Kwaito artist Mdu Masilela and the late Mandoza

Philani Mzila — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 22:33:29 +0000

It’s all systems go for the first Nkalakatha Festival.

The Nkalakatha Festival is inspired by the late Mandoza’s iconic anthem called Nkalakatha which was released in the early 2000.

The event is aimed to celebrate the song that transcended time and culture, uniting the nation through music, movement, and meaning.

Nkalakatha Fest’25 announced the explosive line-up for its upcoming festival scheduled to take place in Nasrec Expo Centre on the 20th of December.

The Festival will host giants of Kwaito and a combination of other genres with a dash of Amapiano to keep the crowds entertained.

“It will be a festival of food, drinks and music that will take us back to who we are, as a symbol to honour a legend whose song that united South Africans and continues to do so.

“Nkalakatha Fest isn’t just about entertainment; it’s about celebrating who we are as South Africans, resilience, powerful, and united,” said Media Manager Prescilla Malinga.

The line -up will feature Mdu Masilela, Chomee, Lady Du, Trompies, Boom Shaka, Mgarimbe, Mbali Ngidi, Arthur Mafokate, Professor, Sbu Malawyer, Pitch Black Afro, Bongo Maffin, Rethabile Khumalo, DJ Christos, Toss, Nkalakatha boyz, Squatter Camp, Mzambia, Busiswa, Alaska, Nkiyase, Ralf Gum. Mafikizolo, and Dashline.

“The line -up was intentional as most of the artists on the line up at some point worked with Mandoza. The festival will feature a multi-genre lineup across Kwaito, Gqom, Amapiano, Rock, and Gospel, with special tribute performances honouring Mandoza’s legacy. At the heart of the event is the Nkalakatha Village, an immersive space filled with South African cuisine, art, storytelling, exclusive merchandise, and interactive brand experiences.

“A portion of proceeds will go towards the Nkalakatha Bursary Fund, empowering young South Africans through education and opportunity.

Nkalakatha Fest’25 marks the beginning of an annual movement, one that merges music, culture, and social impact under the spirit of unity,” she said.

Tickets are available at Webtickets, pick n’ Pay and Boxer and prices range from R350 to R1860.

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Joburg Gears Up for Historic G20 Summit Despite Notable Leader Absences

Tshepiso Mofokeng — Sat, 15 Nov 2025 05:42:19 +0000

Johannesburg is preparing to host one of the biggest global gatherings in its history as the G20 Leaders Summit arrives on African soil for the first time. The event will take place this weekend at the Nasrec Expo Centre, with more than 60 heads of state and senior officials expected to attend.

The summit will unfold under the theme “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability”, showcasing South Africa’s ambition to spotlight urgent global issues such as climate finance, food security, fair economic growth, and reform of international financial systems.

But the excitement has been tempered by a number of high-profile withdrawals. US President Donald Trump will not attend, having recently taken a harder line on US–South Africa relations. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russia’s Vladimir Putin have also opted out, and Argentina’s President Javier Milei is the latest to skip the meeting.

Still, the list of confirmed attendees remains significant. President Cyril Ramaphosa will host leaders including Germany’s Olaf Scholz, France’s Emmanuel Macron, the UK’s Keir Starmer, India’s Narendra Modi, Japan’s Shigeru Ishiba, and South Korea’s Yoon Suk Yeol. Brazil’s Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Indonesia’s Prabowo Subianto, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney are also expected.

African Union representatives, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, and heads of institutions such as the IMF and the European Commission will join the discussions.

The G20, which includes 19 major economies along with the EU and the African Union, accounts for more than 85% of global GDP and most of the world’s population. This year’s summit comes at a volatile moment, with conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East reshaping geopolitics, a fractured global trade environment, and extreme climate events hitting vulnerable countries hardest.

In the lead-up to the gathering, South Africa has hosted more than 130 meetings across two major streams:

The Sherpa Track, which focuses on socioeconomic issues

The Finance Track, led by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana and Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago, which addresses financial reforms, climate funding, debt challenges, and the future of cross-border payments

Business leaders from around the world have also been meeting under the Business 20 (B20) umbrella to craft recommendations that will guide discussions on trade, technology, and sustainability.

Johannesburg has been working around the clock to prepare for the influx of delegates and media. Key roads, traffic systems, and water and power infrastructure have been upgraded. Road closures and lane restrictions are expected around major routes such as the M1, Nasrec Road, and the Golden Highway. Security around OR Tambo International Airport has also been tightened, with officials warning of possible delays caused by increased movement.

Despite some major absences, South Africa insists the summit will produce meaningful global partnerships and highlight the continent’s role in shaping future economic and political priorities.

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Nasrec Expo Centre Archives - MDNtv

Kwaito artist Mdu Masilela and the late Mandoza

Visit MDNtv YouTube Channel for our video content

Joburg Gears Up for Historic G20 Summit Despite Notable Leader Absences

Visit MDNtv YouTube Channel for our video content