About Us

Maclear and Ugie are two of the most scenic towns in the heart of the North Eastern Cape. It is here where the Drakensberg is best shown off by the azure sky , closely guarded by Black Eagles soaring serenely over the rocky outcrops and the undulating grasslands of the Ugie and Maclear distrcicts. The lush valleys reverberate with the haunting cry of the largest Crested Crane population in the country, while both Blue and Wattled Cranes also frequent the area. There are so many undiscovered treasures in this area and very few people are aware of the Dinosaur footprints and numerous Bushmen paintings patiently awaiting discovery.  This is our beloved country side of which we are very proud.

The origin of the Fees Zonder Naam was vested in a need for a regional event which would encourage social interaction between the villages of Maclear, Ugie and Elliot. Deciding on a name for the festival, however led to much debate. After hours of deliberation , no consensus had yet been reached. In frustration, Isabel Vorster's daughter, Danielle, sarcastically suggested that the festival should be called the Festival without a name. And so the "Fees Zonder Naam" was born. With this idea in mind, a management committee was elected in 2004, and the registration of the FZN festival as a non profit organization was attended to with the Department of Social Development.

All profits generated by this festival are apportioned as follows:

1. One third is retained in the books of the festival to meet the start up costs of the next years event.

2. One third is apportioned by the management committee to needy institutions and/or individuals within the Ugie area.

3. One third is apportioned by the management committee to needy institutions and/or individuals within the Maclear area.

Of paramount importance is the fact that the distribution of these profits at all times endeavours to uplift the beneficiaries within the respective villages, be they either institutions or individuals.

Given the fact that manpower in villages as small as these found in the North Eastern Cape, is always a problem, it was decided that the festival would be undertaken as a joint venture between the villages of Maclear and Ugie.

And so, the first Fees Zonder Naam was hosted in 2005. What the hosting of the first festival clearly indicated was that the communities of the North Eastern Cape clearly appreciated a social event of this nature, a fact clearly substantiated by the attendance of the 2005 festival.

With this in mind, the management committee undertook the hosting of the 2006 festival with one idea in mind and that was the hosting of an even bigger and better festival.

Given the above, preparations were extended to include an agricultural expo to the programme of events, as well as a mountain bike challenge.
Over the years the festival has grown to include the following:

1. The art and craft section is represented by an array of exhibitions, which included leather goods, jewellery, shoes, toys, home industries, cosmetics and a tea garden.

2. The food stalls are drawn from various parts of the country and provided a wide range of tasty offerings to suit all tastes.

3. The agricultural expo includes the following:

a) Tractor exhibitors.

b) Implement exhibitors.

c) Industrial exhibitors.

d) Motor vehicle exhibitors.

e) Motor Cycle exhibitors.

f) Various cattle exhibitors.

4. The Maclear Off Road Bike and Quad ride covers some of the most scenic routes available in the Ugie and Maclear mountains. This event has grown into one of the most sought after rides in the country. In excess of three hundred and fifty participants registered last year, some from as far afield as Port Elizabeth, Durban and Bloemfontein. Most of these participants were accompanied by their families.

h) The newly launched mountain bike challange is very well supported.

i) Various other sporting events, including tent pegging, fly fishing and golfing activities are hosted during the duration of the festival.

j) Top national performing artists provide live entertainment over the course of the weekend. To keep a cosy atmosphere going, campfires are kept burning for the whole duration of the festival.

k) Additional attractions include helicopter flips, sky-diving, abseiling, bushman painting tours, horse trails and visits to the now famous dinosaur footprints.

The management committee are therefore particularly pleased that they had managed to secure such a wide array of diverse and interesting activities.

Preparations for the 2011 Fees Zonder Naam, to be held at the Maclear Country Club over the weekend of 13 - 15 May 2011, have already started in all earnest.

During the past year, great effort has been displayed by the organizing committee in endeavoring to provide an even better and more enjoyable festival, despite the fact that FZN is already considered the leading festival in the North Eastern Cape.

The audience of the festival is drawn mainly from the villages of Maclear, Ugie and Elliot, while substantial interest has also been shown from the towns of Queenstown, Dordrecht, Indwe, Barkly East, Lady Grey and Aliwal North. Substantial advertising is also taking place in all of the above towns while local newspapers serving these areas are carrying weekly advertisements highlighting the festival, and the wide array of attractions. We remain confident that very substantial support will be received from the outlying towns referred to above, and are therefore expecting in excess of 5 000 people to visit the festival this year.

The organisers invite you to come and enjoy not only the scenic beauty of the North Eastern Cape, but also the wonderful hospitality of the very special people of this area, and the vast array of events planned for the Fees Zonder Naam festival. You really cannot afford to miss the largest and most spectacular social event in the North Eastern Cape.