Discipline of Music, Drama and Performance

PRESS RELEASE

An Evening with Vusi Mahlasela: A Celebration of Music, Heritage, Hope and the Human Spirit.

Vusi Mahlasela makes his UKZN Centre for Jazz and Popular Music debut on Saturday, 31 October 2026 at 17h00.

The University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Centre for Jazz and Popular Music (CJPM) is proud to present an extraordinary evening with one of South Africa’s most celebrated musical voices, Vusi Mahlasela, affectionately known simply as ‘The Voice’.

Taking place on Saturday, 31 October 2026 from 17h00 onwards, An Evening with Vusi Mahlasela marks the acclaimed singer-songwriter, poet and activist’s first performance at the UKZN Centre for Jazz and Popular Music. The evening promises a powerful celebration of music, heritage, hope and the enduring strength of the human spirit.

The concert is proudly sponsored by the Cameron Schier Foundation and is being held in support of the Ronnie Madonsela Scholarship, which provides financial assistance to jazz students and helps create meaningful opportunities for emerging young musicians. The scholarship also facilitates student participation in the National Youth Jazz Festival, while supporting other educational and developmental opportunities. Proceeds from the concert will further contribute to the Centre for Jazz and Popular Music’s outreach programmes, extending the Centre’s impact beyond the university and into the broader community.

Mahlasela is renowned for his distinctive and powerful voice, as well as his poetic and deeply optimistic songwriting. His music has become part of the soundtrack of South Africa’s journey from the trauma and injustice of apartheid towards the promise of a more hopeful and inclusive future.

Born and raised in Mamelodi, Pretoria, where he continues to live, Mahlasela discovered music at an early age. Self-taught on guitar, he developed his voice as a singer-songwriter and poet-activist, later becoming involved with the Congress of South African Writers. His music has consistently reflected his commitment to social justice, freedom, dignity and the transformative power of hope.

Following the release of his popular debut album, When You Come Back, on BMG Africa, Mahlasela was invited to perform at Nelson Mandela’s historic inauguration in 1994. Since then, his career has taken him to stages around the world, where he has performed and collaborated with internationally acclaimed artists including Dave Matthews Band, Sting, Paul Simon and Josh Groban.

Over the past two decades, Mahlasela has released nine acclaimed albums, establishing himself as an influential figure in South African and global music. His latest release, Shebeen Queen on ATO Records, celebrates the vibrant musical culture of his hometown and the shebeen culture he first encountered at his grandmother’s shebeen. The album is a deeply personal reflection of place, memory, community and the rich musical traditions that shaped him.

Mahlasela’s extraordinary contribution to music and culture has earned him numerous accolades. In 2014, the South African Music Awards (SAMA) honoured him with a Lifetime Achievement Award. He has also served as an ambassador for Nelson Mandela’s 46664 campaign, which raised awareness around the HIV/AIDS crisis in South Africa.

His contribution extends beyond music. Mahlasela holds an honorary doctorate from Rhodes University and was recently awarded a second honorary doctorate by the University of KwaZulu-Natal. His cultural contribution has also been recognised nationally, including with an Ubuntu and Culture award from President Cyril Ramaphosa. Former President Jacob Zuma awarded Mahlasela the National Order of Ikhamanga, recognising his contribution to drawing attention to the injustices that isolated South Africa from the global community during the apartheid years.

For the UKZN Centre for Jazz and Popular Music, welcoming Mahlasela for his first performance at the Centre is a significant occasion. His music speaks across generations and borders, connecting South Africa’s history with its present and future through song, storytelling and an unwavering belief in humanity.

The concert also reflects the Centre’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of jazz musicians. Through the Ronnie Madonsela Scholarship and its outreach initiatives, the Centre continues to create pathways for talented young people to access education, performance opportunities, festivals and professional development.

An Evening with Vusi Mahlasela will therefore be more than a concert. It will be an evening that brings together music, education, heritage, community and social investment, while celebrating an artist whose work has become synonymous with hope, freedom and the human spirit. The UKZN Jazz voice students will perform a short opening set.

Media enquiries and further information:
UKZN Centre for Jazz and Popular Music
Thulile Zama 031260 3385