By Celani Sikhakhane
The organiser of the Off-Ramp Experience Festival has asked the local ANC-governed municipality if Ringo Madlingozi, an EFF MP, can perform at the event – and the municipality says he can.
Festival founder Siyabonga Msomi told the Ugu district mayor, Isaac Zero Mqadi, and the municipal manager, Vela Mazibuko, that fans love the artist.
“I plead with the leadership to allow us to get Ringo Madlingozi to perform at the upcoming Off Ramp Experience Music Festival,” Msomi said at a media launch on Monday.
“He has been with us for years, and the fans loved him so much. I am making this humble request to the leadership with a clear understanding that he is now in the leadership of an opposition party, which is the EFF.”
Mqadi said that despite Ringo’s political affiliation, the municipality doesn’t have a problem with his appearance at the festival.
“The organisers are free to get anyone they believe will boost their interests. Another thing, we don’t have any problem with Ringo because there are many artists [of different political affiliations] on the lineup,” Mqadi said.
The festival is set for 29 June at the Gamalakhe Sports and Leisure Centre.
Msomi says the festival will bring millions of rands into the district and its local municipalities through several planned programmes.
Among them are an Ultimate Fishing Championship in Margate to accommodate the white and Indian audience, a soccer tournament, a Gala Dinner Comedy event, an Off-Ramp Hiking Experience at kwaXolo Caves, and an Off-Ramp Block Party on 28 June, the day before the music festival.
The programmes are sponsored by KwaZulu-Natal’s Economic Development and Environmental Affairs Department, led by ANC MEC Siboniso Duma.
Pictured above: Ugu district manager Vela Mazibuko, Off Ramp Experience founder Siyabonga Msomi and Ugu Mayor Isaac Zero Mqadi.
Image source: Supplied
