Tamar Braxton Opens Pretoria R&B Season on 16 December

SOUTH AFRICA · MUSIC · EVENT GUIDE

American R&B singer Tamar Braxton opens the Ndlala Grandeur Season at Ndlala Arena in Pretoria, South Africa, on Wednesday 16 December 2026. The venue has since stretched the run to five nights through Sunday 20 December, with Johnny Gill, Yung Miami, Chanté Moore and Eric Benét among the other headliners.

Tickets are sold through the arena’s own website, ndlalaarena.co.za, in five seat tiers from R2,000 (about US$121) to R14,000 (about US$849) per night. Dollar figures in this guide use 16.49 rand to the US dollar, the closing rate on Friday 16 October 2026.

Five Nights of R&B Headliners in Pretoria

Ndlala Arena announced the season on Tuesday 8 September with Braxton as its opening headliner, and early reports described a four-night run from 16 to 19 December. The official ticket site now lists five nights from 16 to 20 December, each with its own headliner and the same 3 p.m. doors time.

The Grandeur name is not new at the venue, which staged Ndlala Grandeur II over three nights in August 2026. That run brought RL, Mya, Ginuwine, Case and Tyrese to Pretoria, according to the arena’s event listings.

Thami Ndlala, the arena’s chief executive, said the December season was built to be “the biggest celebration yet” of what the Grandeur shows are known for. Actor Ricco Ross, known for Tyler Perry’s Netflix series Beauty in Black, hosts the red carpet and co-hosts the shows on the first two nights.

Who Plays Each Night

Tamar Braxton headlines the opening night on Wednesday 16 December, which is also the Day of Reconciliation, a South African public holiday. Born in Maryland in 1977, she is the younger sister of Toni Braxton and is known for songs such as “Love and War” and “All the Way Home.”

Her visit carries extra weight for local fans because she was booked for the BET Experience Africa in Johannesburg in December 2015 but never performed. She withdrew after doctors found blood clots in both lungs, and Mary J Blige took her place on that bill.

Thursday 17 December pairs the R&B duo DVSN with Changing Faces, the American duo behind a run of 1990s R&B hits. Friday 18 December belongs to Johnny Gill, the New Edition singer, with Crystle Stewart as host.

Saturday 19 December is headlined by Yung Miami, the rapper best known as one half of the duo City Girls. Sunday 20 December closes the season with Chanté Moore and Eric Benét, two American R&B singers who share the bill.

Ndlala Arena and How to Get There

Ndlala Arena sits inside Ndlala Mall, on the corner of Steve Biko and Pretorius streets in Arcadia, the Pretoria district that is also home to the Union Buildings, the seat of South Africa’s presidency. The arena describes itself as a venue for concerts, soirées and corporate events, with 552 reserved seats across five tiers.

Pretoria is South Africa’s administrative capital and lies north of Johannesburg in Gauteng province. Most international visitors arrive at OR Tambo International Airport, which serves both cities.

Gautrain, the province’s rapid rail network, links the airport with stations in central Pretoria and in Hatfield, with a change of trains at Marlboro. From either station, a ride-hailing car or a pre-booked taxi is the simplest way to reach the mall, especially after a show that ends at night.

Ticket Prices in Rand and Dollars

Every night uses the same five tiers, and buyers pick their own seats on a seat map before paying. Bronze, the back rows, costs R2,000 (about US$121), and Silver costs R3,750 (about US$227) with a welcome drink.

Gold costs R7,000 (about US$425) and adds seats closer to the stage. Platinum costs R11,000 (about US$667) and includes fast-track entry, a lounge with bar service, canapés and free-flowing premium drinks.

Diamond, the front rows, costs R14,000 (about US$849) a night. It comes with bottomless champagne, an Italian buffet, dedicated hostesses and a private lounge.

A Weekend Pass lowers the price of every night when the same tier is booked for more than one night. Five nights in Bronze would cost R10,000 (about US$607) before that discount.

What It Means for You

US citizens do not need a visa for South African stays of under 90 days, according to the State Department. Passports must be valid for 30 days after departure and need two consecutive blank visa pages, or entry can be refused.

The State Department rates South Africa at Level 2, exercise increased caution, citing crime, terrorism, unrest and kidnapping. In Pretoria, that means using ride-hailing or arranged transport after dark rather than walking between venues with phones or cash on show.

The season falls in South Africa’s main summer holiday period, so it makes sense to book flights and rooms early. The Day of Reconciliation on 16 December is a public holiday, and Christmas Day and the Day of Goodwill follow on 25 and 26 December.

Visitors in Pretoria that week can also see Kehlani at the Sunbet Arena on 15 December, the night before Braxton. With the cheapest seat at about US$121 a night, the Weekend Pass is the cheaper route for anyone planning to see more than one act.

What Is Not Known

The arena says more names will be announced as the season fills, so the line-up may still change. Set times for each artist, and any support acts beyond the published hosts, have not been released.

The ticket site does not state an age limit, a bag policy or a refund policy for the season. Buyers should check the arena’s website and social media channels again before they travel.

More: South Africa news in English, every day from The Rio Times.

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where does Tamar Braxton play in Pretoria?

Tamar Braxton plays Ndlala Arena in Ndlala Mall, Arcadia, Pretoria, on Wednesday 16 December 2026. Doors open at 3 p.m. and the show starts at 5 p.m. local time.

How much do Ndlala Grandeur Season tickets cost?

Seats cost R2,000 (about US$121) in Bronze, R3,750 (about US$227) in Silver, R7,000 (about US$425) in Gold, R11,000 (about US$667) in Platinum and R14,000 (about US$849) in Diamond. Tickets are sold at ndlalaarena.co.za, the arena’s official site.

Do US citizens need a visa to attend?

No visa is needed for tourist stays of under 90 days in South Africa. The passport must be valid for 30 days after departure and have two consecutive blank visa pages.

Sources: Ndlala Arena, official site and ticketing, Ndlala Grandeur Season 16 to 20 December 2026, EWN, Tamar Braxton to headline Ndlala Grandeur Season 1, 9 September 2026, The Citizen, Tamar Braxton to perform in Pretoria, 9 September 2026, Briefly News, Tamar Braxton confirmed for Ndlala Grandeur Season 1, 9 September 2026, Briefly News, Changing Faces added to Ndlala Grandeur Season 1, 7 October 2026, South African Government, public holidays, US Department of State, South Africa international travel information. All retrieved 19 October 2026.

This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief