Being part of Old Mutual Music at the Lake was a special honour for J Sbu, who took to the stage at the beautiful Durban Botanic Gardens alongside two of South Africa’s most celebrated female voices, Lira and Nomfundo Moh, as part of a spectacular Women’s Day celebration on the 9 Auguts 2026.
The event was more than just a concert. It was a celebration of women, music, culture and the power of coming together,s and for J Sbu, it was an opportunity to do what he does best: create a memorable experience for the people in front of him.
But delivering that experience meant being willing to break format.
Rather than being boxed into a particular genre or sticking rigidly to a predetermined DJ set, J Sbu made a conscious decision to let the audience lead the music. His goal was simple: satisfy the crowd holistically.
“It felt right to just let the music work its magic,” says J Sbu. “It wasn’t about a genre. It was about the people, the moment and creating an experience that everyone could enjoy.”
That meant moving beyond the expected, reading the energy of the crowd and allowing different sounds to flow together. Afro House, Afro Tech, familiar favourites and songs that simply made people want to dance, the format became secondary to the feeling.
And the feeling was electric.
With the picturesque Botanic Gardens as the backdrop, attendees were treated to an atmosphere that perfectly captured the spirit of Women’s Day: joyful, celebratory and connected through music.
For J Sbu, performing alongside Lira, an icon of South African music, and the immensely talented Nomfundo Moh made the occasion even more meaningful.
“It was an honour to share the stage with artists of that calibre. Lira is an icon, Nomfundo is incredibly talented, and being part of a celebration that puts women at the centre made the experience even more special.”
The performance also reinforced something J Sbu has always believed about music: great entertainment isn’t about showing people what you can play, it’s about making people feel something.
Sometimes that means changing the plan. Sometimes it means breaking format. And sometimes it simply means pressing play, trusting the music and allowing the crowd to take you somewhere unexpected.
And the Music at the Lake journey continues…
The next edition promises another unforgettable live music experience as Sjava takes to the stage with a full six-piece band, joined by Simmy and Q Twins, for a special Heritage Day celebration. Tickets: https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1595476539&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=PMX_MATL_Sjava_August-2026&utm_content=Generic_August-2026&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=24109820813&gbraid=0AAAAAp2iMtKyKrEodPvb5V9AUvxU3hi1_&gclid=CjwKCAjw1vXTBhB-EiwAEKr_k0DIy_lPfVw2EiAe1iIbGwzu24tQQle-ICKu6UvIsPapwQ5KzWLAQBoCW5cQAvD_BwE
Sjava, Simmy & Q Twins Live in Concert is set to bring together some of South Africa’s most distinctive musical voices for another celebration of culture, live performance and the power of music.
From an electrifying Women’s Day celebration with Lira and Nomfundo Moh to a Heritage Day concert featuring Sjava, Simmy and Q Twins, Music at the Lake continues to prove that when the setting is right, the artists are exceptional and the audience is ready, music becomes more than entertainment. It becomes an experience.
