The Jozi Kota Festival is set to return to the Nasrec Expo Centre on Saturday, 3 October 2026, with more than 20,000 festival-goers expected to attend what promises to be one of Johannesburg’s biggest celebrations of township food, culture, music and entrepreneurship.
Presented by Goldex Events and powered by Albany, the festival is expected to stimulate more than R35 million in economic activity in Johannesburg, including direct and indirect tourism-related expenditure, while creating more than 5,000 employment opportunities in the lead-up to and during the event
The festival forms part of the broader Kota Festival Tour, which continues to expand its footprint across South Africa, with the vision of taking “Kota 2 The World” and positioning the kota as a proudly South African cultural and economic export.
A FESTIVAL THAT CREATES JOBS
At the heart of the Jozi Kota Festival is a commitment to ensuring that large-scale events translate into tangible economic opportunities for communities.
More than 5,000 jobs and temporary employment opportunities will be created through the festival ecosystem, including opportunities in:
Event production and operations, Hospitality and catering, Food preparation and sales, Logistics and transport, Security, Cleaning and waste management, Brand activations, Customer service, Retail and merchandise, technical production, Marketing and media, Vendor support, Entertainment and creative services These opportunities extend beyond the day of the festival, with hundreds of individuals and businesses involved during the planning, preparation, build-up and breakdown phases of the event.
For Goldex Events, the objective is clear: festivals must not only entertain people, but must create economic participation and opportunities for South Africans.
MORE THAN R35 MILLION INTO THE JOHANNESBURG ECONOMY
The anticipated 20,000-plus visitors are expected to contribute significantly to economic activity across Johannesburg.
The economic impact will extend beyond the Nasrec Expo Centre, benefiting accommodation providers, restaurants, transport operators, fuel stations, retail outlets, tourism businesses, informal traders and other businesses that benefit from increased visitor activity.
With visitors travelling from different parts of Gauteng and other provinces, the Jozi Kota Festival is also contributing to domestic tourism and the movement of people and spending within the city.
The festival demonstrates how major cultural and entertainment events can become powerful economic drivers, connecting tourism, hospitality, small business, entertainment and township enterprise.
SUPPORTING TOWNSHIP ENTREPRENEURS
The Jozi Kota Festival provides a major commercial platform for small and emerging businesses to access thousands of consumers in a single day.
The festival marketplace will feature kota vendors, food businesses, beverage suppliers, fashion brands, lifestyle businesses, craft traders and other small and medium-sized enterprises.
For many entrepreneurs, participation in the festival is more than an opportunity to trade for one day. It provides exposure, customer acquisition, brand awareness and the opportunity to establish relationships that can contribute to longer-term business growth.
The festival continues to champion the Kotapreneur – entrepreneurs who have built businesses around one of South Africa’s most recognisable township food cultures.
THANK YOU TO THE GAUTENG DEPARTMENT OF SPORT, ARTS AND CULTURE
Goldex Events would like to express its sincere appreciation to the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts and Culture for its support and recognition of the role that cultural and creative events play in strengthening communities, promoting South African culture and creating economic opportunities.
The support of the Department is particularly meaningful as the Kota Festival continues to use food, music, arts, entertainment and entrepreneurship as vehicles to showcase the richness of South African township culture.
The festival believes that partnerships between government, the private sector, communities and event organisers are essential to building a sustainable cultural economy that creates opportunities for artists, entrepreneurs, workers and small businesses.
FROM TOWNSHIP FOOD TO A NATIONAL CULTURAL PLATFORM
The kota remains at the centre of the festival experience.
What started as a much-loved township meal has developed into a powerful cultural symbol and a growing economic ecosystem involving thousands of food entrepreneurs across South Africa.
The Jozi Kota Festival will bring together kota vendors from different parts of the country, showcasing traditional flavours alongside innovative interpretations of the iconic South African street food.
The festival marketplace will also give visitors an opportunity to discover fashion, lifestyle products, crafts, beverages and other locally produced goods.
STRATEGIC PARTNERS HELP DRIVE THE IMPACT
The Jozi Kota Festival is proudly powered by Albany, with support from Capitec, Nyama Choma, Daily Sun and Base Pulse.
These partnerships demonstrate the importance of collaboration between brands and cultural platforms in creating meaningful economic and social impact.
Albany, as headline sponsor, continues to support an initiative that celebrates South African communities, food culture and entrepreneurship.
Capitec’s commitment to supporting small businesses and financial inclusion aligns strongly with the festival’s objective of creating opportunities for entrepreneurs to connect with consumers and grow their businesses.
Additional support from Nyama Choma, Daily Sun and Base Pulse strengthens the festival’s ability to reach communities and provide a platform for local businesses, creatives and entrepreneurs.
ENTERTAINMENT, CULTURE AND COMMUNITY
While economic development is a key pillar of the Jozi Kota Festival, the event remains a major celebration of South African entertainment and culture.
Festival-goers can expect a full day of live performances, DJs, food, brand activations, lifestyle experiences and family entertainment featuring some of the country’s biggest names.
The event will be hosted by Somizi Mhlongo and Napo Modise, who will take audiences through a packed programme of entertainment and interactive experiences.
“WE WANT PEOPLE TO SEE THE ECONOMIC POWER OF A FESTIVAL” – XOLANI MACHELE
Xolani Machele, CEO of Goldex Events and the Kota Festival, said:
“The Jozi Kota Festival is about much more than putting people on a stage and selling tickets. We want people to see the economic power of a festival and the opportunities that can be created when thousands of people come together around culture.
“Our target of creating more than 5,000 job opportunities and generating more than R35 million in economic activity demonstrates what is possible when entertainment, tourism, entrepreneurship and culture work together.
“We are particularly grateful to the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture for its support and for recognising the importance of platforms that celebrate South African culture while contributing to economic participation.
“We also want to thank our partners, Albany, Capitec, Nyama Choma, Daily Sun and Base Pulse, as well as every vendor, worker, artist and entrepreneur who contributes to making this festival possible.
“Our vision is to build a festival platform that creates opportunities at every level – from the kota vendor selling their food, to the young person getting their first temporary job, to the artist performing on stage and the hotel welcoming visitors from outside Johannesburg.
“On 3 October, we are not just bringing 20,000 people to Nasrec. We are bringing economic activity, tourism, jobs, entrepreneurship and an opportunity to celebrate who we are as South Africans.” Speaking about the 2026 programme, Luvo Limba said the festival is focused on creating opportunities that extend beyond entertainment.
“Kota Festival is more than just a food and entertainment experience. Through our 2026 tour, we are creating platforms for influencers, brands and communities to grow together while celebrating the culture and spirit of the Kota,” said Limba.
A key feature of the 2026 programme is the Kota Festival Influencer Tour Campaign, which will see influencers travel across the festival’s events, creating content and collaborating with brands to grow their own platforms while increasing the reach of the Kota Festival experience.
The Jozi Kota Festival is expected to be a major highlight, attracting influencers from across South Africa, as well as Eswatini and Lesotho.
The event will also feature an inclusive entertainment line-up designed to appeal to the festival’s diverse target market.
Kota Festival is also placing greater emphasis on health and community wellness through the Freshe Fun Walk, taking place on 19 September 2026 at Morris Isaacson High School in Soweto. The 5km walk aims to encourage learners, families and the wider community to embrace active and healthier lifestyles.
Walk participants will also benefit from exclusive discount promotions, adding further value to the community-focused initiative.
With its expanded tour, influencer campaign and wellness initiatives, Kota Festival continues to grow as a platform that brings together food, culture, entertainment, brands and communities.
THE DATES ARE UNLOCKED AND SET FOR 2027!
KOTA FESTIVAL TOUR 2027 – SAVE THE DATES!
We are taking the Kota Festival even further in 2027!
From Eastrand to Eastern Cape, from Jozi to Limpopo, from Eswatini to Lesotho – the Kota is travelling! 2027 KOTA FESTIVAL TOUR DATES Eastrand Kota Festival – 3 April 2027 Northwest Kota Festival – 24 April 2027 Jozi Kota Festival – 1 May 2027 Mpumalanga Kota Festival – 8 May 2027 eThekwini Kota Festival – 5 June 2027 Limpopo Kota Festival – 7 August 2027 Vaal Kota Festival – 28 August 2027 Capetown Kota Festival – 4 September 2027 Tembisa Kota Festival – 25 September 2027 Jozi Kota Festival – 2 October 2027 Eswatini Kota Festival – 23 October 2027 Pitori Kota Festival – 30 October 2027 Lesotho Kota Festival – 6 November 2027 Freestate Kota Festival – 27 November 2027 Easterncape Kota Festival – 4 December 2027 15
FESTIVALS. 15 DESTINATIONS. ONE BIGGER VISION.
We are continuing to build a platform that celebrates Kasi culture, music, food, entrepreneurship and the people who make our communities special.
More importantly, the Kota Festival continues to create opportunities for SMMEs, Kotapreneurs, artists, suppliers and job seekers across the communities we visit.
EVENT INFORMATION
Event: Jozi Kota Festival 2026 Date: Saturday, 3 October 2026 Time: 10:00 – 00:00 Venue: Expo Centre, Nasrec, Johannesburg Expected Attendance: 20,000+ Projected Economic Impact: More than R35 million Employment Opportunities: More than 5,000 Headline Sponsor: Albany Partners: Capitec, Nyama Choma, Daily Sun, Base Pulse.
