Zakes Bantwini
Zakes Bantwini had to bring his Mayonie Open Air festival at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg to an early close on Sunday after severe storms swept through the city.
Speaking to The Citizen on Tuesday, the Grammy Award-winning musician said, “You know, these things happen when you’re doing outdoor events. Nature had other plans on Sunday.”
The South African Weather Service had issued a yellow level 4 warning for thunderstorms and heavy rainfall across parts of the country, and Johannesburg felt the brunt.
Despite the weather forcing an early wrap, Bantwini said the energy at the festival had been incredible.
“Obviously, we would have loved to finish the full show, but everyone understood the situation. The vibe was incredible before the storm came through, and honestly, the response from our supporters has been so positive and understanding. It’s just one of those things,” he explained.
He reassured fans that no one was harmed during the storms.
“Everyone was perfectly safe. It was just rain and weather, nothing dramatic. Everyone got home fine, and the feedback we’re getting is all love,” Bantwini said.
The Mayonie Open Air festival featured performances from Liquideep, Msaki, and Mörda (formerly of Black Motion), with immersive staging and interactive spaces designed to give attendees a closer connection to the music.
However, B3B, made up of Caiiro, Enoo Napa, and Da Capo, was unable to perform due to the weather.
“B3B didn’t get to perform because we had to wrap early due to the weather. But that’s really it; everything else went beautifully,” said Bantwini.
Acknowledging the interruption, Bantwini confirmed that he and his team are planning something to make it up to fans.
“Give us a week or so to figure out the logistics, and we’ll share the plan. But honestly, the love and understanding from everyone has been amazing. Our community gets it. Sometimes the weather doesn’t cooperate, and that’s life.”
