OFTEN good ideas come to you when a door long open is finally closed and that is exactly how the Mieliepop Festival came about. Coenraad Nel was leaving Oppikoppi with the realisation that he had become a tad long-in-the-tooth for the frenetic pace that is one of South Africa’s favourite festivals.
“I have a lot of friends who have kids and I saw a gap for a more sophisticated festival. I am almost 40 years old and I am a huge fan of all the festivals in this country.”
Coming from a production background he, along with his partner Etienne Erasmus, put their heads together and formulated a plan. The idea was to have a festival a few short hours out of Joburg.
“I even rented a small plane to look for a farm or an area.”
He finally found a place in Lothair, Mpumalanga, three hours outside of Joburg and three hours away from Durban.
“When I found the spot I did a dance in front of my car, I was so happy.”
Three years later and Mieliepop is expecting about 3 000 people. What makes this festival so different is that there is a tent town already set up. Included are walk-in tents with carpets, plug points, lights and real beds. The tents are accessible by boats and are situated across a dam opposite the entertainment area.
“There is the biggest, lushest green lawn you have ever seen in your life,” enthuses Nel. “People who flick their cigarette butts go and pick them up. There is a natural spring and a waterfall underneath which is a cave. We have turned it into a disco cave for the duration of the festival and it is where everyone goes and parties after the live entertainment.
“The venue is on the escarpment so it doesn’t get that hot during the day. There are also two heated pools and splash pools,” he continued.
“It’s like a little Eden and it’s got such a nice energy about it.”
The owner of the farm enjoys driving the boat ferrying people to and from the camp site, he said.
“The boat is called the Yellow Dub Marine because it always has reggae playing.”
Aside from the stunning layout and the fact that you don’t have to set up tent, the line-up for Mieliepop is excellent with all the top rock bands present. The Hip Replacements and Radio Kalahari Orkes are fitting due to them being age-appropriate for the festival. Shadowclub, Josie Fields and Laurie Levine, Tidal Waves and Nakhane Toure are also booked.
There is a one-off performance of Wonderboom featuring a resurrected Mandoza. New bands include the oddly named Susan That Whore as well as Women Who Kill.
Mieliepop takes place from October 2 to 5.
“We have started off small because for a festival to be success-ful we need the stories to be told by the people. I have also made it a proper family-friendly affair as there are not many festivals who are family friendly.”