Nie Cele
Blue Ribbon 2025 Soweto Kota Festival has come and gone but entertainment memories will stand the test of time in most people’s minds who were part of this iconic annual event.
Held in a new spacious venue at the Dobsonville Rugby Grounds in Soweto.
As the much loved celebrations entered its second and last day scores of spirited revellers and dozens of families were not bothered that it’s the last day. They braved the dusty weather to fulfil their covetousness for the sumptuous, mouth-watering, delicious and opulent Kota menus and an entertaining blaring feel-good music tunes.
Even kids were not bothered that it’s a day preceding their normal school day. To them it was enjoyment at its best as they played up and down in their designated areas enjoying every minute.
This publication managed to grab quick interrogations with some of the brands that put up impeccable and attractive stalls.
Mzansi’s Financial Services group, Sanlam was one of the neatly set up stall that was a centre of attraction for anyone who cared.
Sanlam’s Head of Marketing, Nonhlanhla Hamese told this reporter they were excited and super grateful to be part of the festival and revealed it was their second year participating in this iconic event.
“As a company that cares, we felt it was very important to come to the market we serve. It’s an opportunity for us to bring closer to the people and explain valuable products and offerings our company offers such as the newly established and affordable “Essential Med” best known as Mzansi’s new go-to health insurance launched this year. The turnout was great and we were warmly welcomed. And we are here to help our customers to learn to live with confidence.”
A visibly excited, Lesego Mere, Account Manager at Clere, a South African skincare brand offering products like Pure Glycerine and body lotions enriched with ingredients like vitamins E&A and oils told this publication it was a worthwhile exercise to be part of Kota festival.
“As you can see our stall is one of the busiest. We received more visitors than we bargained for. This is a sign that people appreciate and love our products. This is an ideal place to push our products by explaining to our customers all the intricacies they need to know about our products.”
Suppliers of quality chicken Dawood and Sovereign echoed the same sentiment. They told this reporter they were happy to be part of the festival arguing they are a company that brings profitability to most businesses including Spaza Shops and Take away outlets.
Another first time mobile stall that kept a low profile but was very busy, Caipirinha, Brazillian Craft Cocktail from the north of Joburg served all types of Cocktails and promised to attend this annual event in future.
Bradley Redgment said, their eight year old company was growing in leaps and bounds. “This was not the last time we are going to be part of this event.”
Believe it or not, even coffee lovers “Javaphiles” were spoiled for choice because Metswako Brew from Tshwane served all kinds of decent and flavourful coffee. They also gave the Kota Festival a big thumbs up arguing it was a nice platform to promote their growing business.
