The stage is set for another celebration of African music as the 2nd Unisa African Music Festival returns to the ZK Matthews Great Hall on Friday, 21 August 2026.

Following the success of last year’s inaugural festival, the two-day event will once again bring together traditional African sounds and contemporary musical expression, offering Unisa staff, students and members of the public an opportunity to experience the richness and diversity of the continent’s musical heritage.

Presented by the Unisa Music Foundation, the festival will explore the versatility of indigenous instruments such as the mbira, marimba, bow and percussion, while showcasing how these traditional sounds continue to evolve through jazz, Afro-fusion and other contemporary musical forms.

At the heart of the festival is a celebration of African musical heritage, innovation and collaboration. Audiences can expect performances that move seamlessly between traditional ensemble music and solo performances, while demonstrating how African musical traditions continue to influence and connect with global sounds.

The festival opens at 18:00 on Friday with an impressive line-up led by renowned Zimbabwean jazz guitarist Louis Mhlanga.

Mhlanga will headline an evening that brings together some of the finest practitioners of Zimbabwean traditional and contemporary music.

Joining him will be Zimbabwean mbira masters Mudavanhu "Solomon" Magaya and Laina Gumboreshumba, who will both teach and perform, allowing audiences to experience the depth and history of the mbira tradition.

The Totem Marimba Band, led by virtuoso percussionist Mike Sibanda, will add another dimension to the evening with its energetic interpretation of African musical traditions.

The opening concert will culminate in a special collaboration featuring Mhlanga and his band alongside Sibanda and internationally acclaimed mbira musician Othnell "Mangoma" Moyo. Together, they will present a selection of African and contemporary classics, creating a fitting finale to the festival's opening night.

The festival concludes on Saturday with a gala evening beginning at 18:00, bringing together blues, jazz, kwela and indigenous African music in a celebration of cultural expression.

Headlining the evening will be Freshlyground, the multi-award-winning South African Afro-fusion band known for its distinctive blend of African rhythms, traditional instrumentation and contemporary influences.

Freshlyground to headline the Gala Evening

The group will perform music from its latest album, Take Me Home, alongside selections that have established Freshlyground as one of the country’s most celebrated Afro-fusion acts.

The gala will also feature Nomapostile Nyiki, whose performance on vocals and the uHadi will showcase the richness of Xhosa indigenous music, complemented by an intimate percussion ensemble.

Adding to the evening's celebration will be RUmband, an award-winning marimba and African percussion ensemble from Makhanda, bringing its distinctive energy and musicianship to the ZK Matthews Great Hall.

Moyo will return for the gala to present a showcase featuring 11 different mbira instruments. He will perform alongside Magaya, highlighting a musical tradition and mbira lineage deeply rooted in Zimbabwean cultural heritage.

More than a concert, the Unisa African Music Festival provides a platform for audiences to engage with Africa's musical heritage while experiencing how traditional instruments, sounds and performance practices continue to find new expression in contemporary music.

For Unisa staff and students, the festival offers an opportunity to step away from the demands of the academic and working year and experience an evening of music, culture and creativity on campus.

With two evenings featuring internationally respected musicians, award-winning ensembles and unique musical collaborations, the 2nd Unisa African Music Festival promises to be a memorable celebration of the sounds that connect Africa’s past, present and future.

The festival takes place at 18:00 on 21 and 22 August 2026 at the ZK Matthews Great Hall.

* By Nontsikelelo Ndebele, Communications Intern, Department of Institutional Advancement