Durban’s Biggest Braai Weekend Comes Alive at eThekwini Shisanyama Festival

The city of Durban is set to host one
of the country’s biggest braai weekends on Saturday, 26 September
2026, as the second annual eThekwini Shisanyama Festival takes centre
stage at Berea Rovers, bringing together music, food, culture and local
entertainment.

At the heart of the festival is a high-calibre line-up led by
award-winning amapiano producer Kelvin Momo, alongside Goldmax, DJ Cndo,
Bello B, Chynaman and DJ Happygal. With Mgilane as host, the festival
brings together some of the country’s leading music talent for a
celebration that reflects Durban’s vibrant cultural and entertainment
landscape.

Safety remains a key priority for this year’s festival, with increased
security capacity to create a secure environment for everyone attending,
with particular attention to the safety and wellbeing of women. The
increased measures come at a time when the country continues to confront
the devastating reality of violence against women, making safe public
spaces an important part of the festival experience.

“We want people to come together, celebrate and create memories
without fear. Every person attending deserves to feel safe, respected
and protected, and at a time when so many women are living with the
reality of violence and fear, we believe creating safer spaces is not
simply a responsibility — it is a commitment to the people who trust
us to host them,” says festival founder Lunga Mkhize

The festival will also feature an expanded selection of local food
vendors, with greater emphasis on catering to different cultural,
religious and dietary requirements. Following conversations around the
food offering at last year’s event, selected vendors will provide
Halaal meat, while others will offer pork or beef alternatives. A
broader selection of vendors will offer varied food options, ensuring
that the culinary experience reflects the diversity of the people
attending.

“A _shisanyama _is fundamentally about community and gathering around
food. We listened to what people told us after the first edition and
wanted this year’s offering to better reflect the diversity of our
audience. Everyone should be able to find something they can enjoy and
feel considered,” Mkhize adds.

With weather also a consideration for an outdoor event, organisers are
monitoring conditions closely in the lead-up to the festival. Current
forecasts indicate a relatively low likelihood of rainfall, although
conditions will continue to be monitored as the weekend approaches.

For its second edition, the eThekwini Shisanyama Festival builds on the
communal spirit of its inaugural event while placing greater emphasis on
safety, inclusivity and the experience of the people who attend.

The eThekwini Shisanyama Festival takes place on Saturday, 26 September
2026, at Berea Rovers, 73 Jackson Jackson Drive, Durban.

Tickets are available at:
https://www.howler.co.za/events/ethekwini-shisanyama-festival-cef5