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Cotton Fest officially cancelled as organisers announce disbandment
Riky Rick’s Cotton Fest ends
Cotton Fest has been officially cancelled and permanently disbanded, bringing an unexpected close to one of South Africa’s most influential youth culture festivals.
Organisers confirmed that internal differences and disputes among current shareholders made it impossible to continue the event in a way that honoured the standards and vision set by its sole founder, the late Riky Rick.
According to festival founder Bianca Naidoo and the Makhado family, the decision comes after months of deliberation.
They expressed that it was taken “with a very heavy heart,” acknowledging how the community has been instrumental in driving the festival’s success since its inception in 2019.
Over the past seven years, Cotton Fest grew into a powerful creative movement, uniting music, fashion, and art while preserving Riky Rick’s legacy.
The organisers thanked fans for their unwavering support, describing them as the heartbeat of the festival and the reason the brand became a cultural force.
Ticket holders for the upcoming edition can request full refunds via Webtickets.
Despite the closure, the organisers signed off with the festival’s iconic motto; “We never die. We multiply.”
Read the full statement below:
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