A powerful day of music, fashion and community sets the stage for Mayonie’s upcoming Johannesburg edition
A celebration of music and culture
Mayonie Open Air has successfully wrapped up its KwaZulu-Natal edition, bringing together music lovers, artists, creatives and culture enthusiasts for a vibrant celebration of South African music, culture and community.
Held on 29 August 2026 at Chris Saunders Park in KwaZulu-Natal, the festival delivered a day filled with live performances, entertainment and a strong sense of community, further strengthening Mayonie’s growing presence on South Africa’s live entertainment calendar.
The event brought together established and emerging talent, with the music complemented by the fashion, energy and creativity of the audience.
For festival founder Zakes Bantwini, the KZN edition was a reflection of the vision behind Mayonie Open Air.
“Mayonie Open Air is about creating a space where South African music, culture and community can come together in a meaningful way. Seeing the energy from the audience in KZN was incredibly special and it reminded us why we created this platform in the first place. We are grateful to every artist, partner, sponsor and fan who contributed to making this edition such a success. This is only the beginning, and we are excited to take that energy to Johannesburg and build something even bigger,” said Bantwini.
Telkom backs the experience
Telecommunications company Telkom came on board as the headline sponsor, supporting the festival and helping bring the Mayonie experience to audiences in KwaZulu-Natal.
The partnership formed part of the event’s wider effort to create a platform where music, entertainment and South African culture could intersect while giving artists and creatives an opportunity to connect with audiences.
The success of the KZN event has now shifted attention to the next chapter of the festival.
L’vovo looks ahead to Johannesburg
Kwaito veteran L’vovo was among those who experienced the atmosphere at the festival and said the event demonstrated the importance of creating spaces where audiences can connect with South African artists.
“The energy at Mayonie was amazing. It was beautiful to see people coming together to celebrate South African music and artists in such a positive environment. Events like this are important because they give our artists a platform while creating experiences that people can genuinely connect with. After what we experienced in KZN, I think Johannesburg is going to be something very special, and I’m excited to see Mayonie grow from here,” said L’vovo.
Johannesburg edition on the horizon
Following the KZN success, Mayonie Open Air is preparing to take the festival to Johannesburg, with organisers promising an even bigger and more ambitious experience.
The upcoming edition is expected to build on the momentum created in KwaZulu-Natal, taking the festival to a wider audience while continuing its focus on South African music and culture.
For Mayonie, the KZN event represents more than another festival date. It is part of an expanding platform aimed at bringing artists, audiences and creatives together through shared cultural experiences.
The organisers have thanked Telkom, sponsors and partners, participating artists and DJs, production teams, media, creatives and fans for contributing to the success of the KwaZulu-Natal edition.
With Johannesburg next on the calendar, Mayonie Open Air appears set to continue growing its footprint in South Africa’s live entertainment space.
