Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve will host a new South African festival as Rooted Fest 2026 makes its debut on Saturday, 26 September 2026. Presented in partnership with the Gauteng Department of Environment and in association with Kaya FM and TRACE Ngoma, Rooted Fest is centred on South African music, food, culture, creativity and conscious living.
Guided by the theme “Leave No Trace,” Rooted Fest is built around the idea that South Africans can celebrate their culture while remaining conscious of the environment. Organisers describe it as an immersive day in nature intended to show how entertainment, culture and environmental responsibility can coexist.
Makhadzi leads the Rooted Fest line-up
Makhadzi is the first artist confirmed to perform at the inaugural Rooted Fest, at Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve. The full Rooted Fest 2026 line-up will be revealed on Friday, 4 September 2026. Beyond the main stage, Rooted Fest will offer a series of curated experiences across the reserve. Guests can expect a food experience curated by Chef Mahlomola Thamae and Chef Anton Vermeulen, an interactive bar experience curated by Matte and Soda, alongside dedicated spaces for green living, family, creativity and South African culture.
Leave no trace
Sustainability is central to Rooted Fest’s planning. Together with the Gauteng Department of Environment, the festival will apply environmental considerations across its planning, infrastructure, waste management, vendor operations and guest experience.
Andrew Mathabathe, corporate communications spokesperson for the Gauteng Department of Environment, says: “Rooted Fest presents an exciting opportunity to connect people with Gauteng’s natural environment in a way that is engaging, relevant and responsible. Through the ‘Leave No Trace’ theme, we want to demonstrate that major cultural experiences can take place in our natural spaces while still prioritising their protection. We hope the festival inspires visitors not only to enjoy Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve, but to recognise the role we all play in preserving Gauteng’s natural heritage for future generations.”
Rooted Fest will also introduce new audiences to Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve, positioned by organisers as part of Gauteng’s broader culture, lifestyle and tourism offering. [Flag: “showcasing the province’s natural assets” reads as promotional framing — attributed to organisers rather than stated as fact; confirm this reflects the intended tone.]
Rooted in home
Rooted Fest is inspired by the places, sounds, tastes, memories and experiences described by organisers as central to South African identity. Ayandamantombazanekayise Mhlongo, Rooted Fest spokesperson, says: “Rooted is about home, celebrating where we come from while being intentional about what we leave behind. We wanted to create an experience where incredible South African music, food, culture and creativity could exist alongside nature and environmental consciousness.
“Leave No Trace is more than our theme. It is the commitment behind how we want to build Rooted. We want people to come, celebrate, dance, eat, discover and experience Suikerbosrand, and leave it as beautiful as they found it.”
Rooted Fest 2026
- Date: Saturday, 26 September 2026
- Venue: Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve, Gauteng
- Time: 10:00–18:00
- First artist announced: Makhadzi
- Full line-up reveal: Friday, 4 September 2026
- Theme: Leave No Trace
- Presented in partnership with: Gauteng Department of Environment
- In association with: Kaya FM and TRACE Ngoma
Ticketing information and further festival details will be announced across Rooted Fest’s official platforms.
