WeeklySA_AdminSPECTRUM: Fifteen leading DJs and vinyl selectors — including DJ Zinhle, DJ Kent and Kay Faith — join the inaugural Montreux Jazz Festival Franschhoek, broadening the event’s musical landscape with curated sound journeys across jazz, soul, house and rare groove…
By WSAM Reporter
The inaugural Montreux Jazz Festival Franschhoek has expanded its programme with an all-star line-up of DJs, vinyl selectors and musical curators, reinforcing the festival’s ambition to present a wide spectrum of contemporary music culture alongside its headline live performances.
Organisers this week announced that 15 respected DJs and selectors will form part of the festival’s musical offering when the event takes place from March 27 to 29 in the historic Cape Winelands town.
Among the artists confirmed are DJ Zinhle, DJ Kent, Kay Faith, That Guy S’bu, Trev The Japanese, Lelowhatsgood, DJ Mighty, DJ Kenzhero, Homie.Lover.Friend, Nelee, Charles Leonard, CandyFlip, the collaborative pairing of Cassiem Latief and Leighton Moody, and Europe-based selector Rosey Gold. Together, the group represents a diverse cross-section of South Africa’s contemporary music culture, spanning jazz, soul, house, hip-hop, rare groove and vinyl-led listening sessions.
Festival founder Mark Goedvolk said the inclusion of DJs and selectors reflects the long-standing philosophy of the globally renowned Montreux brand — celebrating discovery across musical forms and cultures.
“South Africa has produced some of the best DJs in the world and honouring their craft at this festival was the natural thing to do,” Goedvolk said.
“Montreux has always been about more than a single genre or format. It’s about the discovery of music in all its forms. These artists are an intrinsic part of the fabric of our communities, and their artistry deserves to take centre stage in its own right.”
The DJs will perform across several spaces during the festival, including the Arches Stage and the Jazz Village, where intimate vinyl listening sessions will complement high-energy DJ sets.
Festival organisers say the programming is designed to create a continuous musical experience from the moment the gates open until the final sets each evening, allowing audiences to move through different sonic environments — from relaxed listening sessions to dancefloor-driven performances.
Music and programming curator Lindsay Rhoda said selectors play a crucial role in shaping contemporary music culture.
“Many of them are extraordinary musical historians, digging deep into records and connecting genres, eras and communities,” Rhoda said.
“At Montreux Jazz Festival Franschhoek they are not there to fill space — they are there because they are exceptional curators of sound and part of a carefully curated programme.”
Among the highlights are broadcaster and vinyl connoisseur CandyFlip, celebrated record collector Charles Leonard, genre-crossing tastemaker Kay Faith, as well as globally recognised DJ and producer DJ Zinhle and house music pioneer DJ Kent.
Their presence underscores the festival’s belief that modern music culture is shaped not only by bands and instrumentalists, but also by the DJs and selectors who connect audiences with new sounds and forgotten gems. Beyond the musical programme, the festival is also being positioned as an important platform for cultural development and economic activity in the Western Cape.
Western Cape Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport Ricardo Mackenzie said events of this scale play a key role in strengthening the province’s creative economy.
“Festivals like Montreux Jazz Festival Franschhoek do more than entertain — they create jobs, grow local artistic skills and showcase South Africa’s talent to the world,” Mackenzie said.
“The Western Cape Government is proud to support events that drive both culture and economic opportunity for our communities.”
The Montreux Jazz Festival, founded in Switzerland in 1967, is regarded as one of the world’s most prestigious music festivals. Its Franschhoek edition marks the first time the event has been staged on African soil, bringing the iconic brand to the Cape’s wine valley.
Festival organisers say the addition of DJs ensures the music never stops across the weekend — keeping audiences dancing and discovering new sounds long after the headline performances conclude. – Len Maseko
EVENTS
La Motte Celebrates 2026 Harvest
Wine lovers and visitors to the Cape Winelands are invited to experience the energy and traditions of harvest season at La Motte Wine Estate through its immersive 2026 Harvest Experience, running from 23 January until mid-March.
Hosted at the estate in the picturesque valley of Franschhoek, the guided experience offers guests a rare behind-the-scenes look at the grape harvest and winemaking process.
The 90-minute journey begins in the vineyards, where participants learn about the estate’s grape varieties, harvesting methods and biologic farming practices while tasting freshly ripened berries straight from the vines.The tour then moves into the cellar for a glimpse of the winemaking action during harvest.
Visitors can observe grape sorting, crushing and fermentation processes, concluding with a tasting of fresh grape must directly from the fermentation tanks, depending on the day’s activity.
Back in the tasting room, guests sample four wines from La Motte’s acclaimed Reserve Collection, accompanied by the estate’s traditional mosbolletjie bread.
An optional harvest-inspired small plate, created by chef Stephan Moolman of L’Ami Family Brasserie, can be enjoyed on the veranda overlooking the gardens.
The Harvest Experience costs R300 per person, runs Monday to Saturday at 10h00 and 15h00, and requires advance reservation online.
Soweto Cheese & Wine Fest
The Soweto Cheese and Wine Festival returns for its fifth edition on March 29 at the Soweto Theatre Forecourt in Jabulani, promising a full day of food, wine and entertainment.
Organised by Soweto Cheese and Wine Live and Seven Colour Sundays in partnership with the Soweto Theatre, the event will feature curated cheese and wine pairings from local winemakers and established brands, including Tall Horse. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of food stalls, designer fashion and lifestyle exhibitions.
Running from 12h00 to 23h00, the family-friendly festival will include children’s entertainment until 17h00, along with live music and performances. Tickets cost R150 and are available through Webtickets.
Stellenbosch Street Soirées
The popular Stellenbosch Street Soirées return this summer, offering wine lovers an opportunity to enjoy tastings, food and live music in the heart of the winelands on March 11 and 25.Hosted along Drostdy Street in Stellenbosch, the evening street parties run from 18h00 to 20h00, when the road is closed to traffic and transformed into a festive outdoor venue. Guests can sample a rotating selection of wines from different estates while enjoying light meals from local food stalls and live performances by local musicians.Upcoming events take place on March 11 and 25. Tickets cost R250 per person and include a tasting glass and 10 wine tokens. Tickets are available online from Plankton.mobi.
Wine Fest In Jozi
The Victoria Yards Wine Festival will take place on March 21 at the creative Victoria Yards precinct in Lorentzville, Johannesburg.
The event will bring together more than 15 South African wine producers for a day of tastings, music and food. Running from 10h00 to 16h00, the festival offers visitors a relaxed opportunity to sample a variety of wines while enjoying live music and a selection of local food vendors.
Tickets cost R120 and include entry, a tasting glass and access to all participating wine farms. The pet-friendly event promises a vibrant atmosphere, making it an ideal outing for friends, families and wine enthusiasts alike.
Durbanville Under Stars
Durbanville Wine Valley is to host its much-anticipated “Tasting Under the Stars” on March 12.
As vineyards hum with the energy of harvest, participating wineries across the valley will extend their trading hours to around 21:00, hosting individual experiences that celebrate the season’s abundance.
“Tasting Under the Stars” sees each participating cellar curate its own harvest-inspired event, as part of several events taking place marking the end of harvest in the region.
Bookings must be made directly with each participating winery.
Full details of all experiences are available on the valley’s website, www.durbanvillewine.co.. – Compiled by Len Maseko: lenmaseko@weeklysamirror.news
