In Durban, the biggest cultural moments rarely begin where you expect them to. They don’t start on a stage or under bright lights. They start in everyday spaces where people gather, connect and turn ordinary days into something worth remembering.

Mojo’s Car Wash & Shisanyama is one of those places. What began as a small township car wash has grown into a thriving community hub where business, food, music and social life naturally intersect. It is the kind of space that reflects a broader South African story, one where entrepreneurship is built from the ground up, sustained by community, and shaped by everyday life.

On Friday, 3 July 2026, Mojo’s will host a special Durban July pre fest experience, proudly powered by Smirnoff Ice, setting the tone for one of the country’s most iconic cultural weekends ahead of the main race day on 4 July.

Durban July weekend has become more than a sporting event. It is a city wide cultural shift where fashion, music and nightlife converge, turning Durban into a national stage. But before the glamour of race day and the energy of high profile events takes over, the weekend always begins in spaces like Mojo’s where people naturally gather, unwind and celebrate life in its most familiar form.

For Smirnoff Ice, the partnership reflects a wider approach to culture, showing up across the real moments where people connect. The brand continues to position itself within different social occasions that define how people gather and celebrate today, from relaxed daytime hangouts to high energy nightlife environments. 

The brands RTD portfolio is designed with this in mind, offering different expressions for different moods and settings. Together, they reflect a simple truth that celebration looks different depending on the moment, but connection is always at the centre.

Speaking on the partnership, Ifeoma Agu, Group Head of Culture, Influencers and Advocacy at Diageo South, West and Central Africa, said “Durban July is powerful because it doesn’t belong to one space  it belongs to the city and the people who bring it to life in different ways.” 

“What makes this pre fest moment special is that it starts in a place where culture already exists naturally. Mojo’s represents that everyday energy, people connecting, sharing food, music and time together. Smirnoff Ice is about showing up in those real moments and celebrating them as they are, not trying to change them. That is what makes this partnership meaningful.”

With Smirnoff Ice at the centre of the experience, the pre experience becomes more than a warm up. It becomes part of the story and an early marker of the Durban July weekend, signalling the start of a wider cultural build up #Nakanjani.

Consumers can keep the vibes alive by grabbing Smirnoff ICE packs at leading retailers nationwide, including Makro, Checkers Sixty60, Pick n Pay, and Takealot. For more information on upcoming experiences, follow @SmirnoffSA.