When a legend speaks, the culture listens and this time, Thandiswa Mazwai isn’t just performing, she’s creating space.
On 28 February 2026, Carnival City will come alive with the inaugural Sankofa Heritage Festival, a powerful new cultural movement dedicated to preserving, celebrating and reimagining indigenous African music. More than just a festival, Sankofa is a call to remember where we come from — and to boldly carry that heritage into the future.
True to her lifelong commitment to African identity, language and sound, Thandiswa Mazwai will co-headline the festival alongside GRAMMY-nominated artist Somi (Rwanda/Uganda) and the soulful Msaki. Together, these formidable women represent the past, present and future of African music on a global stage.
Supported by the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture through the Mzansi Golden Economy Initiative, the festival marks the beginning of what promises to become an annual African cultural landmark — one that places indigenous music at the centre, not the margins.
But perhaps the most powerful element of the Sankofa Heritage Festival is not just who is headlining — it’s who Thandiswa is inviting to rise. In an extraordinary move that reflects her legacy as both an artist and cultural custodian, Thandiswa Mazwai is calling on upcoming traditional musicians, bands and groups to step forward. Through an open competition, one winning act will earn the rare opportunity to open the festival — performing on the same stage as some of Africa’s most celebrated voices.
This is more than an opening slot.
It’s visibility. It’s validation. It’s a bridge between generations.
For emerging musicians rooted in indigenous sound, ancestral instruments, traditional vocal styles and African storytelling, this moment could be career-defining.
Key Dates to Remember
- Application Deadline: 31 January 2026
- Winners Announced: 11 February 2026
- Festival Date: 28 February 2026
- Venue: Carnival City
👉 Apply here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScrT9f4XEhBE53TwSjIHA-a_ii_yi3M2fndmCw96Y6MjYw09w/viewform
Sankofa: Returning to Move Forward
“Sankofa” — a word rooted in African philosophy — teaches us that we must return to our past in order to build our future. Through this festival, Thandiswa Mazwai is living that philosophy, not only through her music, but through her actions.
At a time when traditional music often struggles for platforms in mainstream spaces, the Sankofa Heritage Festival boldly declares that our indigenous sounds are not outdated — they are timeless.
For musicians carrying the rhythms of their ancestors, this is your moment.
For audiences hungry for authenticity, this is your festival. And for African culture, this is a powerful step forward — led by a legend who has never stopped opening doors.
The future of African music is calling. Will you answer?