Kelvin Momo with One Man Concert producer Benny Maverick at Moses Mabhida’s People’s Park before the event started.
Image: Supplied
It started as a clear and sunny day, with no sign of what was to come.
By 4:30pm, crowds were arriving at the Kelvin Momo One Man Concert at People’s Park, Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
The venue began filling up quickly as fans secured their spots and settled in for the night. Music played across the field as DJs warmed up the crowd, setting the tone for what many expected to be a standout event.
Within an hour, the space was full. The VIP section had no available seating, and the general area was packed. People were dancing, singing along and moving between groups.
The energy remained steady as the line-up progressed, with each set keeping the crowd engaged.
At around 9:30pm, the mood shifted. As Sha Sha took to the stage, dark clouds gathered and the weather changed.
Heavy rain and thunder interrupted her set, cutting her performance short. The downpour intensified, forcing people to abandon their positions and seek shelter.
As the rain fell, movement was visible across the venue as attendees sought to protect themselves. Some rushed toward covered areas, while others stood their ground.
Despite the conditions, a group of fans began chanting, “Momo, we wanna party,” even as the sound and lights went off.
In an effort to keep spirits up, parts of the crowd broke into song, chanting “Masambe Nono” while waiting for any sign that the event would continue.
There was hope that the rain would pass and the music would return, but the weather did not ease.
Kelvin Momo had not yet taken to the stage. Soon after, it became clear that the event would not resume.
The organisers said that the concert was stopped because of severe and unexpected weather, describing it as an “Act of God.” They explained that “strong winds and sudden adverse conditions forced an immediate closure of the event in the interest of public safety.”
They noted that while there had been weather forecasts, “weather forecasts had not indicated the severity of the conditions experienced.” As a result, the decision was made quickly to protect everyone at the venue.
Emphasising safety, they stated that “the safety and well-being of all guests, staff, and stakeholders remain our highest priority,” adding that the move was “a precautionary measure… to prevent any potential risks or harm.”
They also thanked attendees, saying, “we sincerely appreciate the cooperation and understanding shown by all attendees during this time.” They confirmed that “emergency procedures were followed to ensure an orderly and safe evacuation of the venue.”
Safety officer Lulu Mqadi of Cumme Safe added, “The decision to suspend the event was not taken lightly, but was necessary to ensure the safety of everyone on site. Our priority will always be to prevent risk and act proactively in situations such as these.”