Mahindra Fusion Fest 2026 celebrates SA’s creative talent

Venecia Valentine

Mahindra Fusion Fest returned in 2026 bigger and more immersive, bringing together thousands of fans, artists and creators for a dynamic celebration of music, fashion and visual art.

What started as a bold cultural experiment in 2025 has quickly evolved into a national platform that highlights creativity while connecting communities across the country.

The 2026 edition reached its peak with a sold-out grand finale at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria on 7 March.

Nationwide roadshows uncover new talent

Leading up to the finale, the festival hosted months of nationwide activations in Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg.

These roadshows brought the Fusion Fest experience to campuses, cultural hubs and communities while serving as a nationwide talent search.

Emerging musicians, fashion designers and visual artists were invited to submit their work through dealership-led initiatives and community activations.

The response was strong, with hundreds of entries submitted by aspiring creators across the country.

According to Rajesh Gupta, the festival reflects the creative energy found across South Africa.

“The youthful vibrancy of the Rainbow Nation is something we experience every day across South Africa, in its music, fashion, art and the remarkable creativity of its people,” Gupta said.

He added that the festival was inspired by the shared philosophies of Ubuntu and Vasudeva Kutumbakam, emphasising unity through creative expression.

A night of genre-blending performances

The grand finale featured four collaborative performances combining music, fashion and visual art.

Rewind the Revolution

This nostalgic set featured performances from Zoë Modiga, Mafikizolo, Kurt Darren and Claire Johnston.

The showcase included fashion from Imprint and pop art by Shaun Oakley.

Hip Hop Most High

Hip hop merged with gospel influences through performances by Blxckie, Maglera Doe Boy and the Tshwane Gospel Choir.

Fashion was provided by The Bam Collective, with visual art by illustrator Ndumiso Nyoni.

Femme for All

This segment celebrated female creativity with performances by Naledi Aphiwe, Karen Zoid, Nomfundo Moh and Mariechan.

The performance featured immersive media art by Inka Kendzia.

All About Now

The show closed with an amapiano-inspired performance featuring Zee Nxumalo, Focalistic and Daliwonga.

The segment included fashion by Munkus and street art by Bushy Wopp.

Celebrating new creative voices

The festival also crowned winners of its nationwide talent search.

• Thando Micky – music category
• Andile Cele – fashion category
• Anda Mncayi – visual art category

One of the standout fashion moments came from professional dancer and choreographer Kelly KiKx, who wore a striking corset designed by emerging label HAKU.

The corset, crafted entirely from sneakers, drew significant attention during the event.

“This design made from sneakers is a winning piece for both Daisies and Men’s Fashion Week,” Kelly KiKx told Inbound SA.

“It doubles as an art piece that can be displayed and hung up. It only made sense for me to support a local designer whose designs reflect my love for sneakers, art and fashion.”

A growing platform for South African creativity

Mahindra Fusion Fest continues to grow as a national platform celebrating creative collaboration across music, fashion and visual art.

By combining established artists with emerging talent, the event highlights the diversity of South Africa’s creative industries while offering new voices an opportunity to reach a wider audience.

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