Farmworkers share music at Oesfees harvest festival

THE ATKV Oesfees at Solms-Delta in Franschhoek, takes place on Saturday from 10am till 9pm.

Join the workers of the valley, with thousands of other music, food and wine lovers in sharing the joy of a cultural event, featuring some of the finest homegrown musicians, as well as some of South Africa’s popular artists and bands.

This farm is well known for embracing local culture and heritage, including the Music van de Caab project under the leadership of Adriaan Brand of Springbok Nude Girls.

The project seeks to preserve and develop the musical heritage of the rural Cape, including the fostering of local musical talent.

Music van de Caab acts performing at the Oesfees include the Klein-Handjies Pre-school Choir and the “Kaapse Klopse” style walking band, Langbroeke; a female choir ensemble Die Soetstemme; the Delta Valley Entertainers and the Lekker Lekker Delta group.

South African talents who will be performing include Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Radio Kalahari Orkes, Manouche, Nick Turner, Riku Lätti, Bacchus Nel, Jackie Lätti, Hannes Coetzee, Die Papier Familie Orkes, Akkedis, Les Javan, Hemelbesem and Yoma, Brian Cloete, Churchil Naudé, Die Wasgoedlyn and Tribal Echo.

A special treat this year will be a performance by the African Jazz Pioneers.

An annual highlight is a performance by winners of the ATKV Riel Dance Final. The Betjies from Betjiesfontein were the winners of the ATKV 2016 Riel Dance competition in the junior category and will take to the stage to entertain with their impressive footwork.

“When we launched the ATKV Oesfees in 2008, we were not sure how it would turn out. But the celebration turned out better than we could have dreamt and the festival just keeps on growing,” says Mark Solms from SolmsDelta.

“We proudly share our love for everything that unites us in this beautiful land, with our music and food and wine, and our deepest and best hopes for the years to come.”

Solms-Delta chief executive Craig MacGillivray adds: “The ATKV Oesfees is a truly remarkable day, bringing together farmworkers from the valley to celebrate side by side with people from all walks of life – farmers, local community members, tourists, families, young and old.

“The celebration is one of recognition of the workers’ role throughout the year in nurturing the vines through all four seasons to harvest, the time when everyone else gets to share in the spoils of nature – and it is the farmworkers’ moment to shine.

“There is something magical about the spirit that pervades the Oesfees lawn, with the sun moving through the oak trees and people dancing side by side to a mix of talented local musicians and well-known artists... an event one has to experience, to appreciate the significance of sincere recognition of a job well done – a true expression of the Rainbow Nation.”

Traditional food and wines from the Solms-Delta farm will be on sale.

There will be a special area for children, managed by a professional events company, Cre8tive Kids.

Children can enjoy playful activities all day.

Tickets are R120 (from Computicket or the farm’s tasting room until March 24) or R150 at the gate.

It’s R40 for children aged 2-12. For more information go to www.oesfees.co.za, http://www. solms-delta.co.za/oesfees/ or call 021 874 3937.

Hannes Coetzee uses a spoon as a slide on his guitar. He plays at the ATKV Oesfees, Solms-Delta, Franschhoek on Saturday.