Organizers of this year’s CapeStars Sand Music Festival say preparations are at an advanced stage with major logistical hurdles including the current fuel scarcity already addressed ahead of the event’s return in Mangochi this weekend.
In a media brief, Impakt Events Management lead coordinator Yamikani Chinguwo said ground management is almost complete.
“A standard vehicle car park, VIP vehicle car park and artists’ car park have been secured inside the compound for safety, the camping site has been cleared and the security perimeter has been finished with a bamboo fence.
“Locally owned bars and food stall vendors have been allocated space with a site map released on Monday while sound equipment, stage and lights were expected to arrive mid-day [Wednesday] with the stage set to be up by Thursday evening,” said Chinguwo.
On the concerns of fuel scarcity, the organisers hint that they have partnered with several logistics companies which have provided six minibuses to ferry festival-goers from Blantyre and Lilongwe to Mangochi and back from Friday to Sunday at a fee.
The festival which marks 15 years since its inception and returns after a two-year absence is being bankrolled by HS Winehouse Beverages and Hospitality through its CapeStars alcoholic spirits brand.
Meanwhile, CapeStars finance director Rachel Mijiga says sponsoring the festival is a strategic move for tourism.
“SandFest is the biggest asset for marketing tourism in Malawi at the moment, in as far as Event Tourism goes. Added to this is the legacy element of keeping the works of Soldier Sir Lucius Banda alive. In a nutshell what is good for Malawi tourism is great for CapeStars as a brand and all Malawi businesses.
“Entertainment is the antidote that cures souls from the daily afflictions of life. CapeStars lubricates interactions and attenuates the good vibes,” Mijiga stresses.
For this year’s comeback, organizers have promised innovations headlined by the Old Xool ReUnion saying “this will be an experience of all times”.
Zambia’s sensation Yo Maps will headline the event with amapiano dtar Zeze Kingston, Joe Ikon, Kelly Kay and Piksy, among others dishing out their very best to the audience.
