The festival has, since its inception 20 years ago, generated much income into the province as well as controversy on the inner workings of the festival.

As the provincial arts department responded to questions from members of the Free State Provincial Legislature today at the Provincial Public Accounts Committee (Propac), it revealed that it is considering proposing a festival much like Macufe but still needs to engage more with the provincial treasury department on this matter. This follows after legislature members questioned whether or not the department has received a return on investment with regards to the festival and questioned what the department has done about the fact that one contractor seems to benefit more than others with regards to the festival.

The Departmental Head, Stanley Malope, told the Provincial Public Accounts Committee that last year, the department enjoyed some monetary reward on their initial investment from the festival, while he did not specify how much exactly this was. He further revealed that the company that has allegedly benefitted more than other contractors, believed to be C-Squared, will be working on this festival for the last time this year as its contract with the department comes to an end.

Malope said while the department initially considered terminating its contract with the said service provider, which resulted in the provider threatening with legal action, the department's legal advisors advised against this, stating that engaging in a court battle would not serve anything as the contract ends later this year.

He further revealed that the company will this year receive more money for the festival as compared to previous years, despite the fact that its contract is coming to an end. He stated that the instruction for this was given to his department by the executive committee and the reason given was so that the quality of the festival does not drop in order for the festival to remain a tourist attraction. The chairperson of Propac, Neels van Rooyen, said this decision was one he did not understand and further stated that it was concerning that the provincial arts department would arrive at this decision despite the fact that the contract for the festival with this service provider is coming to an end.

Meanwhile, the specifics on this alternative model are not yet known as Malope said his department would further need to engage with the provincial treasury department on the options it can pursue within this regard.

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