Johannesburg’s cultural calendar is about to get a powerful injection of truth, vulnerability and unforgettable storytelling. On 26 March 2026, The Moth returns to the city for one night only with We Rise: The Moth in Johannesburg — hosted by acclaimed poet, performer and activist Lebogang Mashile.
Following a sold-out show in 2024, the globally renowned storytelling organisation will take to the stage at the Keorapetse William Kgositsile Theatre at UJ Arts & Culture. Tickets are priced at R80 and available via Quicket.
An Evening of True Stories, Told Without Notes
Founded in New York in 1997, The Moth is dedicated to connecting humanity through the art of true, personal storytelling. Its Mainstage productions and StorySLAM events have featured more than 65,000 stories shared live and entirely without notes. Each story is true as remembered by the teller and carefully shaped with the guidance of a Moth story director.
For the Johannesburg Mainstage, five storytellers from across Africa will step into the spotlight to share ten-minute tales centred on forging new paths. Expect moments of laughter, sharp intakes of breath and perhaps even the urge to cover your eyes. These are stories of patience, perseverance and personal transformation — told candidly and with remarkable intimacy.
The evening will also feature musical guest Yogin Sullaphen.
A Global Platform with Local Resonance
Over nearly three decades, The Moth has grown into a global cultural force. Its live events are held around the world, and The Moth Podcast — downloaded tens of millions of times annually — continues to introduce new audiences to the power of spoken storytelling.
Sarah Austin Jenness, Executive Producer of The Moth and director of the upcoming Johannesburg show, recalls the energy of the previous event in the city:
“The last Moth Mainstage in Johannesburg was electric. The crowd was one of the most vibrant I’ve witnessed in my 20 years at The Moth. The recording of the show became one of our most popular podcast episodes, and we’re thrilled to return with five new storytellers sharing stories of perseverance.”
She also acknowledged the support of the Gates Foundation in making the event possible.
Lebo Mashile Returns as Host
Award-winning writer, performer and activist Lebogang Mashile is no stranger to commanding a stage. Known for her lyrical, fearless poetry, she has captivated audiences in 38 countries worldwide. Beyond her literary acclaim, she has appeared on Netflix’s Classified and in the Academy Award-nominated film Hotel Rwanda.
Mashile describes The Moth as “a living and digital shrine to the timeless power of storytelling in its rawest form,” adding that she is “ecstatic” to return as host.
“In an increasingly polarised world,” she says, “I look forward to holding space for voices that remind us how deeply connected we truly are.”
Why The Moth Matters
At its heart, The Moth exists to create a more empathetic world by celebrating both the diversity and shared humanity of personal experience. Through live events, workshops and its widely celebrated podcast, the organisation provides a platform for people from every background to tell extraordinary stories drawn from everyday life.
The name itself harks back to founder George Dawes Green’s childhood memories of late-night storytelling gatherings on a porch in Georgia, where moths circled the porch light as neighbours shared tales long into the evening. That spirit of communal storytelling remains central to The Moth’s ethos today.
We Rise: The Moth in Johannesburg
📅 26 March 2026
📍 Keorapetse William Kgositsile Theatre, UJ Arts & Culture
🎟 Tickets: R80 via Quicket
For more information, visit themoth.org or listen to The Moth Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.
If you’re seeking an evening that reminds you of the simple, radical power of listening — this is it.