Iconic CottonFest cancelled after seven years, fans left heartbroken

December 9, 2025 98

Photo credit: Riky Rick Makhado, Facebook

Some young people have taken to social media to express disappointment following the announcement that CottonFest will no longer continue.

The popular South African music and culture festival, founded by the late Riky Rick, has officially come to an end after seven years.

Organisers said that despite the festival’s success in elevating both emerging and established local talent, differing long-term visions among shareholders have made it impossible to continue the event in a way that remains true to Riky Rick’s original standards and intentions.

While the festival itself is ending, the CottonFest Creative Programme – launched in 2025 – will continue. The initiative aims to uplift young creatives and provide new opportunities within the arts.

In their statement, the organisers emphasised that the shareholders no longer share a unified long-term vision, making it difficult to sustain the festival in a way that honours the legacy of its founder, Rikhado “Riky Rick” Makhado.

“CottonFest has always been rooted in creativity, community, and cultural celebration focused on creating a platform for the youth to shine,” said Bianca Naidoo, Riky Rick’s partner and festival organiser.

“While we remain extremely proud of what the festival has achieved and are deeply grateful for the support it has received from our fans, partners and the artists over the years, the differences in festival’s vision and purpose among the two parties has made it clear to our family and the team, that concluding this chapter is the most realistic path forward.”

Naidoo and the Makhado family have thanked everyone who helped CottonFest grow, support the arts, and preserve Riky Rick’s legacy.

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Riky Rick, one of South Africa’s most famous rappers, tragically took his own life at the age of 34 in 2022.

Social media users have described the announcement as “a sad day for the culture.”

i guess cottonfest 2025 was really the end of an era hey… it’s wild watching something you grew up with slowly conclude Riky wasn’t just an artist he was a culture architect he built a community,not a festival☹️

— 13 (@mattepinkrari) December 9, 2025

Very sad! Not all too shocking though. The BTS chats that some artists were having about being blackballed from the CF lineups was sad to hear. Also, the end of CottonFest is another striking reminder that Riky is gone forever. The artists will feel the impact of this move hard.. https://t.co/y940nX1aH2

— FRENCHFRY (@__french___fry) December 9, 2025

@okay_swisher

Cotton Fest concludes.. the end of an era 🥲

♬ original sound – okayswisher

@mswenkofranko

RIP RICKY RICK RIP COTTON FEST …. #FYP #SAMA28 #satiktok🇿🇦 #SAHIPHOP #sahiphopmusic #cottonfest #RICKYRICK

♬ original sound – MswenkoFranko – MswenkoFranko