As one of South Africa’s and Gauteng’s leading lifestyle and entertainment properties bringing together music and food lovers from all walks of life under one roof to celebrate the dialectical relations between people, music, and food, the Delicious Festival has over the years grown to become not only Gauteng’s biggest tourism booster, but of South Africa at large.
Feauring American megastar Babyface and 23-time Grammy winner Burna Boy, Nigeria (above), the two-day festival will take place on Heritage Weekend – on September 24 and 25 – at Kyalami Grand Prix, Johannesburg. More than just a fun lifestyle and music festival with over 50 000 patrons expected to attend, the festival is expected to generate an estimated R340 million in revenue, 2000 jobs opportunities and a further R500 million injection into the GDP.
Explaining why tourism is so important to the local economy as Delicious Festival makes a much-antipated comeback following a cancellation of major festival in the past 2 years due to COVID-19, CEO of Gauteng Tourism Authority Sthembiso Dlamini had this to say: “Following two-years of plummeting tourism revenues, severe job losses in the sector and restrictions in terms of international and domestic travel, gatherings, and general hosting of events due to Covid-19 pandemic, the return of this festival and others in our calendar herald the start of an exciting period in which we can plot our tourism recovery efforts.” Dlamini added: “We have documented proof that, the hosting of quality signature events drives increased tourist arrivals, better tourism revenue and builds a solid destination profile and brand equity as we journey together towards recovery.”
The festival is expected to grow from being just a two-day festival to a three-day lifestyle extravaganza during Tourism and Heritage Month in September. As GTA best puts it, this will allow for the creative and artistic expression of our heritage as a country through music and food. Better still, a potpourri of local, regional, and overseas talent set to perform over that weekend, will result in a broad mix audiences not only from across across SA, but Africa and the Middle East converging to South Africa’s economic powerhouse (Gauteng) witness their favourite musicians take to the stage.
“As the GTA, we are thrilled by the full opening of the country and with the staging of quality events forming an integral part of our destination offerings, we are bracing ourselves for a profitable period despite the energy and soaring prices challenges currently. We will once again together with our local communities roll-out the red carpet for our visitors, revelers and fans as we appreciate and affirm the role of the visitor economy in speeding up South Africa’s economic recovery,” Dlamini said.
For more information on the Gauteng Events Calendar, pre and post events tours opportunities and varied accommodation in the province visit www.gauteng.net. Alternatively follow @visitgauteng on twitter and Instagram and ‘I love Gauteng’ on Facebook.
DStv International Delicious Food & Music Festival: lineup, ticket pricing
Burna Boy will take to the main stage on Saturday, while Babyface will take to the same stage the following day.
On Saturday, patrons can look forward to performances from Major League DJs and kwaito legends such as Mdu, Kabelo, Thebe, Arthur Mafokate, and Trompies. Simphiwe Dana, Zanzi Makeba Lee, and Msaki are billed for Sunday.
Tickets are available at Howler starting from R690 to R5 850 per person. The R690 tickets allow access to the picnic lawn, while the R1 950 tickets give access to the Delicious Lounge main area and a private VIP cash bar and designated VIP toilets. The R5 850 tickets give access to the ambassador luxury suite with a “premium hospitality” unit hosted by chef and restauranteur Siba Mtongana.
