“We've been getting recognition both at home and abroad for over ten years now,” explains Carel Hoffman, OppiKoppi's President for Life. “We've always done what we want, and had as much fun doing it as we possibly could. There's no other way to go about it - if you're not enjoying yourself then there's no point in continuing.” It's a philosophy built from the ground up - Carel is as much a part of the OppiKoppi crowd - totally immersing himself in the festival's hedonistic atmosphere - as he is the man behind organising all the events. And whilst the August Festival is still the main attraction, OppiKoppi is busy throughout the year, proudly championing South African music. “The main festival is the heart and soul of everything we do,” he continues. “But our total business sees us reaching 400 000 people in a year, many more than the number of revellers who trek to Northam.”
And whilst OppiKoppi is as South African as biltong, it's got the international community licking its lips, if not going green with envy. Voted as one of the ten best festivals in the world, it has a unique attraction that has as much to do with the consistently groundbreaking lineup as it does with the raw energy of the experience. “There's nothing else like it in the world,” says Carel. “We've been invited to loads of festivals all over, and when we invite people back here they can't believe it. Sure there are other outdoor events, but none are as ‘bushwahcky' as this. It's because of the amount of freedom at the festival. We encourage this: do what you want as long as you don't hurt or irritate others.”
That's the thing about OppiKoppi - there are no divisions between organisers, punters and performers. They're all there to contribute to the same vibe. Karen Zoid knows this. She's been there since the start, not initially as a performer, but as a student who added to the mayhem with a rather peculiar prophylactic promotion. “I sold condoms,” laughs the rock legend. “I had these men dressed in nappies cruising around with prams and selling these novelty rubbers. It worked really well.” And why not? If there's a place for grown men dressed as babies to help promote safe sex, then it's OppiKoppi.
But it's when Karen started performing at the festival, something she's been doing almost every year for over a decade, that she got to feel the real power of the experience. “It's like one big family,” she enthuses. “The lineup is so diverse and bold, but we're all in it for the music and it shows. Carel and the crew are incredible at getting it right every time - they're not afraid to try out new artists or to introduce acts that most of the fans wouldn't usually be in to. They'll book someone like Malaika, and before you know it the whole party is getting down to a sound they've never heard before. They pull it off because everyone involved loves music first. It's a musician's dream to play there.” The members of Fokofpolisiekar were immediately taken with the festival when they debuted there in 2004. “We're from Cape Town and it was the first time that we experienced the OppiKoppi culture,” they recount. “We stayed in an old broken down VW Kombi somewhere in the camping area. We had never experienced so much dust, but we had to come back. We were hooked!”
These sentiments are mirrored by the diverse number of musos who've performed over the years. “I've played there many times and it's always been an incredible experience,” says guitar virtuoso and international star Vusi Mahlasela. “They really give you the platform to showcase yourself, and it's wonderful that it's not just the noted artists who perform, they're always breaking new acts. The stages are always full of so many different artists playing so many different styles.” Mr. Koos Kombuis agrees with the accolades heaped on OppiKoppi. “It's the biggest show in the Southern Hemisphere, and one of the biggest parties in the Galaxy,” says the man who, by his own admission, has been involved with the festival since what seems like the dawn of time.
These praises are fitting because they're from the very people that OppiKoppi set out to champion. From the start, back when it wasn't accepted thinking, the organisers were totally committed to South African music. “OppiKoppi grew up from the trenches,” explains Carel. “And we still perceive ourselves to be in the trenches with the musicians.” It's this individual spirit that keeps the festival alive today, an approach that is valued by everyone, especially the artists. “OppiKoppi have become a culture within itself that appreciates and supports good music and offers a platform where great musicians can play to great supporters, fans and friends,” explain the boys from the band with a name that includes police car. “The festival standard is of the highest in South Africa and it's always a privilege to play there.”
Non-conformist, left-of-centre, underground - call it what you will, the fact is that there's an open-mindedness here that is sorely lacking in today's sausage-factory entertainment world. OppiKoppi knows that music brings people together, and has worked tirelessly to represent the beautifully broad spectrum of South African styles. Like a 3-day therapy session, OppiKoppi is a temporary autonomous zone, a space to let loose, let rip and get caught up in the complete madness of festival fun.
“The August festival is over my birthday,” smiles Karen. “So whilst it's always very special, last year was particularly memorable because the whole audience sang happy birthday to me. That was touching and, along with Carel dressed up in a cow suit, made my thirtieth a very moving occasion.” Vusi also has very fond memories. “I've been involved in some incredible collaborations at OppiKoppi, most notably with Louise Mhlanga, Albert Frost and Koos Kombuis” he reminisces. Although Mr Kombuis can't quite note all of his special memories down, he does have loads. “Don't get me started,” he writes in an email. “I don't have enough space on my hard drive to write all that stuff.”
So, 15 years on, and OppiKoppi is just getting bigger and stronger. Levi's® have been involved for the past seven years, and countless South Africans regard it as an essential part of their musical development - all fans need to make at least one sacred pilgrimage to Northam. It's also a rite of passage for local bands. “There's the classic saying of that all the great bands of South Africa have been made at OppiKoppi and the scary part is that it's true,” conclude Fokofpolisiekar.
This year's festival will be closing with an official ceremony on the 9th of August where the monumental announcement will be made. But as we all know, National Monument or not, OppiKoppi is already a South African treasure. And it always will be.
