THE latest drinks craze sweeping Mzansi is gin.
The evidence is the excitement over the second annual Soweto Gin Festival on 8 and 9 September.
The gin festival plans to introduce the wide world of gin to Soweto’s street culture by mixing drinks alongside many different and unique Mzansi lifestyle elements – and celebrating it Soweto style.
According to festival co-founder and organiser Katleho Motingoe, last year’s first reception was very positive.
“We had a great turn-out last year, so we anticipate more visitors this year.”
She said the tickets are also selling rapidly, which indicates a demanding market.
Katleho, who co-owns Kabomo Communications, said she and her business partner decided to push the focus on gin because there are already other alcohol-related festivals in Soweto.
“Soweto is the main market when it comes to new business development and this includes alcohol, but gin is a spirit that’s having a global renaissance at the moment.”
The Noordgesig-based businesswoman said gin is a flexible and useful distilled spirit which offers fans and creators a lot more space to be creative.
“Gin is like a blank piece of paper. It’s made to be infused with different plants and other ingredients, which allows it to be so variable and open to experimentation.”
With the gin, the festival will also host food stalls serving gourmet versions of street food. This is an attempt to showcase kasi culture to a wider audience.
The Soweto Gin Festival will be happening at Elkah Soweto Cricket Oval in Moroka.
Tickets cost R180 a person and are on sale at Ticketpro, Edgars, CNA and Jet.
