Tshwane lights up: Ring in the New Year with cultural revelry

The first significant celebration since 2019 will be the City of Tshwane's annual New Year's Eve crossover festival, which was put on hold a few years ago to save money.

This was the sentiment expressed by Mayor Nasiphi Moya at the launch of the festival on Friday at Fountain Valley, where the crossover bash will be hosted.

“For many years this festival was a tradition that brought our communities together. Like many things in our lives the Covid years changed that,” she said.

She said the celebration is a way of honouring Tshwane residents' spirit, acknowledging their endurance through "pressures and uncertainties”.

“Tshwane’s New Year Eve festival is a chance to rebuild a tradition and a culture that brought families, young people and visitors together in a safe and joyful environment. It is a moment to reclaim our shared spaces and to welcome the New Year with dignity, unity and love,” she said.

Moya added that the much-anticipated celebration will serve as a reminder that Tshwane is a city worth visiting and worth spending time in.

“We want the residents to feel proud of their city. We want them to know that they don’t have to travel far to enjoy a meaningful holiday. Their adventure is right here at home waiting for them,” she said.

Moya said the festival relaunch will uplift Tshwane's artists, performers and traders – boosting local tourism and offering families free, affordable fun.

“It also gives our young people a platform to express themselves and to take pride in where they come from,” she said.

She advised residents to lead the festive season with care, responsibility, respect for themselves and others.

“This festival gives us the opportunity to offer a safe way to welcome the New Year. A safe celebration is our highest priority. Our teams across the city are working with partners to ensure that every event meets the standard required for public safety. This includes transport planning, emergency services, compliance and coordination across all various departments,” she said.

Organisers from Hot Sauce Productions, said revellers must get ready for an electrifying entertainment line-up and an unforgettable experience.

The event will feature up to 40 artists and DJs, blending amapiano, kwaito, deep house, Afro-Tec, bacardi and lekompo.

The festival boasts big names such as Tuks Senganga, Fifi Cooper, Kamo Mphela, Thebe, Boom Shaka, K.O and Kwesta.

People can look forward to having diverse food and markets showcasing local cuisine.

The highlight of the event will be marked with a spectacular fireworks display at midnight to usher in 2026 with a bang.

Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Community Safety Hannes Coetzee said: “We will make sure that the residents of Tshwane are safe. We have already handed in the safety plan to the SAPS as well as the Tshwane Metro Police Department and Emergency Services.” 

He added that a risk-assessment will be conducted at the venue and a medical support will be onsite.

“We will also be looking at the health certificate when it comes to food safety so that people don’t have to be worried. They can eat as much as they want to. We will be able to take you home afterwards,” he said.

He warned against drunk-driving, saying the city has made arrangements for buses to pick up people from park and ride spaces.

MMC for Environment and Agriculture Management Obakeng Ramabodu encouraged people to come and enjoy themselves and to keep the venue litter-free.

“We want this area to remain the way it is. It is very clean,” he said.

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