Multi-award-winning artist Doja Cat has been confirmed as the first headliner for Hey Neighbour Festival 2025, which will take place from 29 to 31 August 2025 at Legends Adventure Farm in Pretoria.
Doja Cat to perform in South Africa for the first time
The announcement was made as part of the festival’s Phase 1 lineup reveal and marks a major moment in South Africa’s entertainment calendar.
This will be Doja Cat’s first official performance in South Africa, a country she has familial ties to but has never visited publicly.
Known for hit songs like Paint the Town Red, Woman, and Say So, Doja Cat is widely recognised for her genre-blending sound and bold performance style.
Her live shows are known to be both theatrical and high-energy, making her one of the most sought-after headliners on global festival stages.
Festival organisers expressed their excitement about bringing the artist to local fans.
“Her energy, creativity, and ability to connect with audiences on a global scale make her the perfect artist to kick off what will be an epic festival lineup,” said Glen Netshipise, CEO of Hey Neighbour Festival.
A personal return for Doja Cat
Beyond the music, Doja Cat’s appearance in South Africa is especially notable given her South African heritage.
Born Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini in Los Angeles in 1995, she is the daughter of Dumisani Dlamini, a celebrated South African actor known for his roles in Yizo Yizo and Sarafina!.
Despite her father’s fame, Doja Cat has spoken publicly about her estranged relationship with him, noting in past interviews that they’ve never met.
Dumisani Dlamini has denied those claims, stating that he tried to maintain contact and blamed their separation on the challenges of life on tour and the eventual distance between continents.
Her performance at Hey Neighbour 2025 marks the first time she will officially set foot in South Africa since her conception — a symbolic moment that carries weight for fans aware of her background.
More international stars headed to SA
Doja Cat joins a growing list of international A-list artists performing in South Africa this year.
Summer Walker is headlining Rocking the Daisies 2025 in Cape Town this October, while Travis Scott is bringing his Circus Maximus World Tour to Johannesburg on 11 October 2025.
Recently, Nigerian star Tems made her South African debut with a live show on 20 March 2025, adding to the surge of global talent gracing local stages.
With Hey Neighbour organisers teasing more major acts to come, Doja Cat’s announcement sets the tone for what is shaping up to be a defining year in South African live entertainment.
