International superstars Ne-Yo, Mary Mary and Yolanda Adams are set to headline the inaugural Essence Festival Durban.
Taking place between 8 and 13 November at the iconic Durban ICC and the Moses Mabhida Stadium, the highly-anticipated event is the local version of the world-renowned Essence Festival that takes place annually in New Orleans, America.
The festival will include a hotly-anticipated two-day music concert on Saturday 12 November and Sunday 13 November.
The first night of the two-day music concert will be dedicated to the best of African hip hop, afro-soul, kwaito and house music. Megastars Cassper Nyovest, WizKid, Burna Boy, AKA and Riky Rick will take to the stage on the day.
Added to the line-up is Thandiswa Mazwai, DJ Zinhle, Black Coffee, Tira, DJ Zinhle, Oskido, Big Nuz and Babes Wodumo. With Minnie Dlamini and Somizi Mhlongo serving as MC's, R&B crooner Ne-Yo will dazzle concert-goers as the international act.
On the second day of the festival, gospel music will take centre stage, with Joyous Celebration, Sfiso Ncwane, Dr Tumi, Thobekile, Hlengiwe Mhlaba, Malusi Mbokazi, Izinceku and Ntokozo Mbambo taking to the stage. Grammy-winning Ladysmith Black Mambazo will also perform. Mary Mary and Yolanda Adams complete the lineup.
"This festival enhances our destination image by creating global awareness and attracting tourism business to generate future inbound travel," Head of Durban Tourism Phillip Sithole expressed.
"We are hoping that through this partnership with Essence, we can infiltrate the USA market and the rest of the African continent to encourage visitors arrivals to our city".
Steve Harvey, Estelle Swaray and Kelly Price are set to make an appearance during the festival. More on that later.
