Pretoria, South Africa – As South Africa’s creative industries demand greater recognition and support, Mahindra South Africa is answering the call with its groundbreaking Fusion Fest 2025 — slated for Saturday, February 22 at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria.
Mahindra Fusion Fest isn’t just a festival—it’s a statement. By merging music, fashion, art, and motoring, the event highlights how corporations can drive cultural impact. At its core is the ‘Together We Rise’ initiative, which offers aspiring musicians and designers platforms to shine alongside established names. This approach mirrors a growing global trend where brands recognise their role as catalysts for grassroots talent.
Thula Sindi, one of South Africa’s top fashion designers, epitomises this ethos. His ‘Discover the X’ collection will take center stage at the festival, but the spotlight doesn’t end there. Through “Together We Rise”, one emerging designer will showcase their work alongside Sindi at the festival and receive R30,000 toward fashion school tuition.
“This is a fusion of perspectives, where the celebration of differences becomes a strength, creating a shared space for exploration, expression and joy,” says Mahindra SA.
As 2025 marks two decades of “authentic and meaningful partnership” with over 100,000 customers, Mahindra enters its third chapter with a renewed vision — one that celebrates South Africa’s vibrant youths while honoring the “diverse voices, traditions, and resilience that define the nation.”
A musical melting pot: celebrated icons meet fresh voices
The festival’s music lineup is a masterclass in fusion, blending genres and generations. Headliners like Cassper Nyovest, Mi Casa, Sjava, and the legendary Sipho ‘Hit Stix’ Mabuse will share the stage with rising talents selected through public voting and judged by Cassper himself.
The winning artist – from the top three aspiring – will earn a performance slot and a professional recording session, a career launching opportunity. (see full details about the competition here)
Celebrating diverse music genres
At the heart of the festival are four electrifying fusion performances that will push creative boundaries, blending genres and cultures into groundbreaking collaborations. These performances bring together renowned artists from vastly different musical backgrounds, each creating something entirely new:
FUSION 1
Cassper Nyovest (hip hop) X Zandile Mzazi (Opera) X Radio Kalahari Orkes (Afrikaans country)
FUSION 2
Sjava (afro pop) X Matthew Mole (indie pop) X Tarryn Lamb (Afrikaans pop)
FUSION 3
Mi Casa (dance house) X Young Stunna (Amapiano) X K.O. (hip Hop)
FUSION 4
Kamo Mphela (amapiano) X Sipho “Hot Stix” Mabuse (Afro-jazz) X Aymos (amapiano)
Hosted by entertainment maven Nomuzi ‘Moozlie’ Mabena, the festival also features genre-defying collaborations, including jazz-infused hip-hop and Afro-pop crossovers.
Immersive art installations
The festival will feature immersive installations and interactive exhibits that reflect the theme of fusion—blending tradition with modernity, and individuality with community.
These artistic expressions will showcase the resilience and vibrancy of South African culture through a dynamic interplay of tradition and contemporary cross-cultural nuances. A striking example of this is Esther Mahlangu’s hand-painted shirt (below), a culturally rich masterpiece infused with global inspirations, custom-designed for the Fusion Fest competition.
More than just a festival
Beyond the stage and runway, Mahindra’s commitment extends to its audience. A brand experience competition offers a lucky winner a new Mahindra XUV 3XO—accessible via test drives or festival attendance.
With 50% of tickets (Ticketpro) already sold, the urgency to join this “once-in-a-lifetime event” is clear.
Why Fusion Fest matters for South Africa’s creative future
The Fusion Fest model proves that corporate-community collaborations can reshape industries. By investing in platforms for emerging talent, brands like Mahindra foster sustainable creative ecosystems.
As Thuli Sindi’s partnership shows, mentorship and visibility are invaluable currencies for up-and-coming designers. Likewise, the music platform bridges the gap between stardom and struggle, empowering emerging artists by strengthening their financial stability and fostering equitable opportunities in the industry.
