Johannesburg shimmered with Oz-level spectacle this past weekend as the official South African premiere of Wicked For Good transformed Ster-Kinekor Eastgate into a celebration of music, friendship and cinematic spectacle. The invite-only event offered media, content creators and special guests an early peek at the long-awaited sequel — the film that completes the story begun in last year’s Wicked — ahead of its nationwide release on Friday, 21 November 2025.
Organisers dressed the venue in the film’s whimsical palette and handed guests a string of photo moments along a yellow-brick-themed arrivals carpet. The screening was accompanied by live performance, star-studded arrivals and social content activations designed to launch the movie into the local cultural moment.
A starry, local roll call
The guest list read like a who’s-who of South African entertainment and culture. Among those on the yellow brick road were Bontle Modiselle, Vourne Kgosinkwe, Tebogo Lerole, Shekinah, Mzukisi Mbane, Barbie Jackson, Mrs SA Verushka Singh, Lula Odiba, Phenyo Kgongwana, Zanele Potelwa, Refilwe Modiselle, Llewellyn Cordier, Nadia Beukes, Sachi Okada, Mawe Vundla, Nasreen Chamda, Wim Grobler, Ayanda G Thabethe, Tamara Dey, Kamo Moth, Karishma Ramdev, Mbali Christina, Prev Reddy, Hope Ramafalo, and Judie Kama, among others.
Kim Jayde led proceedings as official host, welcoming guests on the carpet and guiding the on-screen celebration with a buoyant mix of warmth and showmanship. The Johannesburg Queer Chorus delivered a live, moving rendition of the film’s signature song “For Good,” adding a poignantly musical highlight to the evening.
Fans, creators and behind-the-scenes access
In the run-up to the South African premiere, three local content creators — Minnie Dlamini, Buntu Petse and Leah — were flown to London for the European premiere, where they walked the yellow carpet and met cast members. Their social-first coverage offered local fans behind-the-scenes access and helped build anticipation ahead of the South African screenings.
About the film and release
Wicked For Good explores the formative, untold story of the friendship between Elphaba and Glinda, tracing love, rivalry and the forces that shape their destinies long before Dorothy’s arrival in Oz. The sequel completes the narrative arc begun in Wicked (last year) and is positioned as one of the season’s most anticipated cinematic events.
South African audiences can book tickets now for the film’s nationwide release on 21 November 2025. View the trailer here: https[:]//www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2Xubj7lazE&t=2s
Follow local updates and ticket information via @universalpicsza.
