By Marshall Bwanya
HARARE — Winky D may not be on the official Castle Lager Braai Festival 2026 line-up yet, but one cryptic message from the beer giant has given his anxious fans fresh hope that the Gafa could still make a surprise appearance.
Castle Lager Zimbabwe’s X account sent social media into overdrive on Wednesday after its operator returned to the platform with a mysterious message that appeared to hint at contact with an unnamed “GOAT.”
The GOAT moniker is widely and affectionately associated with Winky D.
“Hi besties, your BELOVED Admin is back. Nezuro ndakazongokutizai but ndatumwa na 🐐 hanzi MUSAROVA ADMIN,” the Castle Lager Zimbabwe account posted.
Translated loosely, the message reads: “Hi besties, your beloved Admin is back. Yesterday I just disappeared, but I was sent by the GOAT, who said, ‘DON’T BEAT UP THE ADMIN.’”
In a cheeky reference to Winky D, the admin appears to have borrowed the “don’t beat up the admin” line from the singer’s 2010 hit Musarova Bigman, while describing the mysterious figure as the “GOAT.”
Use of the 🐐 emoji alongside the reference immediately caught the attention of Winky D’s legion of followers.
Among the singer’s legion of fans, the combination of the cryptic wording, the familiar Musarova Bigman reference and the 🐐 emoji quickly sparked speculation that the post could be hinting at a possible Winky D appearance.
Although Castle Lager did not name the musician, the carefully placed 🐐 has fuelled speculation among fans that the brand may have been in contact with Winky D.
The cryptic reference has also sparked hopes that the ZimDancehall and reggae heavyweight could be kept under wraps for a surprise appearance.
Winky D’s absence from the announced 2026 line-up had already caused anxiety among merry-goers, particularly given his recent history with the Castle Lager brand and the Braai Festival.
At the ninth edition of the Castle Lager Braai Fest in 2024, Winky D emerged as one of the festival’s headline acts, taking top billing at the event held at Old Hararians.
His performance was widely praised after he introduced his “Lyrical Tiki Taka” segment and performed a freestyle over Kendrick Lamar’s Not Like Us beat.
Delta Corporation, Castle Lager’s parent company in Zimbabwe, was equally emphatic in its own Delta World Magazine, describing the 2024 event as the ninth Castle National Braai Fest and writing: “Performing artists like Winky D proved to be a strong headlining act with the support of Master H, Saint Flow, and Kamo Mpela from South Africa.”
Winky D returned for the festival’s 10th edition in 2025 and delivered another standout performance, with the show packed with sing-along moments that left revellers clamouring for more.
His recent history with the festival makes the possibility of another appearance significant, particularly given his ability to draw large crowds and generate excitement around the main event.
Castle Lager National Braai Day has grown from a celebration centred on braai, beer and friendship into one of Zimbabwe’s biggest entertainment gatherings.
The festival combines sizzling meat, cold Castle Lager and live music, with the brand describing it as a cultural celebration built around togetherness and shared experiences.
This year’s confirmed performers include ExQ, Enzo Ishall, DJ Storm, Chillspot, DJ Nopsa, DJ Liz, Ngunge Yut, Atenda Chinx, Nutty O and Tamy Moyo.
Notably, Winky D is missing from that announced list — but Castle Lager’s latest social media tease has left the door tantalisingly open.
Fans will now be left wondering whether the goat emoji was simply a playful reference or a carefully planted clue ahead of a major reveal.
Castle Lager has yet to publicly confirm that Winky D will perform, meaning there is no official announcement that he will take the stage.
Still, the timing and wording of the post have given his supporters something they were missing from the initial line-up: “hope.”
The Early Bird ticket phase, which was priced at US$10, has now officially ended, with Standard tickets available for US$15.
Merry-goers looking to attend can secure their tickets through SahwiGate, while the festival promises a full day of ice-cold Castle Lager, sizzling braai meat and live music running from morning until late.
Revellers can also bring empty cooler boxes, with free ice available on site to keep their drinks cold.
Winky D fans, however, may find the biggest attraction is not yet on the official poster.
It could be hiding behind one little 🐐.
