According to the details of the successful bidder, C-Squared’s total bid price to organise the event was R16 849 863.80. 

The departmental spokesperson, Tankiso Zola, says Macufe will take place from 30 September to 9 October 2022, but will launch on 25 September with a soccer tournament, horse riding, arts and crafts and other traditional activities.

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The festival will proceed on 30 September for six days with the following events:

• Friday 30 September: Tshepe vs Amapiano festival at Old Greys (ticket price: R100.00)

• Friday 30 September: Boxing

• Sunday 2 October: Gospel show at Old Greys (R170.00)

• Tuesday 4 October: Theatre programme (R50.00 and R20.00 for scholars)

• Thursday 6 October: Comedy show at Old Greys (R150.00)

• Friday 7 October: Divas concert at Old Greys (R300.00)

• Saturday 8 October: Music festival at the Rose Garden (R350.00)

“Other events that will feature prominently will be the fashion show parade to showcase the creative talents in the province,” says Zola.

Macufe will also feature artists from the Homebrew Programme as part of the department’s aim to incorporate local artists alongside national artists. 

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C-Squared’s involvement with Macufe goes far back. The company has previously been accused of milking the departmental money with the festival. In 2018, OFM News reported that the then DA spokesperson on public accounts and finance, David van Vuuren, alleged C-Squared was paid at least R47 million in 2017 for the festival – without the department benefitting from money collected at the gates or from sponsors.

The CEO of the company, Ben Moseme, refuted allegations that the festival "only benefit a few politically connected whilst the bulk of the income generated from the festival goes towards his company".

At the time of his statement, the festival had reached its 21st year and attracted approximately 200 000 people to the city.

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There are still a few unanswered questions about the funds allegedly allocated to Macufe. While Zola confirmed that there were no virtual or physical Macufe in 2021, the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture said in reply to a question tabled in parliament, at least R3 million had been allocated. Although a virtual Macufe 2021 was apparently in the pipeline, it never saw the light of day.

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For the 2022 festival, it all began during the State of the Provincial Address (Sopa) when Premier Sisi Ntombela announced that Macufe will make a return after a two-year break.

The MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation in the Free State, Limakatso Mahasa, says “it has not been an easy journey to get to this stage of preparations for Macufe 2022. Covid-19 interrupted the momentum of our plans to prepare for events such as this one.”

OFM News/Tshehla Koteli