It’s finally time for some good news for both the domestic tourism economy and South Africa’s youth who’ve missed out on a number of formative experiences these past few months. Festival organisers have announced that the idyllic coastal town of Margate on the KZN South Coast will be included as a new location for the 2022 Rage Festival, with organisers prioritising safety in all decision-making.
Wozani Africa Events reached out to the festival organisers – Rage Festival Group – to offer Margate as a host town with the support of Ray Nkonyeni Municipality, Margate Business Association, Margate Ratepayers’ Association, Margate Community Police Forum and the South African Police Service.
“Our festivals have enjoyed a successful 19-year history in Ballito, 11 years in Jeffreys Bay and 22 years in Plettenberg Bay. They have become synonymous with world-class production, unrivalled safety and the best musicians South Africa and the world has to offer. The festivals have earned their status as a rite of passage for South Africa’s matrics and students, with events booked up a year in advance – year after year,” said Greg Walsh, CEO of Rage Festival Group.
“Our recent engagement with the people of Margate has been terrific. The town has its objectives clearly defined and there is a whole community working tirelessly and investing deliberately towards a very bright future. The main beach area of Margate offers Rage Festival a unique platform to create a walking festival experience yet unseen in our history.
“Within 400 metres of the main festival beach site are multiple, freshly-upgraded hotels, new restaurants and bars and a community willing to close roads and welcome the matric class of 2022 safely for the week of their lives. Festival revellers will be able to book their entire experience, Rage Passport, accommodation and even flight in a single transaction – another first for the Rage Festival Group. Thank you, Margate! We can’t wait to see you in 2022.”
Local event organisers, Wozani Africa Events, have extensive experience in large-scale festival offerings, having previously hosted The Loerie Awards, Harley-Davidson’s Africa Bike Week, The UGU Jazz Festival, New Year’s Eve events and New Year’s Day Festivals catering for thousands of attendees.
Vicky Wentzel, Group CEO of Wozani Africa Events, described Margate as the ‘perfect event staging town’: “You can relax, sleep, play here with the warm Indian Ocean or great outdoor pools all in close quarters. It really is the perfect event party town! Over the past two years, Margate business owners have spent time investing and upgrading the incredible beachfront strip which is now ready to welcome holidaymakers.”
In addition to the benefits for the incoming visitors, Rage Festivals create part-time employment and generate significant funding for the local tourism economy. One report indicated that the festivals attract around 15 000 students, with each one spending between R8 000 and R15 000 during their stay, bringing in around R250 million to the region.
Cynthia Mqweba, the Ray Nkonyeni Municipality mayor, who has provided significant support to secure the Margate Rage Festival, said it’s crucial that everyone works together to ensure the event’s success: “The KZN South Coast has so much to offer visitors and we truly hope the Margate Rage Festival will act as a platform to showcase what the area has to offer. Tourism is undeniably the region’s biggest income generator and with this dynamic team of organisers and the support of local communities and businesses, this could be a massive boost for the area.”
The week-long event will take place around the end of November or start of December 2022 depending on the matric examination timetable. Rage Festival Group has perfected the event organisation, collaborating with local venues and travel operators to offer a seamless, epic experience.
For the safety and convenience of all event-goers, a Rage Passport is sold ahead of the event in three price ranges providing a variety of access to festival activities. These include bar and beach events, parties and live entertainment, with the Early Bird prices on sale in February 2022. There’s also a dedicated Rage Festival App to keep event-goers updated and in contact at all times.
To book a Margate Rage Festival Passport you’ll have to hold your anticipation a little longer but all the information will be released soon at www.ragefestival.com
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Laying the roots for future green fingers