By Darshana ‘Darsh’ Meyer
Nothing beats seeing your faves take the stage at Mahindra Fusion Fest!
The Mahindra Fusion Fest Talent Search brought music, fashion, art and campus culture to Wits University’s Library Lawns in Johannesburg on Wednesday, 14 October.
From live performances to creative activations and giveaways, the event gave emerging South African talent plenty of room to shine.
Following its successful 2025 debut, the festival returns bigger and bolder, championing the next generation of creatives across the country.
NOWinSA field reporter Darsh Meyer joined the action, chatting to attendees, artists and organisers while capturing the infectious energy of the festival.
From singing along to soaking up every beat, fans threw themselves into the experience, their excitement and love for the music shining through — as captured in the image below.
She also caught up with Thando Micky, the 2026 Music Talent Search winner, who shared how the experience has changed his life.
Reflecting on the biggest impact of her win, Thando highlighted the recognition she’s gaining and the opportunity to tour and perform alongside Nasty C — whom she excitedly called “the coolest kid in Africa”.
For the rising star, the opportunity to share the stage with the award-winning rapper is a major milestone in her journey.
The phrase also recalls Nasty C’s 2016 collaboration with Nigerian superstar Davido on “Coolest Kid in Africa”, released when the South African hip-hop star was just 19. Read more about the collaboration on Vice.
The event also brought the wider creative community together, with music, fashion and art taking centre stage.
Rapper and media personality Moozlie added to the festival’s entertainment offering, bringing personality and style to the celebration of South African talent.
But why tell you about the vibe when you can experience it?
Hit play and join Darsh on the ground at Wits for the conversations, performances and moments that made this Mahindra Fusion Fest stop one to remember.
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