Aardklop to move back to NWU RAG-farm

One of the core changes Aardklop wants to implement in 2020 is to move the festival grounds from Cachet Park back to the RAG farm of the North-West University (NWU).

The reasons for this move include a safer and cleaner festival terrain, more accessible parking for the festival goers and affordability, according to Alexa Strachan, festival manager.

Aardklop’s move to the RAG-farm under previous management caused several complaints from the community. However, Strachan reassured community members that the move in 2020 will be executed in a way that meets the needs of everyone attending the festival.

“We received multiple complaints from our audience about the festival grounds at Cachet Park, which we carefully considered. People need to remember that the “old” Aardklop went bankrupt. This year we are going to follow our own route and we promise that the vibe there will be great!” Strachan said. 

For Aardklop to survive as a national arts festival, it has to make changes every year to adapt to modern trends and keep the fans, artists and the community of Potchefstroom happy.

Every new concept or change that Aardklop implemented since Strachan took over five years ago, seems to have worked. The festival generates between R50 million and R65 million every year to boost the economy of Potchefstroom. 

Aardklop is also moving their office in Molen Street to a virtual office, to use their resources smarter. “We want to save money where we can and invest more money in the arts,” Strachan explained. The plans are to install telephone services at each staff member’s home where they can still be contacted at any time.

A central office will, however, still be set up three months before the festival to handle specific administrative issues.

Cachet Park is planning on upgrading the previous Aardklop terrain on the Bult this year to make it safer and more accessible to the community of Potchefstroom, said Prof Fika Janse van Rensburg, head of the Cachet Park City Improvement District (CID). “We are not planning anything to undermine our loyalty to Aardklop during the festival and we will therefore still support the structure of Aardklop wholeheartedly.”  

According to Alet Janse van Rensburg, former journalist for Aardklop’s media team in 2018 and 2019 and current Editor in Chief of the NWU student newspaper, Wapad, Aardklop is in good hands.

“Potchefstroom is filled with an electric atmosphere during Aardklop and I believe that the management team of the festival will only make changes if it is necessary for the survival of the festival,” she said. 

Strachan said Aardklop’s primary mandate is to provide a safe platform for the arts where the community can also come together and challenge one another through discourse.

“This can only happen if we keep looking forward and stay up to date for the sake of our audience. We are not a ‘high and mighty’ company – we are accessible, and we need the input and support of the community.” 

Aardklop will take place from 22-27 September this year. The daily entrance fee is R40 and the weekly fee is R90.