DJ Tira, DJ Merlon and Black Coffee Launch Art Legacy Fund, Raise Over R3 Million
- DJ Tira, DJ Merlon and Black Coffee officially launched the Art Legacy Fund at a gala dinner in Durban
- The inaugural event raised more than R3 million through donations and live auctions to support struggling creatives
- The launch doubled as DJ Tira's 50th birthday celebration, bringing together artists and business leaders from across KwaZulu-Natal
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Source: Instagram
KwaZulu-Natal's creative scene hit a significant milestone when the Art Legacy Fund was officially unveiled at a gala dinner held at the Premier Hotel in Durban on 25 August 2026. The evening brought together artists, musicians, entrepreneurs and business leaders from across the province, all united behind a common cause.
The fund was driven by DJ Tira, DJ Merlon and Black Coffee, with the Black Coffee Foundation lending its full support to the initiative. Its core purpose is to provide a safety net for creatives who find themselves in difficult circumstances, whether due to financial hardship caused by health issues, mental health struggles or other unexpected life events.
An evening of generosity
The inaugural gala turned out to be far more than a ceremonial launch. Industry peers and business figures made contributions throughout the night, while a live auction of a piece by acclaimed artist Wanda Buhle and a special silent auction by Black Coffee for a one-of-one experience in Ibiza, Spain, helped swell the total raised to more than R3 million in donations. A keynote address by Dr Nduduzo Makhathini, exploring the relationship between legacy and music, added an intellectual depth to the proceedings.
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Lungie Maphumulo, CEO of the Black Coffee Foundation, spoke to guests about the Foundation's existing work across health, education, community development and social upliftment, and explained how it intends to work alongside the Art Legacy Fund going forward.
"The Art Legacy Fund speaks directly to why organisations like the Black Coffee Foundation exist - to create systems of support that can meet people where they are and help them through moments when they need it most.
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"We know that the journey of a creative is not always an easy one, and there are moments when artists need support to get back on their feet, continue creating and fulfil their potential. The Foundation is committed to working alongside the Art Legacy Fund to develop initiatives that can support creatives at different stages of their journey, from production to stage and beyond. Last night showed us what is possible when a community comes together with a shared purpose, and the donations raised are an incredible starting point for what we believe can become a lasting support system for artists."
Source: Instagram
A birthday with a bigger purpose
Adding a personal dimension to the launch, the event also marked DJ Tira's 50th birthday, turning what was already a significant industry moment into a personal milestone for one of its key driving forces.
The Art Legacy Fund is positioned as the first step in a broader programme of initiatives aimed at creating a sustainable support structure for South African creatives. The Black Coffee Foundation will work to identify practical opportunities to assist artists navigating hardship, with the long-term goal of helping them continue building careers and contributing to the country's cultural landscape.
According to Black Coffee, one of the biggest catalysts of his involvement was L'vovo's viral video.
"I just sat there wondering how we can help without it being personal. How can we create structures where if someone has a problem like that and they need assistance, why don't you create a fund that can come and assist?"
Mzansi reacts to Black Coffee's farmhouse
In an earlier report, Briefly News shared online reactions to a video of what's believed to be Black Coffee's farmhouse.
The breathtaking house and landscape were met with admiration from fans and peers, who praised the DJ.
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Source: Briefly News
