Mayonie Open Air has successfully wrapped up its KwaZulu-Natal edition, bringing music lovers, artists and creatives together for a vibrant celebration of South African music, culture and community.
A Celebration of Music and Culture in KZN
Held on 29 August 2026 at Chris Saunders Park in KwaZulu-Natal, Mayonie Open Air delivered an energetic day of live entertainment, music and shared cultural experiences.
The festival brought together established and emerging talent while creating a space where audiences could experience different facets of contemporary South African culture.
Beyond the performances, fashion, lifestyle and the energy of the crowd formed an important part of the Mayonie experience, further establishing the festival as a growing fixture on South Africa’s live entertainment calendar.
Zakes Bantwini Celebrates the Mayonie Community
Founded by award-winning musician and producer Zakes Bantwini, Mayonie Open Air was created as a platform where music, culture and community intersect.
Reflecting on the successful KZN edition, Bantwini said the response from festivalgoers reinforced the vision behind the platform.
“Mayonie Open Air is about creating a space where South African music, culture and community can come together in a meaningful way. Seeing the energy from the audience in KZN was incredibly special and it reminded us why we created this platform in the first place,” said Bantwini.
“We are grateful to every artist, partner, sponsor and fan who contributed to making this edition such a success. This is only the beginning, and we are excited to take that energy to Johannesburg and build something even bigger.”
L’vovo Praises the Energy at Mayonie
Durban music heavyweight L’vovo was equally encouraged by the atmosphere and response to the festival, highlighting the importance of events that create opportunities for South African artists while giving audiences memorable experiences.
“The energy at Mayonie was amazing. It was beautiful to see people coming together to celebrate South African music and artists in such a positive environment,” said L’vovo.
“Events like this are important because they give our artists a platform while creating experiences that people can genuinely connect with. After what we experienced in KZN, I think Johannesburg is going to be something very special, and I’m excited to see Mayonie grow from here.”
Telkom Partnership Powers KZN Edition
The KZN edition was supported by Telkom as headline sponsor, with the partnership playing an important role in bringing the Mayonie Open Air experience to audiences.
Organisers also acknowledged the contribution of the festival’s sponsors, partners, participating artists, DJs, production teams, media and creatives who worked behind the scenes to deliver the event.
Most importantly, appreciation was extended to the fans who turned up and helped create the atmosphere that defined the KZN edition.
Johannesburg Is Next
With KwaZulu-Natal successfully completed, attention now shifts to Johannesburg as Mayonie Open Air prepares for its next chapter.
Organisers are promising a bigger, bolder and more ambitious edition, building on the momentum generated in KZN and introducing the Mayonie experience to an even wider audience.
The success of the 29 August gathering has set the tone for the festival’s expansion, with anticipation now building around what Mayonie Open Air will bring to Johannesburg.
For Bantwini and the team behind the festival, however, KZN was only the beginning.
