The highly anticipated DSTV Delicious International Food and Music Festival, powered by LottoStar, took place over the weekend at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit, treating festivalgoers to a fun-filled two days of music, food, and fashion.
Day 1: Tasty treats and music magnificence
The event was packed to capacity as scores of South Africans came to witness their favourite acts on stage and immerse themselves in the rich flavours of local cuisine, coupled with local fashion.
This year’s edition featured ten graduates from the festival’s Traders Academy, who proudly served their scrumptious dishes alongside other food vendors. From kotas to burgers, the food stalls offered festivalgoers a true taste of South Africa.
Pamela Mtanga and Smash Afrika were the hosts, entertaining the crowd with their charisma.
Fashion and beats
Fashion was another highlight of this year’s festival. Local designers such as Lottie-efunk, Yhu Amadoda, and Ditsala Designs showcased their creations.
Music was obviously one of the biggest highlights of the day. The crowd was thoroughly entertained by tunes from some of South Africa’s biggest stars.
Inkabi Zezwe, a South African duo composed of Sjava and Big Zulu, brought the house down. The legends performed their hits, entertaining the masses with songs such as ‘Umbayimbayi’ and ‘Khaya Lami’. The crowd went crazy when Sjava performed his popular single, ‘Uyena’. The performance was so good that Sjava had to return to the stage as the crowd refused to let the song end.
Zee Nxumalo was pure fireworks. The Amapiano star entertained the crowd with her distinctive melodies and killer moves, sending the youth, especially the Ama2000s, into a frenzy.
Local rapper Kwesta brought the heat. The award-winning star took the crowd down memory lane with some of the songs that have cemented his place as a South African hip hop legend.
Kelvin Momo and DJ Zinhle took the crowd's energy to the next level, creating proper vibes on the dance floor with electrifying sets.
The main act, American singer and rapper Don Toliver, set the stage alight. He electrified the crowd with performances of his latest singles, including ‘Tiramisu’. He closed the night with an unforgettable set and sent the crowd home with big smiles on their faces, ready for Day 2.
Day 2: Music, magic, and a few missed notes
I made my way to Day 2, and let’s say: Joburg showed up in full force, ready to sing, dance, and indulge.
The music that moved us
The day belonged to South Africa’s finest, and the crowd made sure they felt the love. Zoë Modiga opened my festival experience with a performance that reminded everyone why she’s one of the most exciting voices in the country. She commanded the stage with passion, soul, and the kind of presence that makes you forget everything else around you.
Then came Mandisi Dyantyis, whose set was nothing short of spectacular. The main stage was jam-packed as fans sang along, hands in the air, completely swept up in the moment. His performance was the kind that stays with you - uplifting, emotional, and unforgettable.
Lira followed with her trademark grace and power. Even when the sound cut out mid-performance of ‘Phakade’, she didn’t miss a beat, improvising with the crowd until the tech team pulled it together. Once the sound was restored, we were treated to soaring renditions of ‘Believer’ and ‘Ngiyaz’fela’, proving why she remains one of SA’s most beloved stars.
Oskido, the godfather of South African dance, kept the party vibe alive with a set that had the whole field buzzing. The highlight? A surprise appearance by Busiswa to perform ‘Lahla’. Just when we thought it couldn’t get better, international house legend Robin S jumped on stage for a short but electric performance, an unexpected cherry on top.
And then, it was time for Ms Lauryn Hill. The anticipation was palpable as the crowd packed tighter than sardines, waiting for the headliner. She eventually took the stage later than scheduled, but her energy was undeniable. Backed by her sons Zion and YG Marley, she poured herself into the performance. Unfortunately, the sound didn’t do her justice, the band often drowned her out, and key solos were lost in the mix. This was a real shame for a voice ranked among Rolling Stone’s 200 Greatest Singers of All Time. Still, being in the presence of a legend was worth the wait.
Food, drink, and festival life
Beyond the music, Delicious lived up to its name. Food vendors served everything from African cuisine and burgers to Asian fusion, pizza, and spit braais. The Traders Academy stalls were buzzing with queues of hungry festival-goers.
There were some hiccups, though. Bar service was painfully slow; at one point, I waited 40 minutes for a drink. On the flip side, Bonaqua kept festival-goers hydrated with free bottled water, and plenty of taps were scattered around, which was a lifesaver in the blazing heat.
Shoutout to the Toilet Duck team, the restrooms stayed impressively clean throughout the day, a detail any seasoned festival-goer will appreciate.
The vibe
If there’s one thing Joburg does best, it’s showing up in style. Festival-goers arrived dressed to impress, with picnic blankets and camp chairs ready to soak up the music and the moment. While the sound let the stars down at times, the performers themselves delivered outstanding sets that had the crowd singing, swaying, and celebrating.
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