Cape Town — In a performance that blurred the lines between concert and ritual, Thandiswa Mazwai lit up the Kippies stage on the final night of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival at the CTICC.
Carrying the spirit of South African culture in every note, Mazwai captivated a packed house with a show that was both a celebration and a ceremony. As blue lights bathed the venue and generations of fans filled the space, the anticipation was electric. When Mazwai finally emerged, the crowd erupted — and from her first song, the Kippies stage became a temple of sound and spirit.
Mazwai’s powerful vocals commanded the room, but it was her deep connection with the audience that made the night unforgettable. Fans serenaded her with her own lyrics, a moving testament to her enduring influence and the communal power of her music.
Celebrating Kwaito’s staying power even as newer genres like hip-hop and amapiano dominate the scene, Mazwai proved that her music — bold, liberating, and deeply rooted in African identity and spirituality — remains as vital as ever.
Throughout the night, her performance was imbued with a shamanistic energy, weaving themes of liberation, ancestry, and self-expression.
Launching her career in the wake of apartheid with groups like Jack-Knife and Bongo Maffin, Mazwai rose to fame with six award-winning albums before stepping out solo with her double platinum debut Zabalaza in 2004. Her latest offering, Sankofa — featuring collaborations with Meshell Ndegeocello, Nduduzo Makhathini, Thandi Ntuli, and Tendai Shoko — took center stage, thrilling fans who hung onto every note.
On a night that was part history, part homecoming, Thandiswa Mazwai didn’t just perform — she transported.
Source: African Publicity
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