eThekwini Shisanyama Festival

The eThekwini Shisanyama Festival is a vibrant one-day event held at Berea Rovers in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Scheduled for Saturday, September 26, 2026, the festival marks its second edition, aiming to bring together food entrepreneurs, music lovers, and communities to celebrate authentic South African cuisine, culture, and music.

The festival highlights the growing influence of township food culture and the vital role of independent shisanyamas in job creation, attracting visitors, and boosting the local economy. It draws inspiration from the late Jabulani ‘Mjay’ Zama, founder of the iconic Eyadini Lounge, who demonstrated the potential of shisanyamas to become significant cultural and economic destinations. The event strives to continue this legacy by providing a platform for emerging businesses and talented local vendors to showcase their products to a wider audience.

Attendees can expect performances by Amapiano heavyweight Kelvin Momo, alongside a diverse array of local meat vendors from across KwaZulu-Natal, many of whom are small, independently owned businesses. The festival's timing during Heritage Month is deliberate, recognizing food, particularly the braai, as a universal element that unites people across different cultures and traditions. By supporting local vendors, the festival aims to foster economic activity, create employment opportunities, and help small businesses thrive.