Live music meets African art at the Absa L’Atelier Art & Lifestyle in Waterfall

There’s something about a small South African town that can turn an ordinary road trip into a story you’re still telling years later.

That became very clear on HOT 102.7 Breakfast this morning when a conversation about Paternoster quickly turned into a nostalgic tour of some of the country’s more unusual small-town treasures.

On Saturday, 10 October, Waterfall City Park at The Mall of Africa, will become a place to enjoy great music and discover African art in the same afternoon. The Absa L’Atelier Art and Lifestyle Fair brings live performances by Msaki, Elaine and the Soweto Gospel Choir together with an exhibition by 12 emerging artists from across the continent. Add food stalls, a local market and creative activities for all ages, and you have plenty of reasons to make a day of it.

The music line-up alone is a reason to make the trip. Singer-songwriter Msaki will headline, joined by the three-time Grammy Award-winning Soweto Gospel Choir and South African R&B star Elaine. Performances are scheduled from 11:30 to 17:00, giving you time to move between the stage and the fair’s other attractions.

At the heart of the event is the Absa L’Atelier Art competition, which marks its 40th year in 2026. Run by Absa in partnership with the South African National Association for the Visual Arts, it helps emerging artists across the continent develop their work and build careers. Twelve finalists have been selected this year, working in everything from painting and photography to sculpture and mixed media.

Their artworks will be on display at the fair, alongside a special installation celebrating four decades of the competition.

The winners will be announced at the fair: three will become Absa L’Atelier Art Ambassadors, while a fourth will receive the Gerard Sekoto Award. The prizes include mentorship, residencies and opportunities to hold solo exhibitions. For the finalists, the announcement could open the door to the next stage of their careers.

You don’t need to know anything about art to enjoy it. Follow your curiosity, stop at a piece that catches your eye, and see what story it tells you. The finalists draw on identity, memory, heritage and everyday life across Africa, so there is plenty to spark a conversation.

If you’re coming with family or friends, you can also look forward to, wine tasting, food and beverage stalls, and hands-on creative spaces, including Sip & Paint. A supervised Kids’ Corner offers creative activities for younger visitors. Bring a picnic blanket and settle in for the day.

Gates open at 10:00 on Saturday, 10 October, at Waterfall City Park, Mall of Africa, Midrand. Tickets are R350, and children aged 12 and under enter free when accompanied by a paying adult. The fair is cashless, and food and drinks are sold separately.

Make a day of it: come for the music, the art and the chance to discover Africa’s next creative stars.