Following the cancellation of the 2025 Hey Neighbour Festival, organizers face backlash over delayed and missing refunds, as frustrated fans flood social media and turn to legal action to reclaim their money.
After being shifted from August to December 2025, the Hey Neighbour Festival was officially scrapped in September following major financial setbacks.
Refunds were supposed to roll out by October 10, 2025, according to organizers Glen 21 Entertainment, but most ticketholders claim they still haven’t received their refunds.
In an interview with 947, Glen Netshipise of Glen 21 Entertainment admitted that communication around refunds has not been clear.
He explained that “funding something of the magnitude of Hey Neighbour is a very tough task,” especially in South Africa.
After pouring in major funds during year one, they aimed to “exceed those expectations” in year two, but when the sales weren’t coming in and targets fell short, the project quickly became “unsustainable in the long term.”
Pressed on when refunds will be issued, he admitted, “That’s a question that every person is asking.”
Netshipise said the initial refund date was shared “in good faith,” but they ran into unexpected challenges.
He addressed growing concerns surrounding describing the experience as a first for the company, he admitted they were “navigating things that we are not aware [of]”.
Despite criticism, he assured fans that the team is “working 24/7 to make sure refunds are done as quickly as possible.” However, he admitted they cannot currently give “exact timelines”.
He acknowledged the weight of disappointment: “To disappoint ticketholders the way that we have… possibly weighs more than people can imagine.”
While some fans have already received refunds, he noted they are “refunding as capacity allows.” He concluded by saying the situation has impacted the company deeply, and they want to “get this behind us as quickly as possible.”
Still, organizers remain hopeful, saying “people must expect us to come back stronger.”
Tickets for the cancelled 2025 festival will be valid for the 2026 edition, but many fans are unhappy, considering it’s a lot of money, with prices ranging from R1,599 (1-Day GA) to R5,399 (3-Day VIP).
Several ticketholders have started exploring legal routes — including one TikTok user [mec00lerthanu].
Meanwhile, social media has erupted with criticism, as angry fans call out the organizers for poor communication, broken promises, and a lack of transparency surrounding the refund process.
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