The Vaal came alive on Saturday as food, music, culture and township entrepreneurship took centre stage at the Vaal Kota Festival, held at Emerald Resort & Casino in Vanderbijlpark.
The festival, which took place on 29 August, brought together kota lovers from across the Vaal and beyond for a celebration of one of South Africa’s most popular township food creations. The event combined the flavours of different kota vendors with live entertainment, creating a vibrant atmosphere for families, food lovers and music enthusiasts.
However, it was legendary Afro-soul musician Ringo Madlingozi who arguably stole the show.
The veteran performer had festivalgoers singing along and enjoying his distinctive sound, reminding audiences why he remains one of South Africa’s most respected musical voices. His performance added a nostalgic and soulful dimension to an event largely centred around contemporary township culture.
Madlingozi was part of a strong entertainment line-up that also featured artists including Amanda Black, giving festivalgoers an opportunity to experience different generations and styles of South African music.
While the music provided the entertainment, the kota remained the star of the festival’s culinary offering. Vendors showcased different interpretations of the much-loved township meal, giving visitors an opportunity to taste a variety of flavours and combinations.
More than simply a food festival, the Vaal Kota Festival highlighted the growing economic importance of township food businesses. The festival’s organisers describe the platform as a vehicle for empowering “Kotapreneurs” by providing them with opportunities to showcase their products, connect with customers and grow their businesses.
The concept also speaks to the broader evolution of township cuisine. Once largely associated with neighbourhood takeaway spots, the kota has developed into a cultural and entrepreneurial symbol, with small businesses using creativity and local flavours to build brands around the popular meal.
The Emerald Resort & Casino venue provided a fitting backdrop for the day-long celebration, which ran from morning until evening. Organisers positioned the festival as a meeting point for food, culture, entertainment and community, while creating a platform for local businesses to reach a wider audience.
For many festivalgoers, however, the highlight was undoubtedly seeing Madlingozi command the stage. His performance brought a special energy to the festival and demonstrated the power of live music to bring people together.
As the Vaal Kota Festival continues to grow, its success shows that township culture and entrepreneurship can create powerful platforms for entertainment and economic opportunity.
From the sizzling kota stalls to the sounds of Ringo Madlingozi, Saturday’s festival offered the Vaal a celebration of food, music and culture — with the iconic singer leaving a lasting impression on the crowd.
