South Africa's most exciting cultural festival is returning to Pretoria this March, offering both established artists and emerging talent a platform to showcase their work.
Mahindra Fusion Fest 2026 promises to deliver an immersive experience that celebrates the country's artistic diversity through an innovative blend of music, fashion and visual art.
Nationwide Call for Emerging Artists
At the centre of this year's festival lies an opportunity for undiscovered creatives to step into the spotlight. Mahindra has launched a nationwide competition inviting entries across music, fashion and art categories. Winners will each receive R30,000 and the prestigious opportunity to perform or display their work on the main stage alongside some of South Africa's most celebrated artists. The competition closes on 31 January 2026.
The festival's CEO, Rajesh Gupta, reflects on the success that has driven this second edition. "The response to the first edition reaffirmed that when cultures, ideas and generations come together, the impact extends far beyond a single moment," he notes.
Genre Defying Collaborations
The 2026 programme features four carefully crafted fusion performances, each designed to integrate live music with curated fashion and visual art for a truly multi-sensory experience. The final performance, All About Now, showcases the contemporary sound of amapiano through artists Zee Nxumalo, Focalistic and Daliwonga, complemented by fashion from Munkus and striking murals by Cape Town artist Bushy Wopp.
Earlier in the evening, audiences will witness Hip Hop Most High, where BLXKIE and Maglera Doe Boy join forces with the Tshwane Gospel Choir in an ambitious fusion of hip hop and spiritual music. The Bam Collective presents the fashion element, whilst award winning illustrator Ndumiso Nyoni contributes visual artworks.
Femme For All celebrates women in music, bringing together Naledi Aphiwe, Karen Zoid, Nomfundo Moh and Mariechan, with visual art from international artist Inka Kendzia.
Mahindra Fusion Fest 2026 takes place on Saturday, 7 March 2026 at SunBet Arena, Time Square, Pretoria.
Tickets start from R450 and are available through Ticketmaster: https://www.ticketmaster.co.za/event/mahindra-fusion-fest-2026-tickets/1655755712
