Thandiswa Mazwai is entering a powerful new chapter, and she’s inviting the world to celebrate with her. As the iconic artist turns 50 and commemorates 31 years in the entertainment industry, Mazwai has announced the launch of Sankofa Heritage Fest, a festival rooted in memory, culture, and musical legacy.
Named after her fourth studio album, Sankofa, the festival draws its meaning from the ancient Adinkra symbol of the Akan people of Ghana. Sankofa translates to “go back and get it,” a reminder that it is not taboo to retrieve what is at risk of being forgotten. It is a philosophy that mirrors Mazwai’s life’s work: honouring the past while shaping the future through sound, language, and spirit.
The Sankofa Heritage Fest will take place on 28 February 2026 at Carnival City, transforming the venue into a space of reflection, celebration, and African excellence. More than a concert, the festival is positioned as a cultural gathering, one that honours lineage, collaboration, and the enduring power of Black artistry.
Thandiswa Mazwai stands as one of South Africa’s most respected and influential musical figures. Her journey can be traced back to the late 1990s as a member of the groundbreaking group Bongo Maffin, who reshaped the sound of kwaito and Afro-urban music. With timeless hits like Thath’isgubhu in the late ’90s and The way Kungakhona in the early 2000s, Mazwai helped define a generation’s soundtrack while pushing the genre into global conversations.
Her solo career further cemented her as a fearless creative force, politically conscious, spiritually grounded, and sonically adventurous. Over the years, she has collaborated with legends such as the late Bra Hugh Masekela, and has consistently credited Miriam Makeba and Busi Mhlongo as towering inspirations. Mazwai often speaks of these women with reverence, acknowledging how their courage, activism, and artistry live on through her work.
True to her word, Mazwai has promised a festival lineup filled with “friends,” and her first artist announcement reflects exactly that. South African singer-songwriter Msaki has been confirmed, alongside internationally acclaimed American artist Somi, a pairing that signals both depth and global resonance. It’s a strong, soulful beginning to what promises to be a carefully curated and meaningful lineup.
Sankofa Heritage Fest is not just a celebration of age or longevity, it is a declaration of power, memory, and purpose. It is Thandiswa Mazwai looking back, reaching forward, and reminding us all that our stories, sounds, and roots are worth returning to.
Tickets are available at Computicket
Recent stories by:
Sindeka Mandoyi
Trevor Noah returns as GRAMMY host as Fela Kuti makes African history with lifetime achievement honour
5 Summer reads to keep you turning pages
Teyana Taylor wins first Golden Globe after 20 years in entertainment
Barbie’s first autistic doll is more than representation — It’s a necessary shift
Big Brother Mzansi Season 6: Meet Bazozwa housemates and some familiar faces
GLAMOUR Recommends
South Africa reacts to Stogie T’s explosive single “Four Horsemen” featuring Maggz, A-Reece and Nasty C
GLAMOUR’s Most GLAMOURous 2025: A stylish throwback to the women redefining South African fashion
Introducing GLAMOUR’s Most Glamorous 2025 Award Winners
An evening of art, fashion, and elegance at the Zeitz MOCAA 2025 Gala Dinner
Thandiswa Mazwai: “This pandemic has left many of us with no hope, no joy, no drive...’’
Thandiswa Presents Highly Anticipated Single 'Kulungile' Featuring Nduduzo Makhathini from Upcoming Album 'Sankofa'
