The annual VOC festival is a time when the radio station’s staff rally together for its biggest social event, and more importantly, meeting loyal listeners. As the festival kicks off on Thursday evening, hours before the official opening on Friday night, VOC staff shared their expectations for this year’s fundraiser.

The festival has over the years become a mainstay on the calendar of the local community, and despite last year’s event being postponed; there has been a renewed sense of excitement amongst community members and staff.

VOC programme manager, Mishka Darries will be entering her sixth festival as a member of the station and has many standout moments.

“Brilliant memories are the laser beams against Table Mountain. I starkly remember that and it was just brilliant. Then we had the festival cook-off with the various media houses and the internal staff. Also the moments of interacting with our listeners,” she exclaimed.

In the same breath, she pointed to the loyalty shown by many a community member, who made it an obligation to come out year after year for the event.

“They come here to meet the presenters, they come here to meet the people behind the scenes and just spend the time with VOC and their families. That is the important thing, that they come back over and over,” she said.

This year’s edition will mark the first since the sad passing of VOC stalwart, Munadia Karaan and Darries was keen to recognise her efforts over the years in ensuring the festival remained a success.

Ra’eesah Isaacs, a journalist who will be covering her third festival, said it marked a perfect opportunity for families to come together and enjoy themselves, as well as get a sense of what Cape Town was actually about.

“The fact that VOC can offer that and still raise money over a weekend for the bursary fund is something I think is very important,” she said.

What stood out most for her was the wide array of stalls available, where attendees would be able to buy anything from good food, to cheap and fashionable clothing.

“The VOC festival is an event that people look forward to each year…there is very little good happening in our communities with the gang violence and poverty, so this is one event where people can actually enjoy themselves and still afford it, “she said.

Breakfast Beat co-host, Yusuf Mallie, whose only prior festival experience came as a stall holder during the inaugural event, said the response he had received then was amazing. He was full of praise for the sense of community seen at the event.

“The festival is there for the community to get to know one another, and I think that is also part of the reason why it is such a success, “ he noted.

Gates will officially open on Friday 14:00pm, with the opening ceremony scheduled for 19:30pm. There will also be several events on Friday to keep festival-goers entertainment, including the ulama soccer match at 21:00pm. Entertainment is also scheduled around the same time on the main stage, and in the tea garden.

Saturday will kick off the weekend’s sports events, which will take place throughout the day. A kiddie’s party starts at 09:00am in the tea garden, and will be followed by several other programmes. Qaseeda renditions will also be on show on both the main stage, and in the tea garden

On Sunday staff will be personally treating mothers to a special Mother’s Day breakfast from 8:30am onwards. The Golden Hour luncheon live broadcast will take place at 13:30. Girls touch rugby, U15 seven-a-side rugby, and athletics will be regular fixtures on the field and track throughout the day.

The VOC festival officially kicks off on Friday at the Vygieskraal Stadium in Athlone. Tickets cost R20 for adults and R10 for pensioners and children under 12. VOC (Mubeen Banderker)