South African rapper and TV presenter Nomuzi “Moozlie” Mabena has poured her heart out after CottonFest officially announced its closure. The star, who has been part of the festival since its very beginning, shared a touching tribute on Instagram as she said goodbye to an event she describes as “home.”
Moozlie posted an emotional message titled “The End of An Era,” reflecting on what the festival has meant to her over the years. She wrote, “@cottonfestjhb my baby… Where do I even begin? I could go on & on… You were not just a festival, you felt like home. A place to live fully & express honestly. You gave us space to both grieve & celebrate. To see & to be seen. You were the culture’s brightest shining star & you should be SO proud! I know I am.”
The rapper continued by thanking the CottonFest team for their years of hard work and dedication. She added, “To my @cottonfestjhb family… THANK YOU!! I know we never really say it enough, but thank you. This is just another colour we’ll add to the kaleidoscope of emotions this festival has made us feel. And over the years there have been many.”
Acknowledging how difficult the closure is for everyone behind the scenes, she said, “I know your hearts are heavy but please hold your heads up high. Despite everything… YOU DID THAT!! THANK YOU!! @thesecretlifeof_b you fought my sister… Now it’s time to rest.”
She also shared a special message to fans, known as “Cotton Eaters”: “Tag, you’re it! The end of one journey means the start of something new & you already know what @rikyrickworld would want us to do. We keep looking out not just for ourselves but for each other. The sentiment still stands… WE NEVER DIE, WE MULTIPLY.”
Alongside the tribute, Moozlie posted a video montage showing her best moments at CottonFest over the years. In the clip, when asked how many festivals she has done, she proudly answers, “There actually isn’t a CottonFest line up that I haven’t been on. I’ve been there from the very beginning.”
Earlier this week, CottonFest confirmed that the festival will not continue after seven successful years. The announcement, made on Instagram, left many fans devastated. Since its launch in 2019 by the late Riky Rick, CottonFest has grown into one of the country’s most loved cultural events.
In their final message, the organisers wrote, “CottonFest was never just a Festival. It was a family, a purpose, and a heartbeat shared among Us. Thank you for carrying that heartbeat with us so fiercely and for walking this journey with us.”
They added, “Since 2019 YOU have all been instrumental in the success of the Festival but more so, in keeping the movement and Riky’s legacy alive. After months of deliberation, it is with a very heavy heart that we share the news that it is the end of an era for the Festival.”
