The DStv Delicious Festival is one of the most popular events in South Africa with fans clamouring for tickets as soon as they go on sale.
However, because one of their headline acts cannot make it, concertgoers are fuming about not being able to get ticket refunds.
The lifestyle festival occurs over two days. Janet Jackson was due to headline Saturday’s event, while Jill Scott takes the stage on Sunday.
Following the death of Jackson’s brother Tito, the pop superstar was forced to cancel her appearance. When Ticketmaster announced on Tuesday evening, fans said it was expected that Jackson would miss the festival.
It is with sadness that we announce Janet Jackson’s cancellation of her performance at the #DStvDeliciousFestival2024, due to the loss of her beloved brother, Tito Jackson. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Jackson family during this difficult time.
[1/2] pic.twitter.com/O8JJ3KXbDO
— DStv (@DStv) September 18, 2024
Festivalgoers were allowed to swap their tickets for the Sunday edition of the show, but there was no word on refunds.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), they expressed their disappointment. Some complained about not being able to exchange their tickets for the following day after following the prompts on the Ticketmaster website. Others moaned about not getting emails to confirm their Sunday attendance.
Ticket holders were not having it, despite concert organisers saying they were working hard to find an international replacement for Jackson.
“Why not just offer a complete refund? Sunday lineup is boring,” asked an X user. Another offered to sell their double tickets for R1,200.
Why not just offer a complete refund? Sunday line up is ? #DStvDeliciousFestival2024 pic.twitter.com/vcZzWgZ3B9
— Kabelo Zungu (@kabelo_zungu) September 18, 2024
@izwe_libanzi mentioned the fine print, saying: “People fighting for refunds there by Delicious festival are a testament that humans don’t read the fine print. Hilarious.”
People fighting for refunds there by Delicious festival are a testament that humans don’t read the fine print. Hilarious. #DStvDeliciousFestival2024 pic.twitter.com/FlRiSRfNz3
— Live. Read. Travel (@izwe_libanzi) September 18, 2024
@babymashokwe brought up a very valid point: “Hey @DeliciousFestSA, I get that you all are understandably busy right now. I see you’ve given Saturday ticket holders the chance to swap to Sunday, what option do you have for those who bought weekend passes and no longer want to attend on Saturday?”
Hey @DeliciousFestSA, I get that y’all are understandably busy right now. I see you’ve given Saturday ticket holders the chance to swop to Sunday, what option do you have for those who bought weekend passes and no longer want to attend on Saturday? #DStvDeliciousFestival2024
— Baby Mogale (@babymashokwe) September 17, 2024
Words: Fame Frenzy
