Severe weather forced Zakes Bantwini to cut short his eagerly anticipated Mayonie Open Air festival at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg this past Sunday. According to reports, intense storms swept through the city, prompting organisers to bring the event to an early close for safety reasons.
The skies darkened just hours after the gates opened, with the South African Weather Service issuing a yellow level 4 warning for thunderstorms and heavy rainfall across parts of the country. Johannesburg bore the brunt of the downpour.
Despite that, the festival had already delivered moments of magic. The crowd was buzzing, DJs and artists harmonising on stage, and the immersive staging and interactive spaces planned for Mayonie came alive — even if only for a short while. “The vibe was incredible before the storm came through,” Zakes said, adding that the response from fans has been “so positive and understanding.”
He also reassured the public that no one was harmed. “Everyone was perfectly safe. It was just rain and weather, nothing dramatic. Everyone got home fine,” he said.
A Line-up Interrupted
The Mayonie line-up had promised a strong, generational celebration of Afrohouse and Afrotech — a concept at the core of the festival’s identity.
Featured acts included Liquideep, Msaki, and Mörda (formerly of Black Motion).
The festival design aimed to do more than just showcase artists — it intended to embed the audience in a vivid cultural experience, with layered soundscapes, visuals, and interactive zones connecting people intimately with the music.
Unfortunately, not every act got a chance to perform. The group B3B — composed of Caiiro, Enoo Napa, and Da Capo — was unable to play their set, as the festival was wrapped up early due to the winds and rain.
What’s Next — Promise of a Rain Check
While the weather did its worst, the spirit of Mayonie’s vision remains alive. Zakes Bantwini announced that he and his team are now working “to make it up to the fans” who didn’t get to enjoy the full experience. He asked for “a week or so” to organise a plan and promised to share it soon.
For many, the aborted festival still delivered glimpses of what could have been — a melding of musical legacy and contemporary sound, celebration of Afrohouse culture, and a community united by rhythm and soul. With the lineup that had been confirmed — from return performances by Liquideep to rising talents shaping Afrotech’s future — the promise behind Mayonie was as ambitious as it was meaningful.
Roots, Rhythm — Rain or Shine
Mayonie Open Air’s concept was never just about entertainment. For Zakes Bantwini, it was an homage to decades of Afrohouse evolution — from its soulful roots in the ’90s to modern-day Afrotech innovations — gathering generations of music lovers under one roof.
This weekend’s cancellation may have brought the event to an abrupt end, but it didn’t dampen the larger vision behind it. As Zakes and his team regroup to deliver a follow-up, the essence of Mayonie remains intact — a testament to resilience, community, and the enduring power of music.
