This generous offer came from the organisers of the Lemo Fest, led by multi-billionaire Freddie Kenney, founder of the Kenworth Group.

During a virtual media briefing for the launch of the third edition of Lemo Fest on Friday (18/7), Kenney publicly extended the invitation to the Free State government, offering to host some of the Macufe events at the state-of-the-art Lemo Green Park at no cost. This gesture follows the organisers’ strong support for the return of Macufe, one of South Africa’s most iconic cultural festivals, after it was put on hiatus for some time.

“We are not in partnership with the government or the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, but what we want to see is how Lemo Fest can play a role in their programme,” said Kenney. “We are saying here is the venue, can you please bring some of your shows to the township? We are not sure yet what is happening, but previous events ended in town. That’s why the birth of Lemo Fest happened in the township.”  

Lemo Fest’s role in Macufe’s revival would not involve running the festival’s programmes. He said Macufe's organising committee would continue to oversee the event’s direction. However, Kenney made it clear Lemo Fest would take full responsibility for aspects such as security and access control. “Even the access control must be on us.   

“We will sit down with the government around the table if they come to the party. We are not forcing them to take our venue. All we are saying is, here's a hand; we want to connect. We don’t want to be an opposition, we want to connect.” 

Kenney expressed immense enthusiasm for the return of Macufe, stressing the importance of not just one but several cultural events in the region. He hopes the Free State will host a diverse range of events throughout the months of September, October, November, and December, creating an atmosphere that will significantly boost the local economy.

“There must be bumper-to-bumper events. Traffic should come to a standstill as people attend, adding to the economy of the city.”  

This vision aligns with broader efforts to transform Bloemfontein into a cultural hub, drawing both national and international attention to the city’s rich heritage. OFM News previously reported on the economic impact of these events, noting that over 300 jobs were created after the construction and planning phases for the dome and the Lemo Fest began.

Local businesses are also poised to benefit, particularly from the market stalls that will be set up outside the Dome, offering economic opportunities for vendors and entrepreneurs in the area.

One of the core goals of Lemo Fest is to empower local talent and ensure artists from Bloemfontein and the surrounding areas get the exposure they deserve. Kenney highlighted his commitment to this initiative, expressing a desire for local artists to share the stage with big-name performers, gaining national and international recognition in the process.

“I want to ensure that some of the local artists feature in performances with major artists so they get recognised. It’s about bringing the talent from the township to the world stage.”

‘Lemo Fest, Macufe share a common vision’

He said Lemo Fest and Macufe share a common vision, with both festivals working towards similar goals: bringing people to Mangaung, celebrating talent, and showcasing the region’s authentic culture. The alignment of these two significant cultural events creates a unique opportunity for the Free State to establish itself as a premier destination for arts, culture, and tourism.

“We recognise we operate in the same industry and that our vision aligns closely with the essence of Macufe,” Kenney said. “The aim is to celebrate and highlight the talent of the people of Mangaung, and we are committed to making that a reality.”

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi dg