Johannesburg

Sounds of Soweto: The lineup at Makhelwane Festival 2025

05 Dec 2025
Makhelwane Festival 2025 is back! Happening on Fri, Dec 12 – Sun, Dec 14, 2025 at Poka Street, Orlando West, this annual highlight is the ultimate celebration of Soweto’s lively spirit. For its 11th edition, the festival brings food, fashion, and live music to the streets, blending headliners, emerging artists, and local favourites in a weekend full of energy and community. Book here

Over the two main festival days, expect a dynamic lineup of live performances and DJ sets that will keep every corner of the festival moving from soulful grooves and jazz-infused R&B to amapiano, afro-house, and reggae sounds. 

Opening night: Fri, Dec 12, 2025

The weekend kicks off at Thesis Concept Store with The Art of Starting: Retla Bona Ko Pele – a networking and creative industry session focused on entrepreneurship and resilience. Expect inspiring conversations, plus a lineup of live performances and DJ sets to ease you into the weekend. This evening is free to attend. 

Here’s what’s on the musical lineup for this year’s festival:  

Sat, Dec 13, 2025

Monique Bingham returns to the Makhelwane Festival stage. Photo: DJ Merlon via Facebook.

It's going to be a star-studded Saturday at Makhelwane Fest, where the main stage brings together some of South Africa’s finest talent. Monique Bingham, the powerhouse vocalist known for her soulful house and collaborations with international DJs, will have you singing along from the first note. Russell Zuma, celebrated for his smooth jazz-infused R&B and captivating live performances, brings warmth and rhythm to the lineup. Njelic, the producer and vocalist behind chart-topping amapiano hits, promises infectious grooves that will keep you dancing. And for a dose of reggae and dancehall vibes, Jah Seed & Admiral deliver their signature energetic sets, celebrated for getting crowds moving wherever they play.

The DJ lineup serves everything from soulful grooves to street-shaking basslines. Nicky B brings global rhythm energy, Lochive and Musical Maestro keep things smooth and dance-ready, while Linda Moeketsi and Skywalker turn up the cool with feel-good house and amapiano blends. DJ Jawz brings the hype, and Kitchen Mess plus Mister Majesty round it off with eclectic, party-starting mixes.

Sun, Dec 14, 2025

Sjava is set to give a memorable performance at the 2025 Makhelwane Festival. Photo: @_rtcstudios via Instagram. 

The musical fun doesn't stop with day two of the music festival being a jam-packed lineup. Sjava, the multi-award-winning singer and songwriter, brings his signature blend of Afro-soul and contemporary R&B, captivating audiences with his storytelling and stage presence. Fiji Mageba is known for his electrifying mix of soul, afro-pop, and jazz influences. WAV Gardn keeps the energy high with neo-futuristic and Afro-soul sounds. Fans of soulful grooves and intricate vocals will love Thandonje, and Saul Madiope rounds out the lineup with his celebrated fusion of jazz, afro-soul, and experimental sounds. 

The decks keep the energy alive with DJ sets that’ll get every corner of the festival moving. There's Ke Dineo kicks with smooth house and feel-good grooves, while Kitchen Mess and Katz bring eclectic, dancefloor-ready beats. Mister Majesty and Skywalker keep the energy soaring with amapiano and afro-house, and Buhle Mbongwa adds soulful, deep melodic layers to the mix. Billion, Tee Illa, and Castro round out the day with high-energy, crowd-hyping selections spanning deep house, afrobeat, and everything in between.

Book your tickets for Makhelwane Fest

Whether you’re here to sway or to jump, the music lineup at Makhelwane Festival has something for everyone. You can book your tickets here.

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