eThekwini Shisanyama Festival in Durban, South Africa, Returns 26 September
SOUTH AFRICA · DURBAN · EXPATS
Key Facts
- —What it is A one-day township braai and music festival, now in its second edition, celebrating Durban’s shisanyama culture.
- —When and where Saturday 26 September 2026, from 12pm to midnight, at Berea Rovers, 73 Jacko Jackson Drive, Durban.
- —What it costs Tickets start from R180 (about US$11), sold online through the Howler ticketing platform.
- —Why it matters It closes Heritage Month by putting township grill-house owners and local food businesses centre stage.
- —The catch It is strictly over-18, cooler boxes and bottles are banned, and supporting acts remain unannounced.
The eThekwini Shisanyama Festival returns for a second edition on Saturday 26 September 2026 at Berea Rovers in Durban, with Kelvin Momo headlining.
The eThekwini Shisanyama Festival returns to Durban, South Africa, on Saturday 26 September 2026, with amapiano star Kelvin Momo as headliner. Gates open at 12pm at Berea Rovers, and tickets start from R180 (about US$11) at 19 September 2026 rates.
What the eThekwini Shisanyama Festival is
The festival brings shisanyama vendors from across KwaZulu-Natal to one site for an afternoon and evening of grilled meat and music. It is the second edition of an event that started in 2025.
The founder is Lunga Mkhize, who owns Metro Gents Shisanyama in Umlazi, one of Durban’s largest townships. He launched this year’s edition at a media event in Umhlanga on 30 July 2026.
Mkhize says the idea was inspired by the late Jabulani “Mjay” Zama, founder of Eyadini Lounge in Umlazi. Zama showed that a township grill house could become a business and a social landmark.
The stated aim is economic as much as cultural. Organisers say the festival should bring customers and income to small food businesses, and create short-term jobs around the event.
Why a shisanyama matters in Durban
A shisanyama is a butchery or grill spot where you choose raw meat, have it cooked on open coals and eat on site. The Zulu word roughly means “burn the meat”.
Side dishes usually include pap, a stiff maize porridge, and chakalaka, a spicy vegetable relish. Music, often amapiano, is part of the experience, and a visit can easily last all afternoon.
For many South Africans, these places are where friends meet on weekends. They also give work to butchers, cooks, DJs and car guards in township economies.
Who is playing
Kelvin Momo is one of the best-known names in amapiano, the South African house-music style that has spread worldwide since around 2019. He is known for a slower, soulful and jazz-influenced sound.
The organisers have named him as headliner but have not yet published a full line-up or set times. Local DJs and live performances are promised, alongside food and craft vendors.
Amapiano sets tend to build slowly through the evening, so the headliner is likely to play late. If he is your main reason to go, plan to stay into the night rather than leave at sunset.
Heritage Month context
September is Heritage Month in South Africa, and Heritage Day falls on Thursday 24 September. Many South Africans mark the day with a braai, which is why it is often called Braai Day.
The festival lands on the Saturday after the public holiday, so expect a busy long-weekend mood across Durban. Mkhize has framed the event as a way to celebrate food as something that brings communities together.
Durban itself is a natural home for the event. It is KwaZulu-Natal’s largest city, and its townships, from Umlazi to KwaMashu, have a long grill-house tradition.
Getting there and what to bring
Berea Rovers is a sports club on Jacko Jackson Drive, beside the Kings Park stadium precinct. It is a short drive north of the city centre, not within walking distance of most beachfront hotels.
Uber and Bolt both operate in Durban and are the simplest option, especially for the late finish. The ticket page says parking is available on site if you drive.
The venue rules are strict: no under-18s, and no bottles, cooler boxes, weapons, hubbly pipes, umbrellas or gazebos. Bring sun protection, because late-September afternoons in Durban are often warm and humid.
Tickets and money
Tickets are sold on Howler, a widely used South African ticketing platform. Entry starts from R180 (about US$11); the organiser has not published the full list of ticket tiers in detail.
Buy only through the official Howler page rather than from resellers on social media. Carry a bank card and some cash in rand, since smaller food stalls may prefer cash.
Food and drinks are paid for separately on the day, so budget beyond the entry price. Prices at shisanyama stalls are usually modest by international standards, and at many grill spots meat is sold by weight.
What it means for expats and visitors
For foreigners in Durban, a shisanyama is one of the easiest ways to meet locals and hear the city’s music outside the tourist strip. A festival gathers many vendors in one place, which helps if you do not know the townships yet.
The event runs until midnight, so plan your ride home in advance and keep your phone charged. Check the organiser’s social media in the final days for set times and any late changes.
If you enjoy it, ask vendors where their own grill houses are. Many run every weekend, and a return visit on an ordinary Saturday shows the everyday side of the culture.
Connected Coverage
The SADC UniVisa Has Been Approved. You Still Cannot Buy One
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the eThekwini Shisanyama Festival 2026?
It takes place on Saturday 26 September 2026 at Berea Rovers, 73 Jacko Jackson Drive, Durban. Gates open at 12pm and the event runs until midnight.
How much do tickets cost?
Tickets start from R180 (about US$11 at 19 September 2026 rates). They are sold online through Howler.
Who is headlining?
Amapiano producer and DJ Kelvin Momo is the headline act. The organisers have not yet published the full supporting line-up or set times.
Can I bring children or my own drinks?
No. The event is strictly for over-18s, and bottles and cooler boxes are not allowed. Umbrellas, gazebos and hubbly pipes are also banned.
Sources: Event details are drawn from the official Howler ticket page, with further reporting by Time Out Durban, IOL and Briefly News.
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error
Read More from The Rio Times