Nota Reflects on Cotton Fest Following Festival’s Conclusion. The organizers of Cotton Fest revealed on Tuesday that the youth-centric music and culture festival, established by the late Riky Rick, will not return in its present form, marking the end of a seven-year journey that highlighted a new wave of South African talent.
The statement indicated that this decision arose from internal conflicts among shareholders and a lack of shared long-term objectives, which led to the impossibility of sustaining the festival in a manner consistent with its founder’s vision.
“I told you so, RIP Cotton Fest… You played your part,” mentioned Nota, a veteran music industry analyst, reflecting on a critique he previously voiced during the Nkululeko and Culture Podcast.
“So you reach that level, then you become a Riky Rick, and you find fame, and people adore your music, then you launch your Cotton Fest because of white associates who have a vision needing a black face for commercialization.
“As a result, you might die, but the Cotton Fest will persist because it’s under ownership of these white individuals who exploited you to gather all these black musicians for their lineup without compensation. Consequently, maintaining this facade becomes a burden.” These comments, initially shared in 2022 and making rounds again after the announcement on Tuesday, have sparked considerable discussion and sharing on social media.
The organizers assured that the festival’s impact would not vanish entirely. Although Cotton Fest will not proceed as a ticketed event, the Cotton Fest Creative Programme will continue, aimed at nurturing young talent and offering opportunities throughout the year. Ticket purchasers have been advised to seek refunds through the designated ticketing partner.
