By Emily Setona
FICKSBURG – The cancellation of the 2025 Cherry Jazz Festival has dealt a major blow to Ficksburg and the broader Setsoto area, ending a 16-year tradition that has long been one of the Free State’s biggest cultural and economic drawcards.
Festival organisers, Bold Moves 198 (Pty) Ltd, announced this week that the event would not go ahead due to unforeseen funding challenges, saying they were left with no option but to postpone. The company expressed regret over the setback but promised a stronger comeback in 2026 with a revitalized programme.
For many small businesses, the Cherry Jazz weekend is more than just entertainment — it’s survival. Guesthouses, restaurants, food vendors, transport operators and crafters all benefit from the influx of thousands of visitors who flock to the “Cherry Capital” each November.
The festival, held alongside the annual Cherry Festival, injects millions of rand into the local economy. According to the Setsoto Local Municipality’s Integrated Development Plan (IDP), the Cherry and Cherry Jazz Festivals together attract up to 100 000 visitors annually, making them the region’s biggest tourism drivers. For local entrepreneurs, the festival period is often their most profitable time of the year.
Setsoto Executive Mayor Seipati Mbiwe described the cancellation as a major loss for the community but said she was confident the event would return stronger.
“The Cherry Jazz Festival has always been more than entertainment for us — it brings people together, creates opportunities and supports livelihoods. We understand the financial difficulties faced by the organisers and remain hopeful about its return in 2026,” she said.
First launched in 2009, the Cherry Jazz Festival grew from a small side event into a headline attraction featuring South Africa’s top jazz and Afro-soul artists. Its cancellation this year not only disappoints music lovers but also leaves a gaping hole in the local business calendar.
Economists say events like the Cherry Jazz Festival are vital for small towns such as Ficksburg, where the economy relies heavily on agriculture and border trade. Tourism-based events, they argue, help diversify income streams and create temporary employment opportunities.
Bold Moves 198 said it would use the year ahead to review funding models and secure more sustainable partnerships. The company has already set 15 November 2026 as the date for the festival’s return, promising a bigger, more innovative event.
While disappointment lingers, the people of Ficksburg remain hopeful that the rhythm, colour and energy that define the Cherry Jazz Festival will soon return.
For now, the town’s streets may be quieter this November — but its spirit of resilience and readiness for revival remains unbroken.
