PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

30 September 2026

Ugu Maskandi Festival Draws Full House and Boosts KZN South Coast Tourism

The 6th edition of the Ugu Maskandi Festival delivered a successful celebration of Maskandi music and culture, drawing a full-capacity crowd and creating a vibrant atmosphere across the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast.

The festival, held on 26 September 2026, attracted visitors from across KwaZulu-Natal and beyond, contributing to a particularly busy weekend for the destination. Accommodation establishments reported strong demand, while restaurants, retail outlets, tourism attractions and other local businesses benefited from the influx of visitors.

SCTIE CEO, Dr Vusumuzi Sibiya, said the festival demonstrated the important role that major cultural events play in driving tourism and supporting the local economy. “The success of the Ugu Maskandi Festival highlights the strong connection between our events, culture and tourism economy. A full-capacity event brings visitors to our destination, fills accommodation establishments and creates opportunities for local businesses. We congratulate the organisers and all partners who contributed to making this a successful weekend for the KZN South Coast.”

Festival organiser Mr Siyabonga Mkhungu expressed his appreciation to everyone who supported the event. “We are extremely pleased with the response to this year’s Ugu Maskandi Festival. Seeing the venue at full capacity and people travelling to the South Coast to experience Maskandi and our culture was truly special. We thank our sponsors, partners, artists, the community and everyone who attended for making the 6th edition a success.”

The successful festival further reinforces the KZN South Coast’s position as a destination for music, culture, entertainment and memorable visitor experiences.

For more information and to plan your Heritage Month getaway, visit www.visitkznsouthcoast.co.za.

 

Rediscover Unlimited Experiences on the KZN South Coast!

 

Follow the hashtags #RediscoverKZNSouthCoast #RediscoverExperiences #ExperienceTheSouthCoast #KZNSouthCoast #RediscoverAdventure #RediscoverHeritage

 

Keep updated on all on South Coast activities by visiting the KZN South Coast website; following South Coast Tourism on Facebook; South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise on YouTube; @infosouthcoast on Twitter or Instagram; and South Coast Tourism & Investment Enterprise on LinkedIn. And click here to check out previous SCTIE press releases. Watch why KZN South Coast is a top tourism destination here.

 

 

/ENDS

Please note the image credit is included beneath the corresponding image. All images are complimentary for media use, provided the correct photographer credit is included, and the images are published in conjunction with the content supplied.

 

High resolution images: https://we.tl/t-ekUq4jnMHKeZen0H

About KZN South Coast

 

Known as the ‘Paradise of the Zulu Kingdom, the KZN South Coast stretches 120 kilometres from Scottburgh to Port Edward and inland to Harding. Here, the spirit of adventure can be discovered among the many cultural experiences, as well as the 35 nature trails and 58 beaches, ideal for activities like river rafting, abseiling, suspension bridges, paintball, surfing, SUP, canoeing, beach horse rides, shark cage diving and free diving. Nicknamed ‘The Golf Coast’, there are 11 golf courses on the KZN South Coast ranging in difficulty, with endless hiking, mountain biking and 4×4 trails for more rugged excursions. Promoting sustainability, the KZN South Coast has a growing agri-tourism sector that offers world-class produce and hosts tours and excursions. The region boasts several permanently managed Blue Flag beaches and is home to some of the world’s top diving sites, Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks. The originality continues with the annual Sardine Run, coined the #GreatestShoalonEarth, which is the largest biomass migration on earth and a marvel to witness. The region’s many nature reserves are inhabited by indigenous birds and wildlife, and it holds the title of ‘smallest desert on earth’, The Red Desert in Port Edward. The KZN South Coast is a fast-emerging MICE destination which has played host to several high-profile events including The Bike Fest, The Conservation Symposium, The Ocean Festival, Uvukile Gospel Festival, Ugu Jazz, Ugu International Film Festival, and the South Coast Fever MTB & Trail Run Series, The Ugu Maskandi Festival, South Coast Marathon.

 

About KZN South Coast

 

Known as the ‘Paradise of the Zulu Kingdom, the KZN South Coast stretches 120 kilometres from Scottburgh to Port Edward and inland to Harding. Here, the spirit of adventure can be discovered among the many cultural experiences, as well as the 35 nature trails and 58 beaches, ideal for activities like river rafting, abseiling, suspension bridges, paintball, surfing, SUP, canoeing, beach horse rides, shark cage diving and free diving. Nicknamed ‘The Golf Coast’, there are 11 golf courses on the KZN South Coast ranging in difficulty, with endless hiking, mountain biking and 4×4 trails for more rugged excursions. Promoting sustainability, the KZN South Coast has a growing agri-tourism sector that offers world-class produce and hosts tours and excursions. The region boasts several permanently managed Blue Flag beaches and is home to some of the world’s top diving sites, Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks. The originality continues with the annual Sardine Run, coined the #GreatestShoalonEarth, which is the largest biomass migration on earth and a marvel to witness. The region’s many nature reserves are inhabited by indigenous birds and wildlife, and it holds the title of ‘smallest desert on earth’, The Red Desert in Port Edward. The KZN South Coast is a fast-emerging MICE destination which has played host to several high-profile events including The Bike Fest, The Conservation Symposium, The Ocean Festival, Uvukile Gospel Festival, Ugu Jazz, Ugu International Film Festival, and the South Coast Fever MTB & Trail Run Series, The Ugu Maskandi Festival, South Coast Marathon.