Ugu Jazz Festival Returns Amid High Expectations as Officials Declare Full Readiness
PORT SHEPSTONE, KwaZulu-Natal — After a period of uncertainty and anticipation, the Ugu Jazz Festival is officially back on the calendar, with organisers and government officials insisting there is no turning back.
At a press briefing held in Scottburgh on Monday evening, organisers delivered a firm message: preparations are complete, systems are in place, and the festival is ready to welcome thousands of attendees.
The event will run from 25 to 27 June at the Ugu Sports and Leisure Centre in Port Shepstone, a venue expected to once again become the centre of music, culture and economic activity in the region.
“Everything is in place”: organisers push confidence ahead of opening night
Festival organiser Siya Msomi of Coolsounds Trading said there was no doubt about the readiness of the event, urging the public to secure tickets early and avoid last-minute disappointment.
He said planning had reached every layer of the operation, from sponsorship agreements to the detailed scheduling of performances across all three days.
“We called this press briefing because we felt it was important to continue updating the public that preparations are going exceptionally well and all arrangements are securely in place,” Msomi said.
He added that the return of the festival had been met with strong public interest, interpreting it as proof that demand for the event remains high despite its break from the calendar.
“There is no reason for doubt. The festival is back and it will be just like it was in the beginning,” he said.
Government steps in with strong backing
The return of the festival has also drawn firm political support.
The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Sports, Arts and Culture, Mntomuhle Khawula, described the event as a vital cultural platform that must be protected and sustained.
He stressed its importance not only as entertainment but as a vehicle for economic activity and provincial branding.
“This is an event that must never disappear from the public eye,” Khawula said.
He added that the festival would help circulate money within the local economy while also positioning the region as a cultural destination that attracts visitors from across South Africa.
Municipality moves to prevent logistical strain
Ugu Municipality Mayor Sikhumbuzo Mqadi confirmed that key logistical challenges, often associated with large-scale events, had already been addressed in coordination with stakeholders.
These include accommodation capacity, traffic flow management and town cleanliness during the festival period.
Officials say these measures are intended to prevent the congestion and operational strain that have previously accompanied major public gatherings in the area.
Three days of music, worship and comedy
The festival programme has been designed as a multi-layered cultural experience stretching beyond traditional jazz performances.
The opening night will feature a gala dinner combined with a comedy showcase, alongside performances from artists such as Mondli Ngcobo and Zawadi Yamungu.
Comedy performances will include acts by Simphiwe Shembe, Simunye Churchboy, Mondli Mzizi and Nonto R, setting a lighter tone for the opening of the festival.
The second day will host the Offramp Experience, including a Worship Experience featuring performers such as Nontokozo Mkhize, Mpumi Mtsweni, Sgwili, Mthokozisi Nkosi, Nkanyiso, Shongwe and Khuphuka, Jumbo and Malusi Mbokazi.
The final day will shift firmly into jazz territory with a headline lineup that includes veteran musician Don Laka, Siphokazi, Ernie Smith, Naledi Aphiwe, Mnqobi Yazo, Mawelele, Danya, Bongani Nkwanyana, Olefied Khetha, DJ 101, DJ Muntu Jikeleza, Fanie Dick, Tender Mavundla and DJ Mshedi.
Economic hopes tied to ticket sales
Tickets for the festival are already on sale through Spar, Pick n Pay, Boxer and Ticketpro, with prices ranging from R200 to R250.
Organisers are banking on strong attendance to support not only the festival’s sustainability but also the wider local economy, including hospitality, transport and informal traders.
For residents and businesses in Port Shepstone, the festival’s return carries expectations that extend beyond music. It is also a test of whether the region can once again host large-scale cultural events without disruption.
A festival under pressure to deliver
After its hiatus, the Ugu Jazz Festival returns carrying both excitement and scrutiny.
For organisers, the promise is simple but demanding: consistency, reliability and a return to form.
For government, it is an opportunity to prove that cultural events can be sustained as economic drivers.
And for audiences, it is a long-awaited return to a festival that once defined the region’s cultural calendar.
As June 25 approaches, the message from all stakeholders is unified: the stage is set, the artists are booked, and the countdown has officially begun.
