Nomfundo Moh and The Brother Moves On to Headline Free Ngeke! Festival in Johannesburg

South African musicians Nomfundo Moh, The Brother Moves On, Xtreem Makhayeni, BLVQ IRIS and ZANAH are among the performers announced for the second edition of the Ngeke! Festival in Johannesburg.

The free festival will take place on Saturday, November 7, at The Nest in New Doornfontein, bringing together established and emerging artists for an evening of live music and social awareness.

Returning after its debut at Constitution Hill in 2025, which attracted more than 600 attendees, the festival uses music to encourage South Africans to reject corruption and take greater responsibility for their actions.

Its slogan, “Say Ngeke!”, is drawn from the isiZulu word meaning “never”. This year’s campaign encourages people to reject everyday practices that contribute to corruption.

Star-studded musical line-up

Afro-pop singer Nomfundo Moh will close the live performance programme. She rose to prominence with her 2020 debut single, “Lilizela”, and later released her album Amagama in 2022, featuring popular tracks including “Umthwalo” and “Phakade Lami”.

Johannesburg-based collective The Brother Moves On will also perform, bringing its blend of music, storytelling and performance art.

Xtreem Makhayeni, who performed at the inaugural festival, returns to the stage. The 2025 Fair Play South Africa winner uses music to highlight issues affecting his community.

Cape Town rapper, producer and songwriter BLVQ IRIS will perform alongside The Crossroads, combining hip-hop, jazz and African musical influences. ZANAH completes the line-up with music exploring heritage, identity, ancestral memory and empowerment.

DJ Nodiggity will open and close the evening, while LERAI will host the event.

Using music to challenge corruption

Beyond entertainment, Ngeke! Festival aims to address everyday actions that encourage corruption, including offering bribes at roadblocks, paying to skip queues and ignoring wrongdoing.

The festival is partnering with Corruption Watch, a social justice organisation that promotes transparency, accountability and clean governance.

The organisation recently launched its Impepe Campaign, encouraging South Africans to report corruption and speak out against wrongdoing.

Xtreem Makhayeni said the festival was about challenging practices that have become normalised in society.

“Every South African knows what a cold drink is. We’ve made it a joke because it’s easier than calling it what it is. Ngeke! is about refusing that, and doing it with a crowd behind you,” he said.

Festivalgoers encouraged to take the pledge

Attendees will also be invited to take the Ngeke! Pledge, introduced during the festival’s first edition in 2025.

The pledge has three commitments:

• Ngeke ngithule (I won’t keep quiet): Speaking out when witnessing corruption.
• Ngeke ngikwenze (I won’t do it): Refusing to offer or accept bribes or abuse positions of power.
• Ngeke ngiye ngedwa (I won’t go at it alone): Working with others to promote accountability and challenge corruption.

The inaugural festival at Constitution Hill featured Zoë Modiga, BCUC, Onset Music Group and Xtreem Makhayeni, attracting more than 600 people.

Matt Clark, programmes and marketing director at JM International, said the initiative provides young artists with a platform to address social issues through creativity.

“The fight against corruption is global, but it must be fought locally,” he said.

Date, venue and tickets

The Ngeke! Festival will take place on Saturday, November 7, from 6pm to 11pm at The Nest, 39 Voorhout Street, New Doornfontein, Johannesburg.

Admission is free, with doors opening at 6pm. Tickets are available through the Ngeke! Festival website.

The event is delivered by JM International, the European Union Delegation to South Africa, the EU-funded Enhancing Accountability Technical Assistance Facility, Transparency International, Corruption Watch and the Public Protector South Africa.