South African rebel singer Thandiswa Mazwai on the Kippies stage during the 22nd Cape Town International Jazz Festival.
Image: Armand Hough / Independent Newspapers
The rhythm may have faded and the lights dimmed on this past weekend’s Cape Town International Jazz Festival, but the energy is still pulsing through the city.
With over 24 000 people in attendance, the Mother City was alive with music, connection, and culture - an unforgettable experience that left fans, artists, and industry leaders breathless.
And just as the city starts to return to its usual tempo, espAfrika, the powerhouse organisers behind the festival, have dropped another beat: next year’s festival will take place on March 27 and 28, 2026.
Thousands of people from across the globe attended the CTIJF 2025 where top local and international artists took to the stage.
Image: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers
Diarise it now because if this year was anything to go by, next year promises to be even more spectacular.
Pulling off a festival of this magnitude was no small feat. It took grit, grace, and sheer determination - and the exceptional team of women behind the scenes delivered with brilliance.
“This year’s festival was a labour of love, a celebration of resilience and a return to what we know Cape Town does best - host the world with style, sound and soul,” said Shaakirah Adams, head of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival.
“The response has been overwhelming - from sold-out shows to the electric social media buzz. We are proud, we are grateful, and we are already planning how to make next year even more unforgettable.
”The response has been nothing short of phenomenal: glowing reviews, wall-to-wall crowds, and social feeds exploding with praise. But none of it would be possible without the unwavering support of our partners, sponsors, and most importantly, the vision and backing of the Survé family. As owners of the festival, the Survé family - and in particular, Rayhaan Survé, who played a critical oversight role - have been deeply involved in both planning and execution."
Their commitment to the arts is not just symbolic; it’s part of a far-reaching philanthropic mission that stretches across the African continent.
Black Coffee and Nduduzo Makhathini closed their show strongly, elevating the spirit of CTIJF to new heights.
Image: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers
“People always asked me what the jazz festival is really about. For the first time, I don’t have to tell them. On Friday, the collaboration between Nduduzo Makhatini and Black Coffee showcased jazz as the foundation that invited all genres of music onto the stage."
"On Saturday, Thandiswa Mazwai led a spiritual awakening of 7 000 people, some of whom have never experienced South African culture. This past weekend captured a transition of the festival to become so much more than an event but a reconnection to cultural identity across generations, genres and demographics. "
"The CTIJF truly captures all that we hope to achieve as a country,” said Rayhaan speaking on behalf of the Survé family.
The CTIJF not only creates thousands of jobs - from artists and vendors to technical crews and hospitality staff - but it also injects millions into the economy of the Western Cape and South Africa at large.
Just as importantly, it provides an essential platform for young and emerging artists to collaborate with musical legends, fostering growth, mentorship, and global exposure.
This year’s festival had a distinctly international flavour, with a genre-spanning, boundary-breaking lineup from across the globe.
Cape Times
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