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Bizana’s biggest festive event, the OR Tambo Homage Concert “ORTHC” Festival, will hold its final edition in 2024, according to its founder, Nkokheli Twabu, popularly known as Volo Da Saint. In a heartfelt statement, Twabu shared that the decision was made after a long and difficult meeting with his team. The announcement has left thousands of the festival’s supporters and fans in shock.
Twabu expressed the challenges of sustaining the festival, which has become a significant attraction in Bizana over the years. He highlighted that while ORTHC has brought many beautiful memories, created thousands of employment opportunities, and boosted local businesses, the festival’s financial burden has taken a toll on him and his company.
“Hosting this festival in a rural town has been my only sin,” Twabu said.
He pointed out the difficulties in securing support from government departments and corporate sponsors for events held in rural areas like Bizana. According to Twabu, such support is more readily available for events in urban centers like Durban or Johannesburg, despite Bizana’s ORTHC attracting larger crowds of up to 10,000 people.
Twabu thanked all previous ticket holders for their support over the years and urged the community to join them in bidding farewell to ORTHC. Tickets for the final edition are now available as the festival prepares to conclude its journey.
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