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Cape Town - A chain e-mail that accuses the popular RAMfest of satanism apparently resulted in organisers rushing to find a new venue in Bloemfontein, after Kovsies' RAG venue was withdrawn.
The anonymous e-mail originated in Bloemfontein and accuses organisers of bringing "foreign occult and satanic music groups to the festival".
It says among other things: "This festival is organised by satanists and an illuminati-movement! One only needs to look at RAMfest's logo to see the occult signs."
The organisers believe it's due to this e-mail that the University of the Free State (UFS) has withdrawn. The UFS, however, says it's simply because the correct protocol was not followed.
'People will find Satan'
In the e-mail, people are asked to pray together against the rock festival, to be held on March 3.
RAMfest began six years ago in Cape Town and expanded so quickly that it's being staged in Johannesburg for the third time this year and for the second time in Durban. Bloemfontein and Port Elizabeth will be part of the festival for the first time this year.
Chief organiser Dawid Fourie said the intention is by no means to lead people into the abyss.
"It's just a pure rock 'n roll festival that we're trying to get started on an international standard.
"People will however find Satan everywhere they look for him."
Universities love protocol
Fourie said he has already lost R80 000 because he had to re-print flyers and redo TV and radio advertisments.
"Everything was ready for the Kovsie Rag venue, that can accommodate 3 000 people.
"Fortunately, the Mystic Boer received us with open arms. But they can only accommodate 800 people," said Fourie.
Kabous Meiring, who until recently acted as manager of student media, which includes Kovsie FM, said Kovsie FM was very excited about the festival.
"We have booked the Rag venue for the festival, but due to ignorance we didn't fill in all the right forms. We thus didn't follow the correct procedures.
"Kovsie FM love rock concerts; universities love protocol. Bloemfontein can do with a good rock show. "
Dates
She was also taken aback by the e-mail saying she can't believe people want to cancel a festival due to so-called satanism.
Dean of student affairs Rudi Buys said the UFS did not give approval for RAMfest on the Bloemfontein campus.
Fourie said he is determined to take RAMfest to Bloemfontein again next year.
RAMfest takes place on March 2 in Port Elizabeth, March 3 in Bloemfontein, March 9 in Durban, March 10 in Johannesburg and March 11 in Cape Town.
Among the international bands that will play in Cape Town and Johannesburg are In Flames (Sweden), Awolnation (US), Infected Mushroom (Israel) and Netsky (Belgium).
The list of bands varies for the different cities.
*Did you perhaps receive the anti-RAMfest chain e-mail? Do you agree with its message? E-mail us your thoughts.
The anonymous e-mail originated in Bloemfontein and accuses organisers of bringing "foreign occult and satanic music groups to the festival".
It says among other things: "This festival is organised by satanists and an illuminati-movement! One only needs to look at RAMfest's logo to see the occult signs."
The organisers believe it's due to this e-mail that the University of the Free State (UFS) has withdrawn. The UFS, however, says it's simply because the correct protocol was not followed.
'People will find Satan'
In the e-mail, people are asked to pray together against the rock festival, to be held on March 3.
RAMfest began six years ago in Cape Town and expanded so quickly that it's being staged in Johannesburg for the third time this year and for the second time in Durban. Bloemfontein and Port Elizabeth will be part of the festival for the first time this year.
Chief organiser Dawid Fourie said the intention is by no means to lead people into the abyss.
"It's just a pure rock 'n roll festival that we're trying to get started on an international standard.
"People will however find Satan everywhere they look for him."
Universities love protocol
Fourie said he has already lost R80 000 because he had to re-print flyers and redo TV and radio advertisments.
"Everything was ready for the Kovsie Rag venue, that can accommodate 3 000 people.
"Fortunately, the Mystic Boer received us with open arms. But they can only accommodate 800 people," said Fourie.
Kabous Meiring, who until recently acted as manager of student media, which includes Kovsie FM, said Kovsie FM was very excited about the festival.
"We have booked the Rag venue for the festival, but due to ignorance we didn't fill in all the right forms. We thus didn't follow the correct procedures.
"Kovsie FM love rock concerts; universities love protocol. Bloemfontein can do with a good rock show. "
Dates
She was also taken aback by the e-mail saying she can't believe people want to cancel a festival due to so-called satanism.
Dean of student affairs Rudi Buys said the UFS did not give approval for RAMfest on the Bloemfontein campus.
Fourie said he is determined to take RAMfest to Bloemfontein again next year.
RAMfest takes place on March 2 in Port Elizabeth, March 3 in Bloemfontein, March 9 in Durban, March 10 in Johannesburg and March 11 in Cape Town.
Among the international bands that will play in Cape Town and Johannesburg are In Flames (Sweden), Awolnation (US), Infected Mushroom (Israel) and Netsky (Belgium).
The list of bands varies for the different cities.
*Did you perhaps receive the anti-RAMfest chain e-mail? Do you agree with its message? E-mail us your thoughts.
