Qadasi & Maqhinga Bring Maskandi to the International Big Screen
Award-winning maskandi duo Qadasi & Maqhinga are set to showcase their music career on the global stage with their documentary, Squash Box. The film has been nominated for the SmartFone Flick Fest (SF3) Film Festival at Sydney Opera House in Australia, premiering on 23 January 2026.
Hailing from Empangeni in KwaZulu-Natal, the duo is unique in the maskandi and folk scene. Qadasi, whose real name is David Jenkins, is a mlungu who sings maskandi and speaks isiZulu, while Maqhinga Radebe brings traditional Zulu roots to their sound. Together, they have carved a niche blending cultures through music.
The duo formed in 2010 when Qadasi visited Maqhinga for guidance on adapting his concertina to a maskandi tune. Their collaboration flourished, reflecting South Africa’s rainbow nation in their music. Since then, they have released three albums and won Best Traditional Album at the South African Music Awards in 2020 for Ungabanaki.
Qadasi & Maqhinga spend much of their time touring internationally. They returned from Germany in May 2025 and have built a loyal following, particularly in Ireland and Germany, where audiences embrace folk and maskandi music. They first performed together in Ireland in 2013 and have steadily expanded their international fan base.
Squash Box took two years to complete, with a South African director following the duo both locally and overseas. Maqhinga expressed excitement to Daily Sun about the nomination, highlighting the effort and dedication behind the documentary. Qadasi emphasized that the short film captures special moments from their performances in South Africa and abroad, and it will feature in multiple festivals before becoming available online.
The documentary not only celebrates their musical journey but also introduces international audiences to the richness of maskandi music. By bringing their story to platforms like the Sydney Opera House, Qadasi & Maqhinga are cementing their place as cultural ambassadors for South African music.
