Durban – The Station in Stamford Hill hosted the first-ever Durban July Edition of Hennessy Presents: Kabza & Friends, a night curated by Kabza De Small to celebrate South African music, fashion, and culture.
The event on Friday, 3 July 2026, uncovered a new cultural chapter: the Hennessy experience on the eve of the Durban July.
From the moment the doors opened, the atmosphere was electric.
Durban July style: glitz and glamour were on full display—fashion, bold prints, and statement looks paraded on the red carpet.
Inside, the guests came prepared for music.
There was a distinct buzz in the build-up to Kabza’s performance, with fans gathering early and staying close to the stage.
When Kabza finally took over, the room moved as one.
For Zawadi Yamungu, being part of the lineup was a milestone.
The artist took the stage with a clear sense of gratitude and purpose.
“I am so grateful to be performing at Hennessy x Kabza & Friends. It’s a big moment for me,” Zawadi said.
On a night billed as a celebration of South African talent, Zawadi’s performance was focused and well-polished.
Ricky Lenyora was also in the building and shared the same excitement.
“I feel excited being at the event, and obviously it’s gonna be nice. I’m looking out for a great night. People must have fun and enjoy themselves,” Ricky said.
The event’s tone matched Hennessy’s key messages: music, creativity, collaboration, and community.
It wasn’t just about headliners—it was about creating a premium space where emerging and established artists could share the same stage.
For Yamungu, that mattered.
“To be on a platform like this with Hennessy and Kabza is really special,” she noted.
Events like this show how far South African music and creativity have come, and how artists are united.”
The crowd agreed.
The energy never dipped.
Attendees moved between performances, conversations, and fashion moments, but music stayed at the center.
Sandile Mlambo, a guest, captured the mood perfectly, saying: “The way the event was peaceful and fun, it was incredible.”
He said he enjoyed all the performances, especially Dlala Thukzin.
That balance—high energy without chaos, premium without being stiff—defined the night. It felt like Durban celebrating itself, on its own terms, for the first time through this lens.
The timing for Yamungu couldn’t be better.
Beyond the Hennessy stage, she’s also set to perform at the Durban July and is preparing to release her upcoming album.
If the Hennessy show was a marker, it’s one that points forward.
The set, the crowd reaction, and the performance were proof the artist is hitting her stride at a time the city is yearning for new voices.
With the first Durban edition now in the books, the takeaway was simple: the city showed up.
The guests stayed for the music, and artists like Kabza De Small, DJ Tira, and Dlala Thukzin are helping chart what comes next for South African culture on a national stage.
