25 September 2025
Johannesburg, South Africa – The DStv Delicious International Food & Music Festival 2025 brought the house down with a star-studded lineup, including international reggae and dancehall sensations such as YG Marley,a surprise appearance by Spragga Benz, Zion Marley, and the legendary Ms. Lauryn Hill, The reggae takeover was real but for many South African reggae artists and fans, it also brought a bitter taste.
The local reggae community is speaking out after what they describe as a blatant exclusion from the festival’s reggae-heavy showcase. Despite reggae being a central theme of this year’s musical experience, not a single South African reggae artist was featured on the main stage or anywhere else.
“Wagwaan Mzansi Reggae and Dancehall,” writes reggae selector and cultural activist Selekta Don in a widely shared social media post. “Deh from DStv Delicious 2025, reggae takeover to di fullest... but we nah have official reggae party in our land? Nah good at all. Nor even our reggae stars in our land? None?”
This sentiment echoes across the local scene, where artists and DJs have long worked to preserve and elevate reggae culture in South Africa. From Cape Town to Joburg, Mzansi’s reggae artists have cultivated a vibrant movement rooted in conscious lyrics, pan-African identity, and resistance values that reggae has always championed globally.
“One Love” – But Not for Local Talent?
Many in the reggae fraternity feel that this year's festival missed a crucial opportunity to uplift and showcase homegrown talent. While the international artists drew massive crowds and delivered unforgettable performances, the absence of South African reggae voices highlighted a troubling pattern of exclusion.
South Africa is no stranger to world-class reggae talent. Artists like The late Lucky Dube,The Meditators, Black Dillinger, Bongo Riot and newer voices like Reign Afrika, Botanist, Dimahr, Skeleton Blazer and Burning Fire Sound have kept the spirit of roots reggae, dancehall, and dub alive in townships and suburbs across the country.
Yet, year after year, local reggae seems to be sidelined when the big stages come calling.
A Call for Inclusion, Not Just Celebration
While many reggae fans were thrilled to witness the likes of YG Marley and Spragga Benz grace the stage, the joy is now mixed with frustration and disappointment. Some community members are calling for more intentional inclusion moving forward not just token slots, but full representation on lineups that reflect the diversity and talent within South Africa’s borders.
What Now?
The controversy has sparked broader discussions around representation in South Africa’s major music festivals. While platforms like the DStv Delicious Festival have made strides in showcasing Black international excellence, many are now urging organizers to reflect that same energy toward empowering local Black music cultures reggae included.
In the spirit of reggae’s message of unity, resistance, and upliftment, the call is clear: Don’t just celebrate reggae include those who live and breathe it here in Mzansi.
