Rap and Afro-pop artists Jay Jody and Manu WorldStar are set to present The People Are Burning Live, a powerful live theatre experience, at the South African State Theatre on Friday, 20 February 2026.
Inspired by their forthcoming joint project, The People Are Burning, the show draws from a phrase deeply rooted in South African culture. Often shouted in moments of joy and celebration, the phrase also carries a quieter, more complex truth — one of pressure, exhaustion, and survival once the music fades. Set within a symbolic concrete jungle, The People Are Burning Live explores the dualities of modern life: joy and sorrow, ambition and burnout, fire and flowers.
Through a fusion of live music, theatrical staging, and emotionally charged storytelling, the performance invites audiences to reflect on what it means to live, love, and heal in a demanding world.
Featuring music from the collaborative project alongside select solo material, the show — which includes a special guest appearance by acclaimed rapper Blaklez — blurs the line between concert and theatre. The result is a rare, immersive experience that speaks directly to the current South African moment.
The People Are Burning Live stands as an ode to both the celebration and the cost of living — a reminder that even while people are burning, they are still dancing, dreaming, and becoming.
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