Thandiswa Mazwai Launches Sankofa Heritage Festival to Celebrate 50th Birthday and 30 Years in Music

Fans of South African music are preparing for a landmark celebration as Thandiswa Mazwai launches the Sankofa Heritage Festival. The event, marking her 50th birthday and three decades in the music industry, will take place on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Carnival City in Johannesburg.

Supported by the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture through its Mzansi Golden Economy Initiative, the festival promises to be a major cultural moment. Mazwai, a multi-award-winning artist whose career has shaped the sound of post-apartheid South Africa, will headline the evening.

Mazwai first rose to prominence with the groundbreaking group Bongo Maffin before establishing a solo career that continues to influence African music. Her genre-blending style has earned her acclaim for pushing the boundaries of traditional and contemporary sounds. Her latest album, Sankofa, is nominated for five South African Music Awards (Samas), further cementing her place as one of the country’s most influential artists.

The name Sankofa, drawn from the Ghanaian Twi word meaning “to go back and fetch what has been left behind,” reflects Mazwai’s ongoing exploration of identity, heritage, and African culture. The festival will feature a line-up of artists representing different sounds and generations across the continent, with details to be announced closer to the event.

Reflecting on her journey, Mazwai said, “It’s almost unbelievable that I am now turning 50 and have spent more than half my life in the world of music. My first radio hit was 30 years ago with a group called Jacknife, and I am honoured to still be one of the top nominated artists at the Samas for my album Sankofa. I have been truly blessed.”

She added, “There is a need for more artist-curated festivals that centre music, freedom and community. I am excited to add my own voice to that intention. I am creating this festival to give space to upcoming artists and to celebrate our cultures and collective humanity.”

The Sankofa Heritage Festival is set to become a defining moment in South Africa’s music calendar, celebrating the legacy of one of the country’s most influential artists while providing a platform for new voices and cultural expression.