourist giants” in the area inspired by the Garden route and Midlands Meander to start a similar tourist route stretching from Floradale Nursery, along Schafli Road to beyond Chinsta.
Stanton only joined the organising team about five years ago but had been attending the festival since it started 15 years ago.
“My father-in-law is one of the co-founders and I remember 10 years ago I was pregnant with my daughter. This year’s event was something else. My daughter was one of the performers and I was so proud of her,” she said.
This year’s festival was celebrated without Mama Tofu – a well-known Xhosa cultural activist and tourism pioneer, who died last month.
“Mama Tofu was a true legend. She was greatly missed. Her daughter, Zinzi did her proud – the dancers from their village were there and I know Mama Tofu was smiling from heaven,” she said.
Stanton said the bridal expo was also a “huge success. We are all very proud and tired from all the activities,” Stanton said, adding that they could not wait for next year, as they will have an even bigger event. — poliswap@dispatch.co.za
Packed festival a success
Now in its 15th year, this year’s festival had a bigger stage, more stalls, a gourmet food tent and children’s inflatable toys, and proved to be a huge success.
Jikeleza Wild Coast Association chairwoman and festival head organiser, Calista Stanton, said the event was one of their most exciting festivals by far.
“Every year the festival has a unique feel and it’s been like that since day one. This year’s one was absolutely amazing,” she said.
Stanton said on Friday, the first night of the event, they had an all-star show performed by Centrestage.
Stanton said on Saturday more than 2000 people attended this year’s festival.
“At some point I was overwhelmed. We were running all over the place and we also got such positive feedback,” she said.
Stanton said every year the organisers try to take the festival to another level.
“This year was the best. Sunday is always our best day. It was buzzing with excitement, everything went well. East London really came out and supported us,” she said.
Stanton said the festival was started by “tourist giants” in the area inspired by the Garden route and Midlands Meander to start a similar tourist route stretching from Floradale Nursery, along Schafli Road to beyond Chinsta.
Stanton only joined the organising team about five years ago but had been attending the festival since it started 15 years ago.
“My father-in-law is one of the co-founders and I remember 10 years ago I was pregnant with my daughter. This year’s event was something else. My daughter was one of the performers and I was so proud of her,” she said.
This year’s festival was celebrated without Mama Tofu – a well-known Xhosa cultural activist and tourism pioneer, who died last month.
“Mama Tofu was a true legend. She was greatly missed. Her daughter, Zinzi did her proud – the dancers from their village were there and I know Mama Tofu was smiling from heaven,” she said.
Stanton said the bridal expo was also a “huge success. We are all very proud and tired from all the activities,” Stanton said, adding that they could not wait for next year, as they will have an even bigger event. — poliswap@dispatch.co.za
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