Ne-Yo, Wizkid & Mary Mary Join Lineup for South Africa's Essence Festival Durban

The sister event to the annual Essence Festival New Orleans will take place Nov. 8-13 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium and the International Convention Center in Durban, South Africa. Over six days, it will feature global performers and speakers as well as a host of local experts and artists.

In addition to Ne-Yo and Wizkid (who is featured on Drake’s hit “One Dance”), the All-Star Music concert lineup for Saturday (Nov. 12) will include rapper Riky Rick, producer/rapper AKA, DJ Tira and producer/DJ Black Coffee. The following evening’s All-Star Gospel (Nov. 13) show boasts Mary Mary plus Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Ntokozo Mbambo and Dr. Tumi. Yolanda Adams will also be honored during the show and give a special performance.

The daytime Empowerment Experience at the International Convention Center will offer free seminars encompassing business networking, beauty, fashion, lifestyle, wellness and cuisine. Radio and television personality Steve Harvey, activist Rev. Al Sharpton, entertainment attorney and television personality Phaedra Parks and singers Estelle and Kelly Price are among the confirmed speakers.

Tickets for Essence Festival Durban’s nightly concerts -- All-Star Music (here) and All-Star Gospel (here) are available now.