South Africa’s music, fashion and art worlds collided in spectacular style as Mahindra Group hosted the 2026 edition of Mahindra Fusion Fest, transforming Pretoria into a vibrant hub of creative energy.
Held on 7 March at the SunBet Arena, the event brought together thousands of fans, artists and creators for a genre bending showcase that blended live music, fashion design and visual art in one immersive production.
Now in its second year, the festival has quickly grown into a national platform celebrating emerging talent while spotlighting some of South Africa’s biggest names in entertainment.
From Campus Activations to a National Finale
The road to the Pretoria finale began months earlier with activations across Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg, where aspiring musicians, artists and fashion designers were invited to participate in a nationwide talent search.
Through campus events and dealership initiatives, the festival positioned itself as more than a music event. Instead, it served as a launchpad for young creators hoping to break into the country’s creative industries.
Hundreds of submissions poured in from across South Africa, culminating in the grand finale where thousands filled the arena for an evening dedicated to creative collaboration.
According to Mahindra South Africa CEO Rajesh Gupta, the festival was inspired by the belief that creativity plays a central role in building stronger communities.
A Lineup Blending Legends and New Icons
The evening’s programme unfolded through four themed musical segments that paired live performances with fashion and visual art.
The nostalgic Rewind the Revolution segment was led by Zoë Modiga and featured performances from Mafikizolo, Kurt Darren and Claire Johnston, accompanied by fashion from Imprint and pop art by Shaun “Damn Vandal” Oakley.
Hip hop and gospel influences merged in Hip Hop Most High, bringing together Blxckie, Maglera Doe Boy and the Tshwane Gospel Choir alongside fashion by The Bam Collective and illustrations by Ndumiso Nyoni.
Female artistry took centre stage in Femme for All, with performances from Naledi Aphiwe, Karen Zoid, Nomfundo Moh and Mariechan.
The night closed with All About Now, an amapiano driven finale featuring Zee Nxumalo, Focalistic and Daliwonga.
Spotlight on Emerging Talent
A key highlight of Fusion Fest is its focus on new talent.
Singer Thando Micky was crowned the winner of the festival’s nationwide music competition, while runners up also received financial support to further their careers.
In the fashion category, designer Andile Cele took the top spot, while Anda Mncayi was recognised as the winning visual artist.
The competition reflects the festival’s broader goal of nurturing the next generation of South African creatives.
The Mahindra XUV 3XO Takes Centre Stage
Beyond the performances, the festival also showcased Mahindra’s latest automotive offering, the Mahindra XUV 3XO, which has been gaining attention among younger South African drivers.
One attendee, Ntombhi Mkalipi from Pretoria, drove home in a brand new XUV 3XO after winning a nationwide Mahindra test drive competition announced during the event.
Celebrating Culture and Community
For Mahindra, Fusion Fest is part of a broader cultural outreach initiative aimed at supporting artistic communities around the world.
As the company approaches three decades in South Africa, the festival reflects a growing effort by brands to move beyond traditional sponsorships and invest in platforms that celebrate creativity and community.
With thousands attending the Pretoria finale and creators participating from across the country, Mahindra Fusion Fest is quickly establishing itself as one of South Africa’s most distinctive cultural events.