Now you may not be in Cape Town this March, but that doesn’t mean you have to miss all the vibes that come with a good sunset. The Corona Sunsets Festival returns to national television this March as SABC 1 once again partners with the iconic music and lifestyle event, bringing one of South Africa’s most distinctive open-air experiences to screens across the country.
Festival Fever Hits SABC 1 With Corona Sunsets Broadcast
The Corona Sunsets Festival will see headline performances from Grammy Award-winners Purple Disco Machine and Zakes Bantwini, alongside Sun-El Musician, Msaki, DJ Kent, Liquideep, Mila-Rose, Blakongo, Roz b2b Housewife, Meek, and a once-off sunset performance by the Ndlovu Youth Choir.
The renewed collaborationbetween SABC 1 and Corona Sunsets follows the successful broadcast of the Johannesburg edition, which saw SABC deliver the golden-hour experience into homes nationwide for the first time. Building on that momentum, the Cape Town broadcast marks the next chapter in extending the Corona Sunsets Festival beyond the festival grounds and onto the national stage.
More than a music showcase, the SABC 1 special will immerse viewers in the festival’s defining Sunset Moment, aerial performances, immersive art installations, and its signature More Than Music offering – including curated wellness experiences, creative expression spaces, drum circles, and sustainable food activations that extend the experience beyond the stage.
For Corona, the continued partnership with SABC reflects a shared commitment to celebrating culture at scale.
“SABC 1 has long been a platform where South Africans see themselves reflected – in music, storytelling, and shared national moments,” says Melanie Nicholson, Head of Brand: Corona South Africa. “Bringing the Corona Sunsets Festival back to SABC 1 allows that golden-hour experience to travel beyond Cape Town and into homes across the country.”
The collaboration also reinforces SABC 1’s role in shaping live entertainment experiences for national audiences.
Hosts With The Mosts
At the centre of this year’s broadcast are Metro FM breakfast host Sabelo “DJ Sabby” Mtshali and acclaimed actress and media broadcaster Hope Mbhele.
DJ Sabby, host of Metro FM’s primetime Best Mornings show and known for hosting some of South Africa’s biggest award shows, such as the South African Music Awards, brings his authority in music and live broadcasting to the festival stage.
“Returning to host the Corona Sunset Festival in Cape Town feels like a full-circle moment. Coming back to a stage that celebrates organic energy, music, being in the moment, and connection and reuniting with Hope Mbhele after hosting the Metro FM Awards nominations in Durban makes it even more meaningful,” – DJ Sabby
Joining him for her first Corona Sunsets Festival broadcast is Hope Mbhele. Widely recognised for her roles in SABC1’s ‘Uzalo’ and in ‘Shaka iLembe’, Mbhele’s growing influence across TV and digital platforms makes her one of the most compelling voices of her generation.
“There’s something incredibly special about the sunset in Cape Town,” says Mbhele. “To experience that energy live – and then share it with viewers across the country alongside DJ Sabby – feels like being part of something bigger than just a show. It’s a celebration of nature, creativity, and connection.”
Together, they will guide viewers through the 2026 Corona Sunsets Festival from The Glen Country Club in Clifton, Cape Town, on Saturday, 21 March 2026 – airing on SABC 1 and available for streaming on SABC Plus.
“Hope Mbhele and DJ Sabby understand what resonates with South African audiences because they’re part of the culture every single day,” says Dichaba Phalatse, Marketing Manager Video Entertainment: SABC. “After the success of the Johannesburg broadcast, bringing the Corona Sunsets Festival to Cape Town on SABC 1 – and to audiences on SABC Plus – continues that shared national experience.”
As anticipation builds for the Cape Town edition, the 2026 broadcast builds on Johannesburg’s televised success and positions the Corona Sunsets Festival not only as a live event, but as a cultural television moment – where performance, atmosphere, and audience come together on a national stage.
Watching The Sunset
- Broadcast Channels: SABC 1, SABC Plus
- Date: Saturday, 21 March 2026
- Venue: The Glen Country Club, Clifton, Cape Town
- Time: 19:30 – 21:30
Joining The Sunset
- Date: Saturday, 21 March 2026
- Time: 12h00 – 23h00
- Venue: The Glen Country Club, Clifton
Tickets are available here and start from R850.
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