The sound of reggae and Afro rhythms will once again fill the air in Tembisa, Johannesburg, as Gungano Festival returns this weekend to mark its second anniversary. What started in the heart of the ghetto has grown into one of South Africa’s most vibrant cultural gatherings, a celebration of unity, African pride, and musical heritage.
The two-day event brings together Dancehall, Afrobeat, and Roots Reggae Dub in one space. Saturday’s Dancehall & Afro Day sets the energy high with rhythmic fusion and Caribbean-African sounds, while Sunday’s Coronation Dub Sunday honors the coronation of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I in 1930, a date held sacred in reggae and Rastafari culture.
This year’s lineup blends legends with rising talents. Among the featured artists is Elder Jah Crucial, a pioneer who helped shape South Africa’s reggae scene since the 1970s and used his voice to stand against apartheid. Joining him is Luwe Da Lion, a reggae dancehall force and three-time South African Music Awards nominee, and Anela Jahmena, often called the Queen of South African Reggae, known for her commanding performances across Europe.
The name Gungano comes from the Shona language of Zimbabwe, meaning “coming together in celebration.” The festival’s timing in November—known as Mbudzi in Shona tradition—carries deep meaning. It is a month tied to renewal, ancestral connection, and spiritual reflection, when healers gather herbs from the mountains. That symbolism fits the festival’s core message: unity, healing, and joy through music.
Founded by Don Franco Tafari, a reggae artist, and Munyaradzi Edwin Manzunzu, his longtime manager and schoolmate, Gungano was born from more than two decades of friendship and creative vision.
“Gungano is not only a festival; it’s a movement of consciousness and togetherness,” says Tafari. “We are keeping African reggae alive, celebrating our roots, and building a cultural bridge that unites generations.”
Following the success of last year’s edition, Gungano Festival 2025: Reggae in the Park promises an even bigger experience, with live bands, selectors, dub sound systems, and a powerful showcase of African and Caribbean artistry.
A celebration of roots, rhythm, and revival, Gungano Festival continues to remind the world that reggae’s heartbeat thrives in Africa.