Rocking the Vaal 2026 will be attempting to break two Guiness World records on 11 April – the most pancakes ever made and the biggest pot of chili con carne at 3 000kg.

• Rocking the Vaal 2026 will attempt to break two Guinness World Records on 11 April at Emerald Resort and Casino – the most pancakes ever made and the biggest pot of chili con carne at 3 000kg.
• Festival attendees will receive meals made from the “world record” food, with all remaining meals donated to charities through Rotary International as part of the 100% non-profit event.
• Residents and local businesses will participate by purchasing stalls to help break the records, with businesses sponsoring the event, despite recent challenges, including a seven-week power outage in the area.

The organisers of Rocking the Vaal are preparing to break two Guinness World Records at the 2026 festival – the most pancakes ever made and the biggest pot of chili con carne, weighing 3 000kg.

The 100% non-profit festival, which will take place on 11 April at Emerald Resort and Casino, has broken world records since its establishment in 2024, with organisers saying they wanted to “place the Vaal on the map”.

Previous records set at the festival include the longest crocheted scarf, the biggest potjie, and the longest continuous kebab.

SEE | It’s Good News Day! Here are 10 stories to give you the April Feels

Community at the heart

Marinda Human, the marketing manager at Emerald Resort and Casino and one of the festival organisers, said the event had two key objectives: to bring the community together and give back to its members.

In collaboration with Rotary International, which liaises with charities, the organisers hope to make a bigger impact in the community.

Human said residents broke the records themselves by purchasing stalls, volunteering their time and attending the festival.

“For example, for the pancakes we sell a stall of 20 people to businesses, churches, communities, schools, social groups – anyone who is interested.”

Residents make pancakes and choose a charity to which they would like them to donate.

“Everyone who attends the festival gets a meal, which is made up of the world records. And then every meal that remains is then handed out to charities. So this year people will get pancakes with the chili con carne,” Human said.

“It’s all about giving something back to the community and getting the community involved, which is why every record requires the community’s involvement.”

Small business support

The festival was started to showcase that the Vaal was more than just an industrial region and to highlight “businesses that are world-class”.

Local businesses could participate through major or minor sponsorships, with stall owners able to display their branding and gain exposure to the Vaal Triangle and greater Gauteng, Human said.

READ | ‘Marmite man’ tries to break another world record... this time with 6 000 ribbons for cancer

Jaco Verwey, one of the festival organisers from the Golden Triangle Chamber of Commerce, added that witnessing the openness and generosity of business owners, despite a seven-week power outage in the area, had been a highlight.

“I have spoken to a business owner who in these past seven weeks has spent more than R600 000 on diesel to keep his business afloat, but he is still willing to sponsor some of the dry goods that come in the biggest pot of chili con carne,” he said.

When Verwey needed to organise transport for 2 000 elderly people to the festival, it took him three calls to get 30 minibuses sponsored for the day.

“People are just willing to help, and that makes it special,” he said.

The festival promises family-friendly entertainment with performances from some of South Africa’s biggest artists and activities for children.

If you have a good news story to tell, email feelgood@news24.com.