Brakpan – Celebrated South African musician and cultural activist Thandiswa Mazwai has announced Grammy-nominated artist Somi and acclaimed South African singer Msaki as co-headliners for the first-ever Sankofa Heritage Festival. The festival will take place on Saturday, 28 February 2026, at Carnival City in Brakpan, South Africa.
The event marks Mazwai’s 50th birthday and three decades in the music industry, while aiming to create a recurring platform for celebrating African heritage and artistic expression. Mazwai will also perform with guest artists, with additional names expected to be revealed ahead of the festival.
Somi, whose work draws on Rwandan and Ugandan archives, collaborated with Mazwai on an album dedicated to Miriam Makeba. Msaki, recognized for mentoring emerging artists, will perform alongside musicians from Sudan and Kenya.
In support of emerging talent, the festival has launched an opening act competition for traditional musicians, bands, and groups. Winners will secure a performance slot at the festival. Entries close on 31 January 2026, with winners announced on 11 February. Interested artists can apply at www.thandiswa.com/sankofa-festival.
The Sankofa Heritage Festival is backed by the South African Department of Sports Arts and Culture’s Mzansi Golden Economy Initiative. It draws inspiration from the concept of Sankofa, which means “to go back and fetch it,” reflecting a focus on preserving indigenous African music.
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