The ninth annual Mdantsane Summer Reunion Festival takes place at the WinterRose Stadium in Mdantsane on Thursday.
Founder and media liaison Lwando Jevu said on Wednesday morning: “We are ready for the event. We are at the stadium as we speak, setting up the stage. We do not want to leave anything to the last minute.”
Jevu said while the event had attracted an estimated 8,000 people in the past, he said they hoped to attract close to 10,000 this year, adding that ticket sales were doing really well.
“We are seeing an influx of tickets being bought today. We know how our people like to do things at the last minute.”
Jevu said the event was not only meant to welcome back those who had left the township and province in search of greener pastures, but also to give visitors a taste of what the famous township had to offer.
Jevu said they wanted their event to be different and therefore decided to always host their event on the 27th of December every year.
“We sat down and decided that we want something that was going to set our event apart from the others and we decided to host it on that date. People now own that date – they know that after Christmas they have something to look forward to.”
Jevu said the aim of the festival was to groom local talent and every year the organisers look out for local artists who have been hard at work during the year pursuing their talent and then give them slots to perform at the festival.
“Our event has always been about local artists – it is 90% local talent and only recently we have brought in national acts. This year our special guest will be Black Motion.”
Jevu said as another way to ensure that the event promoted and groomed home talent, they chose a different local personality every year to co-host it alongside a celebrity who had tons of experience so they could teach and guide local MCs.
Hosting this year’s event is former radio personality and businessman Putco Mafani, who will be joined on stage by Tru FM radio host Khanyisa Tshali and Anita Rula from Mdantsane FM.
Headlining the event will be award-winning group Black Motion alongside local DJs Mjazz, Welo, Yoba, Matsawu, GQ, Deep London, Athi and Dafresh, LV, Lady Phoenix, Lynch, D’angelo and Totman, as well as local artists Zintle Kwaaiman, Lansumber and Gunzo.
“I’m looking forward to this event, hopefully the weather will not hinder us this time. It is my second time performing at the event and I can say I am really excited,” said East London DJ Welo.
The event starts at 3pm. Tickets are available at Computicket and retail from R130 for general access to R500 for VIP. General access tickets will cost R180 at the gate.
Partygoers will pay R50 for a cooler box between 3pm and 5pm and thereafter a cash bar will be available. No glass bottles will be allowed...