With Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) being a topical and understandable concern across KwaZulu-Natal in recent months, Splashy Fen organisers wish to reassure festivalgoers and the local community that the 35th edition of South Africa’s longest-running music festival will proceed as planned from 2 to 6 April, with comprehensive mitigation measures firmly in place.
Foot and Mouth Disease is a serious illness that affects livestock, and it is being treated with the utmost seriousness by Splashy Fen and the broader Underberg community. Importantly, FMD does not affect humans, and after extensive consultation with relevant authorities, Splashy Fen has been classified as a low-risk event in terms of FMD transmission.
The festival site is accessed via a single district road that leads directly into the Splashy Fen farm, which has no livestock on the property. Attendees arrive via this road and exit the same way, significantly reducing the risk of any potential disease transmission. Splashy Fen organisers have worked closely with government agencies, the Underberg Farmers’ Association, and all relevant authorities, who collectively agree that the festival should take place and that the mitigation measures being implemented are appropriate and effective.
“As a festival deeply rooted in this community for over three decades, we take our responsibility to local farmers and residents extremely seriously,” say the organisers. “We fully acknowledge the concerns around Foot and Mouth Disease and are committed to doing everything necessary to mitigate the already low risk associated with the event.”
This year marks the 35th edition of Splashy Fen, an event that has become a cornerstone of the Underberg community and a major contributor to tourism and economic activity in the region. Not only Splashy Fen, but all events hosted in the Underberg area play a vital role in supporting local businesses and livelihoods within the Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma Municipality.
Underberg remains a key tourism destination and welcomed over 75,000 visitors during December and January alone. Maintaining confidence that the region is open for business and doing so in a safe, responsible, and well-managed manner is a shared priority for all stakeholders.
Splashy Fen organisers reaffirm their commitment to ongoing cooperation with authorities and the farming community to ensure the festival is delivered responsibly, while continuing to celebrate music, culture, and community in one of South Africa’s most treasured regions.