Cotton Fest has officially confirmed that the festival has come to an end. The announcement marks a painful moment for many fans, as Cotton Fest has been one of South Africa’s most loved youth culture events for over seven years.
A Festival Built on Creativity and Community
Earlier this year, the 2026 edition of the festival was announced on social media. However, things changed behind the scenes. Shareholders no longer shared the same long-term vision, which created disputes and made it difficult to move forward. This internal tension placed pressure on operations and made it impossible to maintain the standard set by the festival’s founder, the late Riky Rick.
“CottonFest has always been rooted in creativity, community and cultural celebration focused on creating a platform for the youth to shine,” stated CottonFest owner and organiser Bianca Naidoo.
“While we remain extremely proud of what the festival has achieved and are deeply grateful for the support it has received from our fans, partners and the artists over the years, the differences in festival’s vision and purpose among the two parties has made it clear to our family and the team, that concluding this chapter is the most realistic path forward.”
Protecting Riky Rick’s Legacy
The Makhado family and Bianca Naidoo expressed deep appreciation for fans, artists, partners, and everyone who supported Cotton Fest through the years.
Their goal has always been to protect Riky Rick’s legacy, a legacy built on uplifting the youth and giving young creatives a powerful platform.
What Happens Next?
While the festival itself will not continue in its current structure, the Cotton Fest Creative Programme, launched in 2025, will continue.
This programme will focus on opening new doors for young talent throughout the year. The team remains hopeful, with plans to support creative expression in new and meaningful ways.
Refund Information
Current ticket holders can request a full refund directly from Webtickets through their self-help process.
