Festival fiasco: 'Music in the Snow' apologises amid artist absences and public outcry

IOL News

24-07-2025

The Music in the Snow festival, held in Hogsback in the Eastern Cape from July 18 to 20, has come under fire following widespread complaints of delays, missing artists and logistical chaos.
Image: Facebook
The "Music in the Snow" festival, hosted in Hogsback, Eastern Cape, from July 18 to 20, has come under fire from attendees, artists and public officials following a series of logistical failures, artist no-shows and widespread disappointment over the event's execution.
In a public apology, Mlindi Ntloko, chief executive officer of the festival, acknowledged that the festival failed to meet expectations: "We apologise for the inconvenience caused, which may have dampened the mood of the festival. The experience fell short of what you deserved, and for that, we are truly sorry."
Ntloko cited issues such as long-distance travel logistics, contractual delays and scheduling problems that led to artists either performing late or missing their slots entirely. While the statement emphasised the organisers' intent to improve future events, not everyone accepted the apology.
Long-time festivalgoer Sithembele Kuwe Skhomo Ka-Tutuse criticised the organisers for what he described as recurring mismanagement: "Having attended all the Music in the Snow (festivals) since the beginning, the logistical failures and unfulfilled promises are inexcusable ... Not paying artists can never be called a logistical nightmare of going to Hogsback."
Another attendee, Zamantungwa MaKhumza, noted a pattern: 'Unfortunately, this is not the first time something like this happens. In 2022, the same thing happened. So you still owe us, Msaki.'
Tandile Nkomo, who travelled from Johannesburg, appreciated the apology but suggested that future events be rotated to other parts of the province: 'Perhaps consider Barkly East or Lady Grey. The Eastern Cape has a lot of beautiful places.'
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The festival was further rocked when singer Nathi Mankayi pulled out at the last minute.
In a statement released by Mankayi Media, the artist's team cited failure by organisers to meet 'standard requirements and protocol for booking,' saying: 'Nathi was looking forward to performing for his supporters and people. We are disappointed by the outcomes.'
On July 22, Leander Kruger, MPL, DA Shadow MEC for Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, issued a strongly worded statement calling for an urgent investigation into alleged mismanagement of the festival, which the provincial government partly funded.
'This festival ... was marketed as a boost for local tourism and a celebration of Eastern Cape talent. Instead, it became a case study in poor planning and broken promises.'
Kruger highlighted that ticket holders - some of whom paid up to R1 000 - were left frustrated by hours-long delays, missing performers and technical disruptions.
The DA has written to MEC Sibulele Ngongo to demand transparency regarding how taxpayer money was spent and has called for scrutiny of co-sponsors, including the Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality, the Eastern Cape Development Corporation and the Eastern Cape Gambling Board.
'Our artists deserve professionalism, and our people deserve better value when public money is spent in their name,' Kruger said.
With mounting pressure and public dissatisfaction, the future of Music in the Snow remains uncertain.
What's clear, however, is that both artists and patrons are demanding more accountability, transparency and a higher standard of professionalism going forward.