There are experiences that pass through you, and then there are those that stay. My journey with MOM and Pantone Sundays did more than redefine my weekends, it recalibrated what I thought Durban could offer. The moment I stepped into The Chairman, my favorite MOM event venue, I knew I wasn’t just attending a gathering; I was stepping into a living, breathing tapestry of art, fashion, music, and community.
A Collision of Color and Culture
The Pantone Sundays collaboration brought the type of vibrant, electric energy you usually have to travel continents to feel. The dress code bold reds, deep blues, unapologetic greens wasn’t just a suggestion, it was a mood. It was as if we all instinctively became walking brushstrokes, drawn to our color-coded counterparts. I rolled with the reds, wild, unpredictable, magnetic. We were the storm and the calm all at once, setting the tone for a night that blurred the line between runway and dance floor.
Everyone looked editorial. The fits? Unreal. Pants that told stories, hats that hinted at rebellion, hairstyles that defied gravity, and masks that made mystery chic again. But what truly tied us together was intention, an unspoken agreement to show up and show out.
That spirit of artistry didn’t stop with music and outfits. Spotify’s Mother of Music (MOM) is giving a powerful platform to six exceptional Durban-based photographers. Through their work, Spotify is telling the story of the city, its sound, textures, voices, and spirit through deeply personal, visual language. These are not just images. They are soulful reflections of lived experience, featured in all promotional and marketing materials surrounding the campaign.
Among them is Paige Furness, a young photographer and multimedia student whose instinct to preserve emotion in stills has found its moment. For Paige, being selected by Spotify feels like a nod to her quiet curiosity, a chance to represent her hometown with honesty and heart.
Then there’s Ricky Badness, a globally acclaimed free surfer turned visual storyteller. His photography, layered and raw, is both personal and political. It captures post-apartheid tension with expressive abstraction. “It’s a bridge between street corners and streaming platforms,” Ricky shared.
Gift Dick Banda brings a spiritual tenderness to his work. His images don’t shout they linger. He’s self-taught and guided by the belief that photography transcends time and culture. “Stories told with honesty,” Gift says, “will always find their way to someone who needs them.”
Ricky Laidlaw approaches photography as both truth and question. Whether shooting in film or digital, his lens captures community and contradiction. “To be featured by Spotify,” he reflects, “puts local stories in a global frame.”
Rory Jacobs focuses on presence. There’s no drama, just discovery. A quiet street or a sleepy vendor becomes art in his hands. “The everyday matters,” he says. “And MOM sees that.”
Wanele Zungu, a multidisciplinary artist, transforms the ordinary into poetry. His work is grounded in lived experience, elevating the beauty in daily perseverance. “This campaign means our stories are finally being seen,” he says. “Not glossed over. But celebrated.”
“MOM isn’t just about music or visuals. It’s about momentum,” says Bea Theron, Spotify’s Experiential Marketing Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa. “It’s about putting the city’s creative talent on the global stage, where it belongs.”
Hue Cafe: A Multi-Room Moodboard
Then came the Hue Cafe takeover. Imagine three spaces, each with its own pulse. One quiet and conversational, another buzzing with kinetic connections, and a third that felt like a private lounge with groove on tap. Outside, the grassy stretch opened up like a crown jewel bar-side lounging, tiered seating, and standout Spotify merch. MOM banners fluttered like flags of a new creative republic.
Scoop and Sweet Grooves
And then there was Scoop. The perfect wind-down. Intimate, understated, and oh-so-stylish. Here, the music didn’t shout, it serenaded. The desserts added warmth, and the crowd felt like family. No egos, just energy. Asvante was the standout, a grounded artist who connected deeply with the audience and delivered a performance that left us glowing. Style remained a centerpiece, and photos became instant heirlooms. New friendships sparked over music and mango ice cream.
Durban, Reimagined
Thanks to Spotify and MOM, every moment felt curated yet spontaneous. Every event was a reminder that Durban doesn’t need to borrow culture—it creates it. This wasn’t just a weekend of parties. It was a movement. A mood. A memory.
This needs to become a tradition. And when it does, save me a seat with the reds.
