MEDIA PERSONALITIES DJ SABBY & HOPE MBHELE TO HOST CORONA SUNSETS FESTIVAL BROADCAST SPECIAL ON SABC 1
SABC 1 and SABC Plus bring back the Corona Sunsets Festival’s golden-hour celebrations to audiences nationwide on Saturday, 21 March 2026, in Cape Town
SABC 1 and SABC Plus are set to bring the golden-hour magic of the Corona Sunsets Festival back to audiences nationwide, as the iconic music and lifestyle event returns to national television on Saturday, 21 March 2026.
Following the successful broadcast of the Johannesburg edition, which marked the first time the festival’s signature sunset experience was delivered into homes across the country, the renewed collaboration now shifts to Cape Town. Broadcasting live from The Glen Country Club in Clifton, the 2026 special builds on that momentum, extending the Corona Sunsets Festival beyond the festival grounds and firmly onto the national stage.
A Celebrated Hosting Line-Up
At the forefront of this year’s broadcast are Metro FM breakfast host Sabelo “DJ Sabby” Mtshali and acclaimed actress and digital creator Hope Mbhele.
DJ Sabby, host of Metro FM’s primetime Best Mornings show, brings extensive live broadcasting experience to the stage. His hosting portfolio includes some of South Africa’s biggest entertainment platforms, such as the South African Music Awards, Metro FM Music Awards, SABC1’s New Year’s Eve Last Dance, and Back to the City Music Festival.
Joining him for her first Corona Sunsets Festival broadcast is Mbhele, widely recognised for her roles in Uzalo and Shaka iLembe. With a growing influence across television and digital platforms, she continues to establish herself as one of the most compelling voices of her generation.
“Returning to host the Corona Sunset Festival in Cape Town feels like a full-circle moment. Coming back to a stage that celebrates organic energy, music, being in the moment, and connection, and reuniting with Hope Mbhele after hosting the Metro FM Awards nominations in Durban, makes it even more meaningful,” says DJ Sabby.
“There’s something incredibly special about the sunset in Cape Town,” adds Mbhele. “To experience that energy live and then share it with viewers across the country alongside DJ Sabby feels like being part of something bigger than just a show. It’s a celebration of nature, creativity, and connection.”
A World-Class Artist Line-Up
The 2026 Corona Sunsets Festival will feature headline performances from Grammy Award-winner Purple Disco Machine and South African music powerhouse Zakes Bantwini.
They will be joined by a dynamic supporting line-up including:
Sun-El Musician
Msaki
DJ Kent
Liquideep
Mila-Rose
Blakongo
Roz b2b Housewife
Meek
A once-off sunset performance by the Ndlovu Youth Choir
More than a traditional music showcase, the SABC 1 broadcast will immerse viewers in the festival’s defining “Sunset Moment,” complete with aerial performances, immersive art installations, and its signature More Than Music offering.
More Than Music
The Corona Sunsets Festival experience extends beyond the stage. Viewers can expect highlights from curated wellness experiences, creative expression spaces, drum circles, and sustainable food activations, all designed to celebrate connection, nature, and culture.
On-site experiences include:
Art installations
Live art murals
Drum circles
Face painting
The Corona Cero Bar
The Corona merchandise store
A curated food garden
For Corona South Africa, the continued partnership with SABC reflects a shared commitment to celebrating culture at scale.
“SABC 1 has long been a platform where South Africans see themselves reflected in music, storytelling, and shared national moments,” says Melanie Nicholson, Head of Brand: Corona South Africa. “Bringing the Corona Sunsets Festival back to SABC 1 allows that golden-hour experience to travel beyond Cape Town and into homes across the country.”
Dichaba Phalatse, Marketing Manager: Video Entertainment at SABC, adds: “Hope Mbhele and DJ Sabby understand what resonates with South African audiences because they’re part of the culture every single day. After the success of the Johannesburg broadcast, bringing the Corona Sunsets Festival to Cape Town on SABC 1, and to audiences on SABC Plus, continues that shared national experience.”
About the Festival Partners
Corona, recognised as the world’s most valuable beer brand (Brand Finance Report 2025) and ranked in Kantar’s BrandZ Global 2024 rankings, continues to position itself as a brand synonymous with nature, connection, and celebration. The global brand is available in 180 countries and has committed to environmental sustainability, becoming the first global beverage brand with a net-zero plastic footprint.
The South African Breweries (SAB), operating seven breweries and 42 depots nationwide, remains one of South Africa’s largest brewers and economic contributors, supporting over 250,000 jobs across its value chain.
With a daily average reach of 8.8 million viewers, SABC 1 remains one of the country’s top five television channels, delivering a compelling mix of local drama, reality programming, and entertainment content under its “Mzansi Fo Sho” banner.
Broadcast Details
Broadcast Channels: SABC 1 and SABC Plus
Date: Saturday, 21 March 2026
Time: 19:30 – 21:30
Venue: The Glen Country Club, Clifton, Cape Town
As anticipation builds, the 2026 broadcast continues to position the Corona Sunsets Festival not just as a live event, but as a cultural television moment where performance, atmosphere, and audience converge on a national stage.
_In The Room
Published by Neontle Mogomotsi
