The acclaimed South African afro-pop duo Mafikizolo will headline the music program at the Durban Street Food Festival. This festival will run throughout the weekend and celebrates the city's diverse culinary heritage, crafts, and music, taking place at the Pavilion Shopping Centre.
Mafikizolo consists of vocalist Nlankhli Nsiza and composer Theo Kgosinkwe. The group was formed in 1996, and their music blends elements of kwaitu, afro-soul, and house, creating a unique sound that has won the hearts of listeners across the continent.
Saturday begins at noon with a performance by Zoe Wright, a teacher, singer, and guitarist from Durban. This will be followed by a traditional Maskandi crossover act by uJomba, and then at 2:00 PM, Impul$e and The RnBhincas will perform soft deep soul. At 3:00 PM, DJ Cait will have a live set, after which the local rock, punk rock, RnB, and pop band Wah Wah Baby will take the stage at 4:00 PM.
From 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, the music program will pause so that spectators can watch a rugby game on the big screen. After the match, three artists will perform: DJ Muzi (Muzivakhe Makvitor Mazibuko), a singer, songwriter, and electronic music producer; he will be joined on stage by his long-time colleagues—saxophonist, pianist, and producer Tim Lewis, as well as pianist, guitarist, and singer Matt Davis. The evening will conclude with a performance by Soft.
Sunday, September 6th, opens at noon with a performance by multi-genre DJ Thegranddukeraw, hailing from Pmb. Next up is acoustic trio and local residents from Marienburg, Many Moore. At 2:00 PM, the young band The Neighbours, performing covers and live music, will play. At 3:00 PM, hip-hop DJ Heazy (Siyabonga Madida) will perform, followed by hip-hop queen Lex LaFoy and her group at 4:00 PM. At 5:00 PM, Tristan Cole Boltman, who recently moved to Jozi and is one of the outstanding exports from Bluff, will perform; his latest single 'Think About It' spent over 20 weeks in the East Coast Radio Top 40 and reached number one. At 6:00 PM, the evening shift will kick off with DJ Sanks. Mafikizolo will perform at 7:00 PM, and at 8:00 PM, DJ Tarriq Sewps, specializing in deep and afro-house, will take his usual spot.
This celebration of food, culture, and music brings together over 75 vendors selling food, crafts, and lifestyle goods. The festival is a vibrant showcase of Durban's culinary diversity, offering dishes ranging from appetizing African braais and aromatic Indian curries to delightful Asian street food and artisanal treats. Dave Guselly will host the event throughout the weekend.