Tana Malinga

Two days. Dozens of kota creations. Live music. Big township energy. And enough delicious temptation to make even the strongest-willed foodie surrender.

There are food festivals and then there is the Soweto Kota Festival.

On 5 and 6 September 2026, the Elkah Cricket Oval in Rockville will once again become the ultimate destination for anyone who believes that a proper kota is not simply a meal, but an experience.

Now entering its ninth year, the festival is preparing to serve up another unforgettable weekend where towering kota creations, sizzling flavours, music, family fun and the unmistakable spirit of Soweto come together under one roof, or more accurately, beneath the September sky.

And the hardest part may be deciding which kota to eat first.

With around 40 food vendors expected, visitors can look forward to a delicious showcase of township creativity, with kota offerings starting from just R60. From the familiar combination of chips, atchaar and polony to imaginative new twists packed with flavour, the festival continues to prove that the humble kota has grown into one of South Africa’s most exciting food experiences.

This is where comfort food gets competitive.
Every vendor brings their own personality, recipe and secret to the table, creating a battlefield of flavour where the question is no longer simply “What are you eating?” but “Which kota are you backing?”

And then there is the Best Kota Competition.
The coveted title has become one of the festival’s biggest attractions, with vendors competing for bragging rights and the opportunity to be crowned the ultimate kota champion. Last year’s winner, 2 Selai, took the top spot, followed by Zaza’s Eatery and Ko-boiketlong Situations.

Now the crown is up for grabs again.
Expect bigger ideas, bolder combinations and vendors determined to prove that their kota deserves the title.

But the appetite does not stop at the food.
The 2026 festival promises two full days of live performances from top local artists, creating the perfect soundtrack to a weekend built around eating, dancing, socialising and simply enjoying the moment.
For families, there will be plenty to keep younger visitors entertained, including treats from Ola, while drinks, brand activations, giveaways and interactive experiences will add even more flavour to the festival atmosphere.

With more than 70 kota vendors and general traders expected across the broader festival platform, there will be plenty to explore beyond the plate.

The numbers tell their own story.

Since its launch, the Soweto Kota Festival has evolved from an ambitious township food gathering into one of Soweto’s established cultural and entertainment occasions.

Previous editions have attracted crowds of more than 15,000 people, while last year’s eighth edition drew more than 16,000 attendees across the weekend.

The festival has also recorded a peak attendance of around 18,000 people, underlining just how deeply the kota has embedded itself into South Africa’s food culture.

But behind the queues, music and mouth-watering plates is something even more meaningful.

The festival creates opportunities for small businesses, gives emerging food entrepreneurs a platform and provides temporary employment for local young people. More than 40 unemployed youth from Soweto are expected to benefit through festival-day employment in 2026.

It is food with a purpose and entertainment with a community heartbeat.

For sponsors and brands, the festival has become an increasingly attractive meeting point between township culture, consumers and entrepreneurship, particularly as the FMCG sector continues to recognise the power of authentic community platforms.
And for the organisers, the journey remains deeply personal.

“The Soweto Kota Festival is more than an event, it’s a celebration of heritage, community, and the entrepreneurial spirit of Soweto,” says Tshingilane.

That spirit will return to where it all began.

The festival’s media launch is scheduled to take place at Soweto Theatre, the same venue where the inaugural Soweto Kota Festival was launched nine years ago.

Partners will be unveiled and further details about the 2026 programme will be announced.

But for food lovers, the real announcement is already impossible to ignore.

The kota is coming back.
The chips will be loaded.
The fillings will be stacked.
The sauces will be flowing.
The grills will be working.
The music will be playing.

And somewhere in Rockville, thousands of hungry festival-goers will be asking the only question that really matters:

Which kota are we trying first?

The countdown to 5 and 6 September 2026 has officially begun.

Bring your appetite. Soweto is cooking.