Kelvin Momo Headlines the Return of eThekwini Shisanyama Festival in Durban
Last updated: 23 September 2026
Durban is getting ready for a weekend built around Amapiano, braai culture and KwaZulu-Natal’s shisanyama scene, with the eThekwini Shisanyama Festival returning for its second edition on Saturday, 26 September 2026.
This year’s festival brings Kelvin Momo to the headline spot at Berea Rovers, alongside Goldmax, DJ Cndo, Bello B, Chynaman and DJ Happygal, with Mgilane hosting.
But the festival is about more than a major music lineup.
At its core, eThekwini Shisanyama is an attempt to put the businesses, food culture and entrepreneurial energy behind South Africa’s shisanyama scene on a much bigger stage.
Kelvin Momo Headlines the Durban Festival
Kelvin Momo will headline the second edition of the eThekwini Shisanyama Festival, bringing one of Amapiano’s most recognisable sounds to a Durban event centred on food, music and community.
He will be joined by Goldmax, DJ Cndo, Bello B, Chynaman and DJ Happygal, giving the festival a lineup that connects Amapiano with Durban’s broader dance and entertainment culture.
For festivalgoers, the music provides one of the major attractions, but the experience is designed to extend beyond the stage.
Food vendors, shisanyama businesses and local entrepreneurs will form a major part of the festival environment.
Why eThekwini Shisanyama Festival Was Created
The festival was founded by Lunga Mkhize, owner of Metro Gents Shisanyama in Umlazi.
Mkhize says the idea was influenced by the late Jabulani “Mjay” Zama, the founder of Eyadini Lounge, whose business became an example of how a township food business could develop into a major entertainment destination.
For Mkhize, that legacy is about showing what can happen when businesses built around township food culture receive greater visibility.
“Mjay showed us that a shisanyama could become much more than a place to eat.”
That thinking is central to the festival.
Rather than treating shisanyama simply as a food category, the event presents it as part of a wider social and cultural experience — one that can bring together food, music, entrepreneurship and entertainment.
Putting KwaZulu-Natal’s Shisanyama Businesses on a Bigger Stage
One of the biggest elements of this year’s festival will be the food offering.
Independent meat vendors from across KwaZulu-Natal are expected to participate, giving businesses an opportunity to introduce their products to a much larger audience.
Many shisanyama businesses begin on a relatively small scale before developing permanent premises and broader customer bases. The festival aims to create another point of exposure for entrepreneurs operating within that ecosystem.
That makes the event particularly relevant beyond the entertainment industry.
For the participating businesses, the festival is also a chance to meet customers, build visibility and potentially establish new commercial relationships.
A Festival Built Around the Braai
The timing of the event is deliberate.
Taking place during Heritage Month, the festival uses food as one of its central ways of bringing different communities together.
South Africa’s braai culture crosses cultural and social boundaries, from pap and vleis and boerewors to lamb, chakalaka and braaibroodjies.
For Mkhize, that shared experience is part of what the festival is trying to celebrate.
“Heritage is expressed in many ways, but food is one of the few things that naturally brings people together.”
The result is an event that sits somewhere between a music festival, a food experience and a celebration of South African social culture.
Food Inclusivity Is a Bigger Focus in 2026
Organisers have also responded to feedback from the first edition by expanding the food offering.
Selected vendors will provide Halaal meat, while other vendors will offer pork or beef options. The broader vendor mix is intended to accommodate different cultural, religious and dietary preferences among festivalgoers.
That is an important part of this year’s event because the festival’s identity is built around bringing different communities together.
“A shisanyama is fundamentally about community and gathering around food.”
The organisers say they wanted this year’s food offering to better reflect the diversity of the people attending.
Safety Takes Centre Stage
Safety is another major focus for the second edition.
Organisers have increased security capacity and are placing particular attention on the safety and wellbeing of women attending the festival.
The emphasis comes against the broader backdrop of South Africa’s ongoing struggle with violence against women, making the creation of safer public entertainment spaces an important consideration for event organisers.
Mkhize says the goal is for people to be able to attend, celebrate and create memories in an environment where they feel protected and respected.
What to Expect at eThekwini Shisanyama Festival
The second edition brings together:
- Kelvin Momo
- Goldmax
- DJ Cndo
- Bello B
- Chynaman
- DJ Happygal
- Mgilane as host
- Local shisanyama and meat vendors
- KwaZulu-Natal food culture
- Heritage Month celebrations
- Expanded food options
- Increased security measures
- A full day of music, food and entertainment
The combination is designed to make the festival as much about the overall experience as the performances themselves.
eThekwini Shisanyama Festival 2026: Date, Venue and Tickets
Event: eThekwini Shisanyama Festival
Date: Saturday, 26 September 2026
Venue: Berea Rovers
Address: 73 Jacko Jackson Drive, Durban
Age restriction: No under-18s
Tickets: Available through Howler
The current Howler listing provides the latest ticketing and event information.
Tickets: Get tickets via Howler
Why eThekwini Shisanyama Festival Matters
There is something significant about the way the festival brings together two of South Africa’s strongest cultural forces: music and food.
The shisanyama has become part of the social fabric of township entertainment, while Amapiano has become one of the defining sounds of contemporary South African popular culture.
Putting the two together makes sense.
Kelvin Momo’s headline performance gives the festival a major music draw, while the vendors and entrepreneurs give it a distinctly local identity.
And that may ultimately be what makes the eThekwini Shisanyama Festival different from a conventional music event.
The stage brings people in.
The food, culture and community give them a reason to stay.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the eThekwini Shisanyama Festival?
The eThekwini Shisanyama Festival takes place on Saturday, 26 September 2026, during South Africa’s Heritage Month.
Where is the eThekwini Shisanyama Festival?
The festival takes place at Berea Rovers, 73 Jacko Jackson Drive, Durban.
Who is headlining the eThekwini Shisanyama Festival?
Kelvin Momo is headlining the 2026 edition.
Who else is performing?
The announced lineup includes Goldmax, DJ Cndo, Bello B, Chynaman and DJ Happygal, with Mgilane serving as host.
Will there be food vendors?
Yes. The festival will feature local meat and shisanyama vendors from KwaZulu-Natal, with an expanded food offering for the 2026 edition.
Will Halaal food be available?
Organisers have confirmed that selected vendors will offer Halaal meat, alongside vendors offering other meat options.
Is the festival suitable for children?
The current ticket listing states that the event is no under-18s.
Where can I buy tickets?
Tickets are available through Howler.
