Culture Craze
Doja Cat confirms long-awaited South Africa debut at Global Citizen Pretoria
After years of fans asking the same question, when is Doja Cat coming home, the answer has finally landed. And it came straight from the star herself.
The Grammy Award-winning artist has officially confirmed she is heading to South Africa as the headline act for the upcoming Global Citizen concert in Pretoria. While her name had already been announced as the main attraction, it was her own excited Instagram video that sealed the deal for fans across Mzansi.
“I am so excited to announce that I am finally going to SA,” she shared, clearly buzzing about the long-awaited visit.
For many South Africans, this feels personal.
A homecoming fans have waited for
Born Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini, Doja Cat has always had a visible connection to her South African roots. Her father, actor Dumisani Dlamini, is proudly local, and over the years, social media has regularly lit up with conversations about whether she would ever perform here.
So when the “Agora Hills” hitmaker confirmed she is coming, timelines exploded. Fans have been celebrating what they see as a long-overdue homecoming.
It is not just another international tour stop. For many, it is a cultural moment.
More than a concert
What makes this visit different is the purpose behind it.
Doja Cat is headlining the Global Citizen event as part of Move Afrika, an initiative working to build a pan-African touring circuit. The long-term goal is to strengthen the continent’s live music economy, create jobs, and invest in local talent in every host city.
She made it clear that this project matters to her.
“This isn’t just an opportunity to tour and play music. It is going to help people find jobs and create opportunities that last,” she said.
In a country grappling with high unemployment, that message resonates. Big concerts are not just about ticket sales. They involve event crews, stage builders, security teams, caterers, transport operators, and countless behind-the-scenes roles. For many young creatives, projects like this offer real industry experience.
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From viral meme to global superstar
For newer fans, it is easy to forget how unlikely Doja Cat’s rise once seemed.
She had been releasing music for years before 2018 changed everything. That was the year she dropped “Mooo!”, a playful, internet-breaking track that turned her into a viral meme overnight. The video racked up more than 100 million YouTube views and pushed her into the global spotlight.
Later that year, she released her album “Amala,” which entered the Billboard 200 charts. Since then, she has collected major accolades, including a Grammy Award, an NAACP Award, and a People’s Choice Award, cementing her reputation as one of the most versatile artists in pop and rap.
Today, she is often referred to as the Queen of Pop Rap. But for South African fans, she is also something else. She is family.
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What to expect in Pretoria and beyond
Move Afrika will begin in Kigali, Rwanda, with a show at the BK Arena on 17 March. From there, the spotlight shifts to South Africa.
Move Afrika: Pretoria takes place at the SunBet Arena on 20 March, where Doja Cat will headline the Global Citizen concert.
The event forms part of a broader strategy to establish a sustainable, continent-wide touring network. For South Africa, which already boasts one of Africa’s strongest live music markets, it signals fresh investment and international attention.
And for fans who have waited patiently through rumours and near misses, it finally means this: Doja Cat is coming to Mzansi. Not just for a quick stop, but as part of something bigger.
Tickets are expected to move quickly. Social media suggests excitement is already at fever pitch.
After all, this is not just a show. It is a moment.
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Source: IOL
Featured Image: Marketing Spread
