Johannesburg knows how to throw a party, but Delicious is more than just another festival, it’s a full-scale cultural moment where food, fashion, and music collide. This year’s DStv Delicious Festival was no different. From the first sip of champagne to the last note Lauryn Hill delivered under the Joburg night sky, it was a weekend that reminded us why this festival has become one of South Africa’s most anticipated gatherings.
Amazingly captured by: @mini__photography & @zito_ports_ edited by @hooduniversal
The Food: A Feast of Flavour
Walking through the food village felt like moving across continents. Aromas of sizzling spit braais clashed beautifully with fresh Asian fusion, wood-fired pizza, and stacked burgers. Local pride was strong too, thanks to ten Traders Academy graduates plating up their own creations proof that Delicious isn’t just a consumer event, it’s a platform for culinary entrepreneurs.
Amazingly captured by: @mini__photography & @zito_ports_ edited by @hooduniversal
The Fashion: A Runway Without Rules
Delicious has always been a place where Joburg style comes alive, and 2025 might have been the boldest edition yet. Streetwear and avant-garde looks stood shoulder-to-shoulder with picnic chic, while local designers like Lottie-efunk, Yhu Amadoda, and Ditsala Designs turned the festival into a fashion showcase. It wasn’t just about dressing up, it was about being seen, being remembered, and taking your turn on an outdoor runway.
Amazingly captured by: @mini__photography & @zito_ports_ edited by @hooduniversal
The Music: The Soul of Delicious
Day One gave us a heavy-hitting line-up: Kelvin Momo, Inkabi Zezwe, Kwesta, and DJ Zinhle delivered performances that had the crowd on their feet, while Don Toliver closed with Houston energy that matched Joburg’s pulse.
Amazingly captured by: @mini__photography & @zito_ports_ edited by @hooduniversal
Day Two, however, belonged to Lauryn Hill. Yes, she arrived late, a frustration at any festival but when she finally stepped onto the stage, the atmosphere shifted instantly. Backed by Wyclef Jean and a tight band, her set blended nostalgia with reinvention. Doo Wop (That Thing) had the crowd singing
Amazingly captured by: @mini__photography & @zito_ports_ edited by @hooduniversal
in unison, while her renditions from The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill reminded us why that album remains a timeless touchstone. Even with uneven sound mixing, Hill’s presence cut through. There’s something commanding about how she carries herself, a performer whose artistry feels less about polished perfection and more about raw connection. The night air filled with that signature rasp, and for many in the crowd, just being in the presence of a legend felt like a gift.
Amazingly captured by: @mini__photography & @zito_ports_ edited by @hooduniversal
Other Sunday highlights held their own, Zoë Modiga’s elegance, Mandisi Dyantyis’s soulful jazz, Lira’s unforgettable moment singing through a sound glitch, and Busiswa’s surprise cameo, but Lauryn Hill was the story everyone carried home.
The People: The Real Vibe
Festivals live or die by their crowds, and Joburg showed up prepared. Camp chairs, picnic blankets, and well-stocked coolers were the uniform of the day. Stylish, sun-ready, and social, Delicious crowds are as much a part of the spectacle as the artists on stage.
Amazingly captured by: @mini__photography & @zito_ports_ edited by @hooduniversal
The Highs and the Hiccups
What worked? The restrooms (shockingly clean all weekend), free bottled water, and a vibe that never dipped even under the high sun. What didn’t? Long waits for drinks (40 minutes in some cases), and sound issues that dimmed the shine of certain acts. For a festival of this stature, those technical misses stand out.
Why It Matters
Delicious is a reflection of Joburg itself, bold, stylish, complex, and endlessly layered. It’s not perfect, but it never fails to remind us of the cultural power this city holds. To see food entrepreneurs, fashion designers, and world-class musicians all sharing one platform is to witness the kind of ecosystem that keeps South African creativity pulsing.
Amazingly captured by: @mini__photography & @zito_ports_ edited by @hooduniversal
Walking away from Kyalami, the taste of spice and smoke still on our lips, we felt it: Delicious isn’t just about indulgence. It’s about celebrating the rhythms, flavours, and fashions that make us who we are.
