HS Winehouse Hospitality and Beverage Company has announced CapeStars as the official platinum sponsor of the 2026 Sand Music Festival in a new long-term partnership with event organizers Impakt Events Management.

The deal will see the CapeStars brand take a leading role in the three-day beach festival scheduled for September 25 to 27 in Mangochi.

CapeStars general manager Darlingtone Ndasauka said the sponsorship aligns with the brand’s ethos of socialization and community.

“As a brand built on socialization and bringing people together, we want to create a space where Malawians and tourists can unwind, connect and engage in positive conversations beyond the pressures of daily life,” Ndasauka said.

He added that festival-goers should expect upgraded stages, CapeStars-branded hospitality zones and new activations “designed to attract music and fun lovers across the country and the region.”

Ndasauka noted that the partnership carries historical significance.

He and fellow CapeStars director Wilkins Mijiga were involved in the festival’s early development alongside Impakt Events Management founder and director, the late Lucius Banda.

“It is a partnership rooted in history. It is a return to where it all began. We want to ensure Soldier’s legacy lives on and that his dream is realized. CapeStars is stepping in to carry that vision forward,” Ndasauka added.

Impakt Events Management lead coordinator Yamikani Chinguwo described the agreement as central to the company’s goal of positioning Sand Music Festival as one of Southern Africa’s premier beach music events while supporting local communities.

“Having a proud Malawian brand like CapeStars standing with us as the official platinum sponsor sends a powerful message that local businesses believe in the power of live music, culture and community gatherings,” Chinguwo said.