As the last Mampara Week of the year rolled in and Mzansi geared up for full-blown Dezemba mode, Smirnoff ICE turned the “slow season” into a citywide ignition, bringing heat and a whole lot of flavour to Braamfontein. The streets of Jozi came alive as the brand took over Cheeky’s Street Bar with an energy that reminded everyone why Smirnoff ICE stays at the heart of youth culture.

Mzansi’s favourite ready-to-drink Smirnoff ICE, has been on a run of joy-packed culture takeovers, owning some of the most charged music moments across the country. In a time when the rand is low and mid-month pockets are tight, Smirnoff ICE proved once again that joy doesn’t need a premium price tag, just the right vibe and the right crowd.

With its bold, refreshed packaging and exciting flavors, the final Mampara Week of 2025 lit up Braamfontein with electric beats and a dance floor full of creatives, groovists, and fashion-forward vibe shifters. The night didn’t just go off, it set the tone for the whole festive season.

A cultural melting pot from start to finish, the lineup brought together the vibe shifters shaping the sound of modern urban youth culture. Shakes & Les, Slade, Soul Nativez, Andii, Anchorbee, and Mxrgiela headlined the night, serving sets that kept the energy high and the crowd dancing till the close.

The road to this Mampara Week takeover wasn’t just about the headliners, it was about opening up the industry. The brand put out a call for Jozi’s most talented rising DJs to showcase how their sets shift the vibe. After hundreds of entries, the winning vibe shifters (DJ Mnisi and Sthibo De Beat) earned their moment, stepping up to the decks and keeping that Dezemba flavour flowing long before the month even arrives.

According to Ifeoma Agu, Head of Culture SW, “Our Smirnoff ICE Mampara Week city takeovers are a cultural platform where we celebrate our consumers for what they contribute to Africa’s budding cultural landscape. South Africa in particular has been receptive to Smirnoff ICE bringing ease to their pockets at a time when access to cultural experiences can feel limited by mid-month financial strain. We’re proud to have built a community of culture curators who can choose joy any time of the month. In 2026, we look forward to taking Mampara Week even further across the country.”

Smirnoff ICE continues to power inclusive joy, fuel the culture, and keep the vibes moving #Nakanjani, no matter the budget, no matter the month. Stay tuned for more updates and culture moments by following @smirnoffsa on Instagram.