Doja Cat brings emotions and energy to Global Citizen's Move Afrika concert

Zandile Dlamini’s debut performance on home soil at the Global Citizen: Move Afrika festival was marked by exuberance and emotion.

As American artist Doja Cat made her first appearance at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria on 20 March, the crowd erupted, chanting her Zulu name in a powerful gesture of welcome.

Dressed in an ’80s-inspired look, Doja Cat delivered an alluring and captivating hour-and-a-half set that did not disappoint. The Kittenz (her fanbase ) arrived in full creative force, donning everything from gothic ensembles to Marilyn Monroe-inspired bodysuits and cheetah-print fits, all paying homage to the queen of pop-rap.

Throughout the performance, the audience rapped along to nearly every lyric, echoing the Grammy Award-winning artist’s catalogue with precision and passion. The crowd remained on its feet for the duration of the show, a testament to Dlamini’s commanding stage presence. Some revellers shared that missing her performance was not an option.

However, despite the electrifying main act, the concert was not without its shortcomings. For those not positioned close to the stage, the opening two hours proved difficult to follow, as the venue screens failed to display the opening acts. As a result, much of their performances were lost on sections of the audience.

Additionally, while the a cappella group The Joy delivered a rich, harmony-filled set, their placement in the lineup felt somewhat misaligned with the overall tone and pacing of the show.

Despite these logistical setbacks, Doja Cat ultimately delivered a standout performance, filling the arena with her undeniable presence and closing the night on a high note.

As she bid her farewell to her Kittenz, Doja Cat shared that her Friday performance was "one of the most fun shows" she has done.

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