SALM TEAM 
Johannesburg witnessed a cultural eruption this past weekend as Johnnie Walker AfroExchange made its powerful debut in South Africa. From bold whiskey flavours to boundary-breaking beats, the event brought creative powerhouses from South Africa and Nigeria together under one roof for a celebration and exchange of African excellence between two of the continent’s most vibrant countries.
“AfroExchange is the intersection of rhythm, canvas, and couture – a celebration of how we create, express, and define culture,” said Ifeoma Agu, Group Head of Culture, Influencer and Advocacy at Diageo South, West and Central Africa. “We walk with the artists, designers, and musicians who are turning Afro creativity into global influence. This is more than an event it’s a platform for bold creators to be seen, heard, and celebrated.
Held at the iconic Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit and hosted by Nomuzi Mabena popularly known as Moozlie, Johnnie Walker AfroExchange was an opportunity to remind all Africans of the power of their creativity.
The highlight of the night was the stellar music line-up, which saw the convergence of the continent’s most innovative sonic architects. Nigerian superstar BNXN delivered an unforgettable performance, South Africa’s own DJ Maphorisa shut down the stage with an Amapiano masterclass, while Thukzin took the audience on an Afro-tech journey that blurred the line between rave and ritual.Also heating up the decks were:
- Dope Caesar (NG): delivering genre-fluid, high-impact sets with attitude and soul
- Shakes & Les: the 3step duo keeping the streets on fire
- Tito M & Yuppe: bringing their global hit Tshwala Bam to life
- Professor: dropping Kwaito-rooted anthems that transcended generations
- Banques & DJ Venom: highlighting hip-hop sounds from across the continent.
Throughout the night, the bar remained a vibrant part of the experience, offering bespoke Johnnie Walker cocktails that paired perfectly with the evening’s curated beats, visuals, and style. Merging the drinks experience with fashion, international fashion curator Xzavier Zulu, showcased Lagos & Joburg’s biggest streetwear brands throughout the night in an interactive back of bar AfroExchange Fashion Ramp. Adding to the excitement was South African streetwear maven GALXBOY and their pop-up personalisation store where guests could purchase classic white tees and customise them with Johnnie Walker branded elements, bringing individuality and collaboration to life in a truly interactive way
One of the most exciting experiences of the evening was the Flavor Station, a dynamic corner of the venue where guests could learn to mix their own cocktails under the guidance of expert mixologists. This interactive whisky journey taught attendees about flavour profiles, mixology techniques, and how to craft their own perfect Johnnie Walker drink. This food and drink fusion captured the essence of AfroExchange bold and rooted in tradition
Creativity and art go hand in hand, and as part of the many points of attraction was the Art Exchange,a live painting experience led by celebrated South African street artist Dirty Natives and Nigerian multifaceted portraiture artist and Big Brother Niaja star, Saga.
These bold visual artists created striking works in real-time, transforming the venue into a moving gallery of Afro-urban identity, rebellion, and resilience. Guests didn’t just observe,they participated. As the music played and the drinks flowed, attendees were invited to create their own art, adding brushstrokes to communal canvases and leaving their mark on AfroExchange in the most personal way possible.
What’s an African affair without food? The culinary experience was a standout in its own right. Throughout the evening, guests were served a curated selection of traditional South African and Nigerian dishes, each dish designed to honour cultural roots while embracing modern interpretations of our favourite meals. Highlights included:
- Nigerian Chin-Chin
- Fried plantain chips
- Biltong and wors snack pack
Main Dinner Bowls:
- South African Braai Bowl: Chargrilled lamb chop on creamy pap and chakalaka
- Nigerian Chicken Jollof: Traditional jollof rice with fried chicken, plantain and cold slaw
- Beef Potjiekos and rice bowl
- Vegetarian vegetable curry with fluffy white rice
Dessert Bites:
- Mini Koeksisters
- Mini Malva pudding with hot custard
- Mini Milk Tartlets
The event saw the likes of South African most loved, AmaPiano DJ DBN GOGO, Shaka ILembe actor Senzo Radebe, former Muvhango actor Raphael Griffiths, South African rappers Gigi lamayne and Reason in attendance.
As the night ended and the beats faded, one thing was clear: JW AfroExchange is just getting started. With Lagos up next later in the year, the cultural baton has officially been passed promising more collaboration, more creativity, and even deeper cross-cultural resonance. See you in Lagos!
Dj Chilu 
Diana Kinyanjui 
