More cash needed for growing music festival
Economic boost for town as 7000-plus flock to Port Alfred
The venue worked, the artists rocked, and the crowd was cool. But the total sponsorship package of just over R1m for the 2023 Ecawa Music Festival needs a boost in 2024 as the third-biggest music festival in the province aims even higher, says Lutifusion director and event manager Siyabulela ‘Ivy’ Madyo.
Madyo believes the festival could soon stand shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Gqeberha’s Ebubuleni Festival, currently the biggest such event in the Eastern Cape.
More than 7,000 people flocked to Port Alfred from across the province and another 3,500 locals came through the gate to fill the Mamityi Gidana Stadium in Nemato for the fifth edition of the town’s festive season highlight, Madyo said.
The event featured several big-name artists, Madyo said.
“It’s December and the airlines and airports are busy,” Madyo said at the time.
“Often artists miss their flights, but this time around it didn’t happen: they all came to the Ecawa Music Festival and they all performed,” he said.
National artists who thrilled the crowd included Sjava, Nkosazanas Daughter, Russel Zuma, Mr Thela, Vusi Nova, Nathi, Betusile, Big Nuz, Dlala Thukzin, Morda Bongs, Ligwa, Aymos, Luckeez Mfowethu, Mafa Bavuma, Elvis and Yarees.
Madyo said the difference of around
R400 000 between the event sponsorship (R1 190 million) and expenses had been made up for by gate takings. He said they had made a “small” profit.
Together with Ndlambe Municipality’s R700,000 sponsorship of the event, additional sponsorship of R490,000 came from SA Breweries Castle Lite (R40,000), the Eastern Cape department of sport, recreation, arts & culture (R250,000) and the Sarah Baartman District Municipality (R200,000).
Madyo said the difference between the event sponsorship and expenses, around R400 000, had been made up for by gate takings. He said they had made a “small” profit.
He based this on a minimum spend per person visiting the town at about R1,350 per person, including at least R100 on a ticket, R500 on petrol, R350 on food, and R600 on one night’s accommodation.
“We also gave temporary employment to 150 people who worked as promo girls, car guards, cleaners and marshals,” Madyo told Talk of the Town.
More than 30 food stalls run by local SMMEs plied their trade at the festival.
In addition, 14 of the artists featured were local, that is, from within the Ndlambe municipal area.
Madyo said the event also boosted Port Alfred businesses not directly associated with the event, including B&Bs, hotels, shops, taverns, liquor outlets and restaurants. This positive impact on the town was supported by feedback from Sunshine Coast Tourism’s Port Alfred office.
Tourism staffer Lungisile Sinqe said: “We can confirm that the popular Ecawa Music Festival was attended by about 10,600 people.
“Attendees for this show were from various areas in the Eastern Cape including [Makhanda], Gqeberha, Peddie, East London, Fort Beaufort and Mthatha.
“This is a popular event and visitors request information about it in advance.”
He said some out of town visitors attending the festival had struggled to secure accommodation in Port Alfred.
“Various businesses benefited as a result of the festival including food stores, bottle stores, taverns and convenience stores in the area,” Sinqe said.
TOTT attended the festival, at which the atmosphere was exciting and positive, with all the artists performing,
The weather was disappointing but that did not stop concert-goers from enjoying themselves.
The sound quality was clear and crisp and the projection was good.
Food, drinks, and toilets were available. The VIP tent was crowded though and possibly a bit too small for the number of people it accommodated.