When South Africa was quietly removed from the global cinema rollout for Stray Kids’ DOMINATE World Tour screening due to reportedly low interest, local K-pop fans stepped in to prove otherwise.
STAYs across the country mobilised — forming community groups, launching petitions, sending direct messages and emails to Ster-Kinekor, and organising across social media platforms to demonstrate that there was strong demand to see the film locally.
Their efforts paid off.
While the screening may have arrived slightly later than in other parts of the world, Nelson Mandela Bay fans showed up in full force when the DOMINATE World Tour cinema experience was officially screened at Ster-Kinekor Baywest Mall this weekend.
Local fan Kayleen Lottering, who attended the screening and handed out small thank-you gifts to fellow STAYs, was among those who helped lead the push to bring the film to Gqeberha.
“It has been rather challenging to have the Stray Kids DOMINATE concert aired at Ster-Kinekor. However, with the efforts of multiple STAYs, including myself, we managed to be successful.
We understand the various reasons in terms of numbers and costing to have it aired here, but we showed up and showed that we are a united fandom that truly admires Stray Kids, their music, their efforts, and the countless hours they put into performing for fans all around the world.
Being given the opportunity to ‘be there’, even though it’s not in person just yet, means everything to us.”
Lottering is now part of a local fan-led initiative working to organise future K-pop-related events in Nelson Mandela Bay, with more community-driven experiences expected in the near future.
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