WeeklySA_AdminEXCHANGE: Johannesburg’s RMB Latitudes Art Fair once again drew artists, collectors and cultural tastemakers from across the continent, with Nigeria’s vibrant art scene taking centre stage in a celebration of African creativity, collaboration and market exchange…
By Jacob Mawela
The fourth edition of the RMB Latitudes Art Fair has once again reinforced its reputation as one of Africa’s premier platforms for contemporary art, drawing artists, galleries, collectors and cultural enthusiasts to Shepstone Gardens in Johannesburg from May 22 to 24.
This year’s event built on its growing stature as a dynamic meeting point for African creativity, dialogue and cultural exchange.
With Nigeria at the heart of the fair’s 2026 International Focus programme, RMB Latitudes shone a spotlight on one of the continent’s most vibrant art scenes, strengthening creative and market ties between Lagos and Johannesburg.
Developed in partnership with Yenwa Gallery, the initiative began with a curated exhibition in Lagos in April before culminating in a dedicated Nigeria Pavilion at the Johannesburg fair, where more than 40 artists presented works reflecting Nigeria’s diverse cultural identity through a range of media.
Organisers said the International Focus programme, introduced in 2023, has become a meaningful vehicle for cross-continental collaboration by engaging artists within their own contexts before presenting their work to broader audiences at the fair.
RMB Latitudes co-founder Lucy MacGarry said the programme helps foster long-term relationships while introducing fresh perspectives into the fair’s ecosystem.
Beyond the official programme, the Nigeria Pavilion also delivered commercially, with exhibitors reporting strong collector interest and encouraging sales.
For participants such as Emalohi Iruobe of Root Formula, the fair highlighted the power of pan-African artistic collaboration, offering a creative counterpoint to periodic political tensions between South Africa and Nigeria.
Among the standout artists was Cape Town-based Dada Khanyisa, whose immersive installation Above and Beyond earned the Lexus Best Stand Audience Award. Presented in a striking hexagonal turret known as The Round Room, Khanyisa’s sculptural paintings captivated visitors with their playful yet layered reflections on youth culture, belonging and collective identity.
The work’s bold visual language and inventive spatial presentation made it one of the fair’s most talked-about attractions.
Another major accolade went to Reservoir, which won the Lexus Best Stand Award following adjudication by a panel of respected art figures, including veteran artist Pat Mautloa and University of Johannesburg dean Federico Freschi.
The fair also featured INDEX 2026, a National Arts Council-supported platform showcasing independent artists from across the continent, aimed at improving artist visibility and market access.
In keeping with its expanding creative footprint, RMB Latitudes also deepened its design offering through the return of the Design Showcase, featuring more than 25 African brands working across ceramics, leathercraft and contemporary design disciplines. This broadened the fair’s appeal beyond traditional fine art, reflecting the increasingly interdisciplinary nature of Africa’s creative economy.
Set against the historic backdrop of Shepstone Gardens, this year’s fair embraced the theme Oasis, marking Johannesburg’s 140th anniversary and celebrating the city’s enduring ability to reinvent itself.
With its blend of artistic excellence, cultural exchange and social prestige, RMB Latitudes Art Fair has once again demonstrated why it remains a must-attend fixture on Africa’s cultural calendar.
ENTERTAINMENT Briefs
Mi Casa headlines Durban concert
Durban’s winter entertainment calendar is set to come alive when acclaimed South African band Mi Casa joins forces with rising singer-songwriter lordkez for the 2026 launch of Old Mutual Music at the Lake at the Durban Botanic Gardens.
The special Father’s Day concert, scheduled for June 21, will officially open the popular outdoor music series, which has become one of Durban’s most cherished live entertainment experiences.
Set against the scenic backdrop of the gardens’ lake area, audiences can expect an afternoon of live music, relaxed outdoor leisure and family-friendly festivities. Mi Casa, known for its soulful house sound and energetic live performances, will headline the event with a selection of fan favourites and chart-topping hits.
Adding a different musical texture to the line-up will be lordkez, whose introspective and genre-blending sound continues to attract growing national attention. Organisers say her performance is expected to bring a soulful and emotive dimension to the afternoon’s entertainment.
Concertgoers are encouraged to embrace the event’s picnic-style atmosphere by bringing picnic baskets, cooler boxes, blankets and camping chairs for a laid-back winter afternoon under Durban’s skies.
Beyond the music, the concert also supports the Garden Window Project, a Durban Botanic Gardens initiative focused on environmental awareness, skills development and community upliftment.
The gates open at 2pm, with organisers promising another memorable season of live music in one of the city’s most picturesque outdoor venues.
McKnight leads ultimate SA tour
Fans of classic R&B are in for a nostalgic musical experience when American hitmakers Brian McKnight, SWV and All-4-One bring their “Ultimate R&B Experience Tour” to South Africa later this year.
The highly anticipated concert tour will include a stop at Grand West in Cape Town on October 28 and at SunBet Arena in Pretoria on October 30 and 31, where audiences can expect an evening packed with timeless love songs, soulful harmonies and chart-topping classics.
Brian McKnight, celebrated globally for romantic ballads such as Back at One, One Last Cry and Anytime, will headline the concert alongside legendary R&B groups SWV and All-4-One. SWV, famous for hits including Weak and Right Here, is expected to bring its signature 1990s energy and vocal power to the stage, while All-4-One will revive memories with favourites such as I Swear and I Can Love You Like That.
Music lovers and old-school R&B fans are expected to turn out in large numbers for what is shaping up to be one of the country’s major international concert attractions of the year.
Whalum to serenade SA jazz lovers
Grammy-nominated American saxophonist Kirk Whalum is set to headline the 2026 Gauteng Soul and Jazz Concert at the SunBet Arena on June 13.
The internationally celebrated jazz musician will lead a powerful line-up of South African stars that includes Judith Sephuma, Lira, Zonke and Mafikizolo in what organisers are describing as one of the country’s premium live music experiences of the year.
Organised by Remoakantse Holdings, the annual concert has built a reputation for blending international jazz excellence with leading South African soul and Afro-pop talent.
Whalum, best known globally for his soulful saxophone work on Whitney Houston’s iconic hit I Will Always Love You, said South African audiences remain among his favourites.
“South Africa holds a special place in my heart. The energy, the audiences and the deep love for music make every visit unforgettable,” said the acclaimed musician ahead of the show.
Concertgoers can expect an evening of smooth jazz, soul and Afro-pop collaborations, backed by world-class production and a sophisticated atmosphere that has become synonymous with the Gauteng Soul and Jazz Concert brand. Remoakantse Holdings CEO DJ Skeelo said the event is designed to deliver more than entertainment.
The concert forms part of a growing calendar of major international and local music showcases hosted at SunBet Arena, reinforcing Pretoria’s position as a key destination for live entertainment in South Africa.
