Jay Jody & Manu WorldStar Bring “The People Are Burning” Live to the South African State Theatre

Rap and Afro-pop artists Jay Jody and Manu WorldStar are set to present The People Are Burning Live, a powerful live theatre experience to 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 embedded in South African culture. Often shouted in moments of joy and celebration, the phrase also carries a quieter truth – one of pressure, exhaustion, and survival once the music fades.

Set within a concrete jungle, The People Are Burning Live explores the duality of modern life: joy and sorrow, ambition and burnout, fire and flowers. Through live performance, theatrical staging, and emotionally charged storytelling, the artists invite audiences into a shared reflection of what it means to live, love, and heal in a demanding world.

Featuring music from the collaborative project alongside solo material, the show which features a guest appearance by highly acclaimed rapper, Blaklez, blurs the line between concert and theatre, offering a rare, immersive experience that speaks directly to the South African moment.

The People Are Burning Live is an ode to both the celebration and the cost of living –reminding us that even while people are burning, they are still dancing, dreaming, and becoming.

Tickets to the show are available on Webtickets for R200, https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1581290636. Grab yours today before they sell out!