CHINTSA- The rolling hills and sea-kissed breezes of the Wild Coast set the perfect backdrop for the highly anticipated Wild Coast Cap Classique Festival, which returned with style and soul to Birkview Lodge on 30 August 2025.
This year’s festival, themed ‘Champagne Hues’, offered an unforgettable celebration of sparkling wine, gourmet cuisine and live music all nestled in one of the Eastern Cape’s most scenic corners. Wine connoisseurs were treated to over 20 tastings from South Africa’s top Cap Classique producers, including Simonsig, Pierre Jourdan and De Grendel.
Enthusiasts sipped and savoured amidst vibrant music and rich cultural expression. The musical lineup was nothing short of electrifying. Rising local talents like Ikhona and Groovie Christ shared the stage with the legendary Vusi Mahlasela, whose soulful voice and timeless guitar mastery left the crowd both moved and mesmerised.
“Music has always been my way of telling stories, sharing experiences and connecting with people,” said Mahlasela. He then added, “It’s a privilege to perform at the Wild Coast Cap Classique Festival, where art, culture and community come together in such a beautiful way.”
In a light-hearted moment, Sikelela ‘Groovie Christ’ Molefe remarked, “This is such an exclusive event and I am happy to be here there are only adults here, no 200s!” drawing laughter and cheers from the audience.
Beyond the bubbly and beats, the festival also carried a deeper message. One of transformation and reclaiming the narrative of the Eastern Cape.
Event organiser Papama Mnqandi described the venue, Birkview Lodge as a rare jewel; a sea-facing, Black-owned and woman-owned property something still uncommon in the region. “The Wild Coast is often in the headlines for the wrong reasons.
With this festival, we want to change that to create new narratives centred around beauty, creativity and opportunity,” Mnqandi said.
“This is the new paradigm for the Eastern Cape,” Mnqandi.
He emphasized the region’s untapped potential in ocean economy, agriculture and the creative industries, positioning the festival as part of a broader vision for inclusive development.
One of the main sponsors, Glacier by Sanlam echoed this sentiment. Speaking on behalf of the company, Dr. Khanyile Dzukum explained their decision to bring back the event through their partnership with Sanlam. “Charcuterie and bubbly festivals are popular in the Western Cape and we saw this event as an opportunity to connect with young professionals here in the Eastern Cape. We identified a gap in cultural events in this region and partnering with Sanlam allowed us to help bridge that.”
In addition festival-goer Nokhanyile shared her delight at the event’s attention to musical diversity and local relevance. “For once, we got to experience music that speaks to us. The lineup was perfect and having Vusi Mahlasela perform here was something truly special.”
The festival also served as a platform for tourism promotion and economic development, aiming to drive new traffic to local businesses and elevate the region’s reputation.
With its unique blend of elegance, authenticity and purpose, the Wild Coast Cap Classique Festival not only delighted attendees but also planted seeds of growth and pride in the Eastern Cape. If this year’s success is any indication, the festival is destined to become a landmark event in the South African cultural calendar.
Photographs: supplied
