Johannesburg’s creative energy takes the spotlight again as the Jozi Food & Music Festival: Empowerment Edition brings together sound, flavor and enterprise at Constitution Hill on 25 October 2025.
This is more than a lifestyle festival. It is a celebration of unity that showcases South Africa’s food, music, and cultural identity while giving small businesses and emerging artists real opportunities to grow.
Organizers see this first edition as the beginning of a new legacy on the city’s cultural calendar — a space where creativity fuels the economy and strengthens communities.
A Festival Built on Empowerment
The Jozi Food & Music Festival was created to give emerging chefs, entrepreneurs, and creators the room to refine their craft and connect with audiences.
Its goal is not simply to entertain but to bridge potential with visibility.
Small township caterers, food innovators, and artisans receive a platform to showcase their work, tell their stories, and gain business exposure that might otherwise be out of reach.
Through mentorship workshops and networking programs, traders and artists access tools that build confidence, strengthen their skills, and open pathways to funding.
The festival’s team intends to build an institution that honors South Africa’s diversity and resilience by ensuring small businesses share the same spotlight as major brands in the heart of Johannesburg.
The Line-Up: Where Heritage Meets Sound
Music drives Johannesburg’s identity, and the 2025 line-up captures that pulse perfectly.
The main stage features Trompies, K.O, Mörda, Vusi Nova, Mlindo The Vocalist, Njelic, Manana, Shaun 101, and Playgirl, creating an explosive mix of kwaito, Afro-pop, house, and amapiano.
The combination of legacy acts and modern hit-makers mirrors the city’s rhythm — rooted in township culture yet constantly reinventing itself.
While the beats fill the air, visitors can explore food villages and craft markets scattered across Constitution Hill’s open courtyards. Each corner hums with movement, music, and the unmistakable flavor of Gauteng.
Spotlight on Emerging Artists
The Emerging Stage gives rising DJs, vocalists, and performers their moment to shine.
It allows new artists to perform before live audiences, gain professional experience, and connect with industry mentors.
The festival works closely with local creative hubs to ensure the line-up reflects authentic community voices.
By sharing the stage with established musicians, these performers learn what it means to hold a crowd, manage a set, and build confidence.
This approach turns the festival into a long-term incubator for talent — a movement focused on mentorship, not just entertainment.
What to Expect: A Feast for the Senses
On 25 October, Constitution Hill’s People’s Park will transform into a vibrant playground that engages every sense.
Food Villages will serve everything from township braais to global street eats.
Chefs from across Gauteng will highlight local ingredients and fusion flavors that tell South Africa’s culinary story.
Live Performances will run throughout the day, blending nostalgia with fresh energy.
A Family and Kids Zone will include cooking sessions, play areas, and interactive fun for younger visitors.
SMME Empowerment Workshops will provide practical lessons on business growth, marketing, and financial management.
A Creative Vendor Market will showcase handmade crafts, design pieces, and township-born innovations that reflect Gauteng’s imagination.
Tickets are already available through Webtickets and Pick n Pay outlets nationwide.
Family packages, heritage discounts, and group bundles keep the event affordable and open to everyone.
Constitution Hill: A Venue with Meaning
Hosting the festival at Constitution Hill gives the celebration depth and symbolism.
Once a site of confinement, the landmark now stands as a national beacon of freedom and unity.
People’s Park has become a gathering space for South Africans from every background, blending history with creativity.
The setting connects the story of empowerment to a physical space that represents endurance and hope.
Visitors will dance, eat, and celebrate in the same courtyards that once witnessed the country’s most transformative moments, a reminder that resilience and culture are inseparable.
Festival Partners and Supporters
The Empowerment Edition is made possible through strong collaborations that mirror its purpose.
Key partners include Constitution Hill – The People’s Park as venue host, Run Around Events as event coordinator, Coca-Cola and Schweppes as refreshment partners, Graham Beck and Steenberg Wines as beverage sponsors, and Gauteng Government with GDDA as public-sector supporters.
Together, these organizations invest in Johannesburg’s creative economy and help ensure that small enterprises remain central to the city’s growth.
Why This Festival Matters
The Jozi Food & Music Festival stands for more than good food and great music.
It is a platform for empowerment that turns creativity into opportunity.
It strengthens local businesses, connects artists with audiences, and reminds Gauteng that culture can drive both pride and prosperity.
Events like this illustrate the power of partnership and community.
They show that entrepreneurship, music, and tourism can thrive together when supported by collaboration and shared purpose.
The Takeaway: Buy Local, Celebrate Jozi, Feel the Groove
Johannesburg doesn’t just consume culture — it creates it.
The Jozi Food & Music Festival celebrates that creative spirit, proving that when people come together to share food, rhythm, and ideas, the city shines even brighter.
Mark 25 October on your calendar.
Bring your friends and spend the day at Constitution Hill, where heritage and hustle meet and where empowerment takes center stage.
Support local. Eat local. Live Jozi.
Tickets available now at Webtickets or any Pick n Pay store nationwide.
