Mahindra South Africa has kicked off the countdown to the second edition of Fusion Fest, confirming that the event will return on 7 March 2026 at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria. The announcement marks the revival of a festival that earned wide acclaim after its debut, praised for its fearless blend of music, art and fashion that captured the country’s creative energy.
Rajesh Gupta, the chief executive of Mahindra South Africa, said the festival reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to youth and cultural innovation. He described Fusion Fest as a stage that brings people together through shared imagination and community spirit, adding that next year’s edition will build on the excitement generated by the first. He said the response from audiences encouraged the team to create an even more ambitious programme.
Fusion Fest 2026 will continue with its signature format of four fusion performances, each designed to bring together artists who normally inhabit different musical worlds. The festival’s curators have promised moments shaped by unexpected partnerships and a focus on the diversity of the South African sound.
Zoe Modiga will present a musical story that begins with the year of her birth in 1994, mapping her own journey through a landscape shaped by artists such as Mafikizolo, Kurt Darren and Claire Johnston. Her set will trace a rhythm that mirrors a generation raised in a period of hope and cultural transformation.
Rap artists BLXKIE and Maglera Doe Boy will join the Tshwane Gospel Choir for a performance that moves between raw street narrative and spiritual celebration, bringing together two distinct forms of expression that often meet in everyday life. The collaboration is expected to produce one of the most emotional performances of the night.
A collective featuring Naledi Aphiwe, Karen Zoid, Nomfundo Moh and Mariechan will revisit the songs that have shaped different eras of South African pop. Their set will explore the emotional range of familiar hits, offering a journey that moves from quiet reflection to full voiced celebration.
Zee Nxumalo, Focalistic and Daliwonga will close the fusion series with a performance that blends amapiano, vocal storytelling and contemporary youth culture. Their collaboration is framed as a statement about the present moment and the creative force of young South Africans.
Mahindra has already begun building momentum for the festival with a national roadshow, which opened at the University of Cape Town last month. The next stop will be Durban’s Beach Marine Parade this December, where audiences will be given a preview of what to expect in March.
Tickets for Fusion Fest 2026 are now on sale through Ticketmaster, with prices starting at R450.
