On 6 December 2025 it's time to collectively say Ngeke! to corruption with a powerful celebration of Mzansi's resilience in tackling one of the most important issues of our time.
The Ngeke! Festival will feature performances from Zoë Modiga, BCUC and amazing upcoming local talents, and will be hosted by LERAI. It takes place at the historic Constitution Hill in Johannesburg and aims to inspire South Africans from all walks of life, young and old, to get involved in the fight against corruption, to take action - no matter how big or small.
Ngeke! is all about music with a message, and the festival’s line-up has been selected for both their vibes and impact. Zoë Modiga weaves African jazz, soul, and storytelling into a powerful celebration of identity and human experience, using her voice to inspire change and champion South Africa’s ongoing struggles and triumphs. BCUC (Bantu Continua Uhuru Consciousness) are an energetic force of nature. From humble beginnings in a Soweto shipping container to the world’s biggest stages, BCUC capture the spirit of Mzanzi with their explosive indigenous funk - giving voice to the voiceless and using music to spotlight corruption and injustice.
Opening for Zoë and BCUC are the winners of the Fair Play South Africa competition, selected from over 70 applications from across the country who submitted powerful songs that confront corruption and uplift the community. They are Onset Music Group, a moving vocal quintet whose voices inspire hope and change; and Xtreem Makhayeni, a talented MC with a lot to say about society and the beats to back it up. These artists are now Fair Play ambassadors, joining a global movement of young musicians speaking out against corruption and using their platforms to make a difference.
Ngeke! Festival will be hosted by storyteller, speaker, and youth policy leader, LERAI. Working at the convergence of global diplomacy and cultural media, she is one of the few young Africans shaping G20-level policy as theme Co-Chair for the Y20 South Africa 2025. In this role, she advocates for structural reform to better engage youth in global decision-making. A passionate advocate for anti-corruption action in South Africa, LERAI uses her influence to drive impact and positive change.
Tickets:
Tickets are free! But places are limited. So make sure to visit www.ngeke.co.za and get yours by signing the Ngeke! Pledge and we’ll see you on December 6th, where we will stand strong together against corruption and be part of the change we want to see!
Follow the Ngeke! Festival on instagram for updates: @ngeke.festival
About the Ngeke! Pledge
Festival attendees are asked to sign the Ngeke! Pledge, committing to the following 3 promises:
1. Ngeke ngithule (I won’t keep quiet) - When I see corruption happening, I'm gonna call it out. I refuse to be part of the silence.
2. Ngeke ngikwenze (I won’t do it) - No tjotjo, no cold drinks, no abusing power to get ahead.
3. Ngeke ngiye ngedwa (I won’t go at it alone) - I’ll stand shoulder to shoulder with my fellow South Africans, because together we can flip the script and build a Mzansi that works for all.
About Fair Play
Fair Play is a global music initiative uniting young people in the fight against corruption and injustice. Created in 2010 it has reached 10 Million people through 400 music videos by bands from over 90 different countries. Held in Brazil, Belgium, Denmark, Kenya, Zimbabwe and many others, now for the first time Fair Play comes to South Africa, to empower youth voices to create change through music, collaboration, and cultural action. Fair Play South Africa is delivered by JM International, the European Union (EU) Delegation to South Africa, the EU funded Enhancing Accountability Technical Assistance Facility, Transparency International, Corruption Watch, Y20, and the Special Investigating Unit of South Africa.
“Fair Play is all about amplifying the voices of young artists around the world, letting their stories be heard and giving them a platform to unite their people around a common message. The fight against corruption is global, but it must be fought locally. Every action counts. Note by note, song by song, we can all shape a better tomorrow, together.”
– Matt Clark
Programs & Marketing Director, JM International
the LINEUP
The day kicks off at 17:00, make sure to get there in time to catch all these amazing acts speaking out against corruption!
ZOE
MODIGA
BCUC
FAIR PLAY
WINNERS
ONSET
MUSIC
GROUP
FAIR PLAY
WINNER
Xtreem Makhayeni
HOST
LERAI
Take the Ngeke! Pledge
1. Ngeke ngithule
(I won’t keep quiet)
When I see corruption happening, I'm gonna call it out.
I refuse to be part of the silence.
2. Ngeke ngikwenze
(I won’t DO IT)
No tjotjo, no cold drinks, no abusing power to get ahead.
3. Ngeke ngiye ngedwa
(I WON'T GO AT IT ALONE)
I’ll stand shoulder to shoulder with my fellow South Africans — because together we can flip the script and build a Mzansi that works for all.