HughFest 2026 at NIROX: A Celebration of Bra Hugh Masekela’s Legacy
By CityLife Arts Writer
The Hugh Masekela Heritage Foundation announced, the 13th edition ofthe celebrated Hugh Masekela Heritage Festival, taking place on Sunday, 29 November 2026 at NIROX in the Cradle of Humankind.
More than a music festival, HughFest is a living tribute to the enduring legacy of Bra Hugh, a global icon whose music carried the heartbeat of South Africa across the world. True to his belief in Love, Learn & Teach, this year’s edition invites audiences of all generations to gather beneath open skies, among world-class sculpture and rolling landscapes, for a day shaped by rhythm, reflection, joy and shared cultural memory.
The 2026 line-up unites boundary-breaking voices, ancestral sounds and fearless new expressions, each artist adding a distinct chapter to an unforgettable festival story. Together, they carry forward Bra Hugh’s spirit of storytelling, heritage, innovation and joyful connection. With every distinct musical voice, the stage becomes a living celebration of South Africa’s past, present and future. This musician’s feature boundary-breaking voices, ancestral sounds and fearless new expressions, each adding a distinct chapter to an unforgettable festival story.
The SN Project carries a genre-fluid curiosity forward through soulful melodies, rich harmonies and contemporary South African soundscapes, turning emotion and craft into an intimate yet expansive journey. Siya Makuzeni mirrors the boldness and inventive range by moving between jazz, electronic textures and vocal experimentation. Izingane Zomaradiate pride,channelling their rootedness in African heritage and presenting the power of Maskandi music. Internet Athi reflects the restless, forward-looking edge of a new generation, fusing experimental production. Thando Zideechoes her emotional truth and lyrical honesty through a tender yet commanding voice that turns vulnerability and strength into a lasting musical connection, while Kabelo “Bouga Luv” Mabalane brings the warmth, rhythm, charisma, and celebratory energy that made Bra Hugh’s performances feel like shared moments of upliftment. Together, they form a line-up built not only for the moment but to continue a legacy in which music remembers, questions, unites and inspires.
Hosted by the Hugh Masekela Heritage Foundation and Semopa Entertainment,HughFest continues to honour Bra Hugh’s extraordinary contribution to music, activism and African cultural identity. Set within the inspiring natural and artistic environment of NIROX Sculpture Park, the festival creates space for intergenerational dialogue, artistic discovery and collective celebration.
“HughFest is a celebration and preservation of who we were and what we bring along with us – it is reflected through music, through young voices, through dance and through the joy of being together,” said Motlalepula Twala, one of the HughFest organisers “This year’s artists reflect the breadth of South African creativity rooted in joy and reflection.
Audiences can expect a full-day experience of exceptional live music, art, food, community and the unmistakable feeling of a South African summer gathering with meaning.
Event Details
Event: HughFest 2026 — The 13th edition!
Date: Sunday, 29 November 2026
Venue: NIROX Sculpture Park, Kromdraai, Cradle of Humankind, Gauteng
Line-up: The SN Project, SiyaMakuzeni, IzinganeZoma, Internet Athi, Thando Zide and Kabelo Mabalane
Tickets: Available via https://nirox.howler.co.za/events/hughfest-2026
Hosted by: The Hugh Masekela Heritage Foundation, The Nirox Foundation and Semopa Entertainment.