Mzansi’s global superstar Tyla is coming home to celebrate her record-breaking sophomore era with the people who backed her from day one.
On Sunday, 16 August 2026, the two-time GRAMMY Award winner will take over Gold Reef City theme park in Johannesburg for the official A*POP Takeover, presented in partnership with South African Tourism and powered by Absa.
The Fan Appreciation Day brings the global pop star back to the city that shaped her journey, creating an unmissable homecoming celebration for her loyal fanbase, the Tygers.
How to Score Tickets on TikTok
Tyla is inviting her Tygers across the country to jump into the celebration on TikTok for a chance to pull up to Gold Reef City.
To win a ticket to the Fan Appreciation Day on 16 August, fans need to create a TikTok video using any song from her new album, APOP*, tag @tyla, and use the hashtag #APOPGOLDREEFCITY.
To ensure young fans from across the province can join in, South African Tourism is providing transport for fans from various parts of Gauteng straight to Gold Reef City.
“Tyla has always been authentic in her work. A daughter of the African soil and an advocate for South Africa,” says Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille. “I agree with her, that you must visit South Africa to understand its beauty and its people.”
Dominating Global Charts with ‘A*POP’
The homecoming event arrives right on the heels of Tyla’s second studio album, APOP*, which dropped globally on 24 July 2026. The 14-track album expands her signature “Popiano” sound, fusing pop, R&B, amapiano, and house rhythms.
Since its release, APOP* has smashed major international milestones:
- Billboard 200 Debut: Entered at No. 43.
- Billboard Top R&B Albums: Debut at No. 5.
- Billboard World Albums: Hit No. 1, making Tyla the only African artist in history to achieve multiple No. 1 albums on the chart.
- Global Streaming: Reached No. 1 on iTunes worldwide and No. 3 on Apple Music’s global album chart.
The album features star-studded collaborations with international pop star Zara Larsson on “SHE DID IT AGAIN”, alongside local powerhouses MaWhoo, Babalwa M, and Liquideep.
“Whenever I’m Home, I Feel Like Myself Again”
Fresh off winning her second GRAMMY Award in 2026 for “Push 2 Start” (following her historic 2024 win for “Water”), Tyla remains deeply grounded in her Johannesburg roots.
“Whenever I’m home, I feel like myself again. I love being surrounded by my people and my fans; it reminds me where I come from,” Tyla shares.
With a 34-date global headlining tour kicking off later this year, the Gold Reef City takeover gives Joburg fans a front-row moment to celebrate Mzansi’s biggest musical export before she hits international stages once again.