According to
Viljoen, following hours toiling in the vineyards it’s now time for the 123 workers on Solms-Delta farm, together with those from neighbouring Franschhoek farms, to relax and party at the traditional end of harvest annual Oesfees.
“The
ATKV Franschhoek Oesfees, which takes place at
Solms-Delta wine estate on Saturday 23 March, is first and foremost a celebration for those who work year round in the vineyards and cellars,” says Viljoen. “Free tickets are given to farm workers from all the surrounding Franschhoek wine-farms and they are joined by many other locals and visitors. The music leaps between generations and genres - brass bands, Afrikaans folk, vastrap, langarm, hip hop and jazz and while some of the performers are headliners such as Mango Groove and Emo Adams with big credits to their names, many of them are amateurs with day jobs on the Franschhoek farms.”
The end of harvest has been celebrated throughout the world since Pagan times, when traditionally the farmer provided a harvest festival supper. The Franschhoek festival is a day when everyone comes together to enjoy the real music and culture of the Boland, with its deep heart, soul and history. An event like few others on the South African cultural calendar, the Oesfees brings together farm workers and farm owners from the valley, to kuier and vastrap alongside visitors and tourists, celebrating their hard work and the Cape's rich cultural heritage with traditional Boland rural music and kaapsekos. Since 2008, Solms-Delta and the ATKV have taken the traditional harvest celebration to the next level, growing it from a small event to a full house with big name performers, which all music lovers can attend and enjoy. Last year, the Festival was sold out by mid-day with 5000 in attendance.
Other popular musical names set to wow the crowds throughout the day include Die Heuwels Fantasties, Valiant Swart, Radio Kalahari Orkes, Hot Water, Tribal Echo, Tidal Waves, Hannes Coetzee and Solms-Delta’s very own musicians, the talented performers from the Music van de Caab project.
The
ATKV Franschhoek Oesfees is also a showcase for the Music van de Caab project run by Adriaan Brand of Springbok Nude Girls and an important part of this festival are performances by Solms-Delta's very own home-grown bands amongst all the top talent. The project seeks to preserve and develop the diverse musical heritage of the rural Cape, including the fostering of local musical talent. The Solms-Delta music acts range from the Klein-Handjies pre-school choir and “Kaapse Klopse” style walking band to a top wind and percussion band, Langbroeke, with female choir ensemble, Soetstemme. Also performing on their own turf will be the Delta Valley Entertainers, Delta Vastrap Genootskap and Lekker Lekker Delta.
“Music is the catalyst for uniting people of all backgrounds in this day of celebration,”,says Mark Solms of Solms-Delta. “Anyone with heart and soul cannot help but be moved by the outstanding and authentic music, rich cultural heritage and spirit of togetherness that pervades the Valley during the Oesfees."
No rural musical treat would be complete without the real flavours of the Cape. From the Oesfees kitchen comes Kaapsekos favourites made with local love, like chicken breyani, venison pie, beef afval curry and Cape-style braaivleis with all the salads, along with hand-held treats like samoosas and herzogs. Solms-Delta wines, aptly named Langarm, Vastrap, Cape Jazz Shiraz, Lekkerwijn and Hiervandaan, are the 'hiervandaan' accompaniments to the authentic Boland fare.
Children can have fun of their own in Jive Kids’ Zone, where they can safely enjoy carnival games, a circus craft table, face painting, balloon animals and various other activities throughout the day, as well as various jumping castles, all overseen by qualified staff.
Pre-booking is strongly advised to avoid disappointment. A limited number of tickets will be available at the gate for R140. R20 for Children 3yrs - 12 years, which includes access to the kiddie's area. Entry is free for children under 3yrs, with access to Jive Kids Zone only under parental supervision. Time: 10am to 9pm. Food, wine and beverages are on sale at the event.