By Rorisang Modiba
- Organisers say fights between shareholders forced them to close the festival to respect Riky Rick’s original plan.
- Fans who already bought tickets for upcoming events can get a full refund from Webtickets immediately.
Cotton Fest, the festival that defined youth culture in South Africa, has come to a sudden end.
Organisers announced that the event is cancelled and will never return.
It is a heartbreaking moment for fans who loved the mix of music, fashion and energy that started in 2019.
The decision was not easy. For Riky Rick’s partner Bianca Naidoo and the Makhado family, it was made “with a very heavy heart.”
But things were not right behind the scenes.
Tension and disagreements between the current shareholders became too much. The organisers say it became impossible to run the festival in a way that stayed true to Riky Rick’s vision.
To protect his legacy, they decided to pull the plug.
Cotton Fest was more than just a gig. It was a movement that brought young people together to celebrate creativity and keep the late rapper’s spirit alive.
Now, that chapter is closed.
Organisers thanked the fans for being the heartbeat of the festival.
“We never die. We multiply,” they said in their final goodbye, quoting the words Riky Rick built the brand on.
People who have already bought tickets do not need to panic. Full refunds are available through Webtickets.
Pictured above: Cotton Fest 2025.
Image source: Cotton Fest
