Grammy nominee for R&B, Tyrese Gibson, will perform in South Africa for the first time, headlining the closing night of the Ndlala Grandeur II event, which will take place at the Ndlala arena in Pretoria on August 23, 2026. He will join a host of other R&B legends.
After previously expressing a desire to visit South Africa, Tyrese Gibson is officially arriving in Mzansi. He will be the headliner for the final day of Ndlala Grandeur II, bringing one of R&B's most recognizable voices to South African soil.
For fans who have long awaited this moment, the dream has finally come true. Tyrese's arrival is part of a three-day celebration of R&B royalty, which will also feature artists such as RL, Mýa, Zonke Dikana, Ginuwine, Case, and Vusi Nova throughout the weekend.
Despite Sunday being his day, the singer, actor, writer, and producer has spent over 25 years building a career that has made him famous on both musical and Hollywood stages. Before his roles in the films 'Fast & Furious' and 'Transformers' made him a global movie star, Tyrese won the hearts of R&B lovers with his music.
His debut platinum album, along with albums like '2000 Watts,' 'I Wanna Go There,' and 'Black Rose,' cemented his place in the genre. Furthermore, his participation in the R&B supergroup TGT with Ginuwine and Tank strengthened his musical legacy. Now, South African fans will be able to see this entire catalog live.
Tyrese's performance as part of Ndlala Grandeur II will conclude the three-day event, promising an evening filled with nostalgia, powerful vocals, and those R&B moments that have accompanied generations. The timing also seems particularly fitting, as Tyrese will share the weekend with R&B heavyweights like Ginuwine and Case, giving fans a full weekend to relive the genre's most memorable eras.
Ndlala Grandeur II positions itself as more than just a concert; it is a joint event of international stars and South African talents for the elevated celebration of R&B and soul. The Ndlala Grandeur II event will run from August 21 to August 23, 2026, at the Ndlala arena in Pretoria, with Tyrese performing as the headliner on Sunday, August 23.
R&B genre enthusiasts are preparing for another nostalgic music event as part of Women's Month, with Ginuwine, Grammy winner Mýa, and RL set to perform at the second Ndlala Grandeur event, which will take place at Ndlala Arena in Pretoria.
The concert, scheduled for two evenings, will be held on August 21st and 22nd, bringing together some of the most renowned artists in international and South African R&B.
This announcement marks another significant step for Ndlala Arena, which began its operation as a live entertainment venue last year, hosting American R&B star Joe Thomas during the grand opening of Ndlala Mall. Following Thomas's performance, Donnell Jones played on the second evening, helping to establish the Pretoria venue's status as a hub for live R&B performances.
Ndlala Arena now aims to build on this momentum by presenting an even larger lineup of artists.
Ginuwine will take center stage on Saturday, August 22nd, as one of the defining voices of R&B from the 1990s and 2000s. Born Elgin Baylor Lumpkin, Ginuwine gained fame through his collaboration with legendary producer Timbaland and became known for several enduring hits, including 'Pony,' 'So Anxious,' 'Differences,' 'In Those Jeans,' and 'Same Ol' G.'
Throughout his career spanning over three decades, the singer has maintained popularity among the R&B audience, and his participation in the supergroup TGT alongside Tank and Tyris further solidified his position in the genre. His upcoming performance in Pretoria will give South African fans the chance to hear his most famous songs live, while adding another major international name to Ndlala Arena's growing concert calendar.
Before Ginuwine takes the stage, the Friday concert will feature two international R&B favorites. Mýa will perform alongside RL, the lead vocalist of the multifaceted R&B collective NEXT. Mýa achieved international fame with hits such as 'Case of the Ex,' 'It's All About Me,' 'My Love Is Like... Wo,' and 'Free.' She also participated in the Grammy-winning collaborative project 'Lady Marmalade' with Christina Aguilera, Lil Kim, and Pink.
For RL, the performance in Pretoria will be an opportunity to refresh the catalog that made NEXT a force in late 1990s and early 2000s R&B, including tracks like 'Too Close,' 'Wifey,' 'Butta Love,' and 'I Still Love You.' The Friday lineup will also include South African Afro-soul star Zonke Dicka, adding a local voice to the international R&B showcase.
The Ndlala Grandeur II event takes place a year after Ndlala Arena first entered the conversation about live entertainment by hosting its initial concerts. The venue is part of a redevelopment project of the former Sterland Mall in Arcadia, Pretoria, being executed by businessman Thami Ndlela. When plans for the facility's upgrade were first presented, the arena was one of the planned entertainment and lifestyle additions to the complex.
The initial concerts demonstrated the venue's ambition to attract recognized international R&B performers to Pretoria, and this latest announcement confirms that it is becoming a key part of its identity. With the participation of Ginuwine, Mýa, RL, and Zonke, Ndlala Grandeur II positions itself as a celebration of R&B's enduring appeal, marking Women's Month with two nights of live music. Tickets for Ndlala Grandeur II are available on the Ndlala Arena website.
