Jorja Smith, up close

Jorja Smith is billed to perform at the upcoming Rocking the Daisies, taking place 2–4 October 2026 at Cloof Wine Estate in Cape Town. Jorja Smith has emerged this Saturday as one of the stories drawing attention in South Africa.

Key facts

• Jorja Smith is billed to perform at the upcoming Rocking the Daisies, taking place 2–4 October 2026 at Cloof Wine Estate in Cape Town.
• Jorja Smith's announcement as the first Rocking The Daisies 2026 headliner has reignited a long-simmering debate about Johannesburg's shortage of mid-sized concert venues, with some fans dreading the trek to Pretoria's SunBet Arena to see her perform.
• International English singer and songwriter Jorja Smith is set to perform in South Africa later this year.
• British singer-Songwriter Jorja Smith poses upon arrival for the fourth edition of “Les Flammes” music award ceremony at the Seine Musicale, in Boulogne-Billancourt, in the western outskirts of Paris on 23 April 2026.
• The first lineup announcement for Rocking The Daisies 2026 has been posted, and instead of fans curating their Jorja Smith playlists ahead of summer, a small subsection of fans in Johannesburg are lamenting the possibility of having to make the trip to the SunBet Arena to see her live.

What we know

Going deeper, Jorja Smith's announcement as the first Rocking The Daisies 2026 headliner has reignited a long-simmering debate about Johannesburg's shortage of mid-sized concert venues, with some fans dreading the trek to Pretoria's SunBet Arena to see her perform.

On the substance, International English singer and songwriter Jorja Smith is set to perform in South Africa later this year.

Beyond the headlines, British singer-Songwriter Jorja Smith poses upon arrival for the fourth edition of “Les Flammes” music award ceremony at the Seine Musicale, in Boulogne-Billancourt, in the western outskirts of Paris on 23 April 2026.

More precisely, the first lineup announcement for Rocking The Daisies 2026 has been posted, and instead of fans curating their Jorja Smith playlists ahead of summer, a small subsection of fans in Johannesburg are lamenting the possibility of having to make the trip to the SunBet Arena to see her live.

It is worth noting that Jorja Smith has grown into one of the standout voices in modern R&B and soul, known for her rich vocals and honest songwriting.

By the numbers

At this stage, Smith is the first act announced as part of this year’s lineup for the event scheduled to take place between 2 and 4 October, at Cloof Wine Estate.

On a related note, She’s announced as the first international headliner for the 2026 Rocking the Daisies lineup, with more acts still set to be announced.

Going deeper, Otherwise, tickets for the 2026 Rocking the Daisies are going live today 12:00 midday via Quicket.co.za.

On the substance, YFM host George Mnguni sparked the conversation after posting about the hassle of travelling 50km to the Pretoria venue just to watch international acts perform.

The wider context

On a related note, Others who interacted with Mnguni’s post noted the existence of the new 10 000-capacity Goldrush Dome in Nasrec, however, it has been said that the venue sits underused due to high rental costs despite hosting acts like Asake.

Going deeper, She broke through with Blue Lights and Teenage Fantasy, before cementing her rise with the acclaimed Lost & Found and later Falling or Flying.

On the substance, her catalogue also includes fan favourites like Be Honest, On My Mind and Little Things.

Beyond the headlines, She has built a global following, earning praise for blending soul, R&B, and UK sounds into a style distinctly her own.

More precisely, Focalistic becomes the first South African musician to get a sneaker range with adidas.

The bottom line

• The first lineup announcement for Rocking The Daisies 2026 has been posted, and instead of fans curating their Jorja Smith playlists ahead of summer, a small subsection of fans in Johannesburg are lamenting the possibility of having to make the trip to the SunBet Arena to see her live.
• Her catalogue also includes fan favourites like Be Honest, On My Mind and Little Things.
• ‘I’m shadow-banned’: Toya Delazy on why her music isn’t being played and online heckling.