KARIEGA – The Junior King Foundation NPC is set to host its inaugural Youth Rising Festival 2026 on Youth Day, providing a platform for young people to showcase their talents while celebrating creativity, self-expression and community involvement.

Dugulth Ferreira, famously known as Junior King, was a dancer, rapper, and TikToker who died in a head-on collision on the N1 near Verkeerdevlei in the Free State on 11 December 2025.

According to Junior King’s mother, Marian Ferreira, the event, which will take place at the Kariega Indoor Sport Centre on 16 June from 12:00 until 16:00, is open to young people, families, community members, aspiring artists, dancers, singers, rappers, poets and anyone wishing to support local youth talent, with a R50 entrance fee.

Held under the theme “Voices of the Youth: Then and Now”, the festival aims to empower and inspire young people through a diverse programme of live entertainment, youth-focused activities and motivational engagements.

Organisers have lined up performances by eight dance groups, as well as live music and rap performances. The programme will also include youth empowerment speakers, awards and recognition ceremonies, a youth march tribute and a range of other entertainment activities.

Among the performers expected to take to the stage are Kay Medusa, Laeeqa Ferreira, Luda G, Young OG and General, alongside aspiring artists from Cape Town.

The festival forms part of the Junior King Foundation NPC’s ongoing mission to continue the legacy of the late Junior King, who passed away in December 2025.

According to Marian, the initiative seeks to create opportunities for emerging artists and young people who often lack access to platforms where they can showcase their abilities and develop their confidence.

“Following the loss of my son, Junior King, in December 2025, the foundation has committed itself to carrying forward his vision of empowering youth through arts, culture, music and community development,” she said.

Marian added that the foundation remains actively involved in youth development through weekly workshops and training programmes for children of all ages. “We have weekly workshops and training with kids of all ages, continuing my son’s legacy and what he built,” she said.

The foundation hopes the Youth Rising Festival will become an annual event that encourages young people to pursue their dreams, develop their talents and make positive contributions to society. “We want young people to see that their talents matter and that there are opportunities available to them. This event is about creating a positive space where they can express themselves, gain confidence and be inspired,” Marian added.

The festival will be held under the slogan “The youth will rise”.

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