By mixing the rhythms and vocal harmonies of traditional South African music with the sounds of gospel, pop and soul, Ladysmith Black Mambazo have created a distinctive sound that has kept them in business for 40 years and won them fans from across the globe. more

South African music culture is made up of diverse genres, from hip hop, kwaito and gospel to pop and alternative rock. Jazz has a special place in South African music culture and South African artists are well-known for pushing musical boundaries and doing things in new and exciting ways. more

Vusi Mahlasela, dubbed the 'Bob Dylan of South Africa' by long-time admirer, friend and fellow musician Dave Matthews, spent his youth in Mamelodi, an artistically creative township and hotbed of political activism. A prolific poet and songwriter since his early teens, Mahalsela is one of South Africa’s most acclaimed musicians. more

The multiculturalism of Johannesburg's Sophiatown in the 1940s nurtured the dreams of a non-racial country. These dreams came to life in the music, art and writing of a talented group of Sophiatown's jazz musicians and intellectuals. This vision of what South Africa could be inspired a generation and Sophiatown’s legacy lives on today. more

South African jazz may have been born the 1950s, but its children have grown up in the new South Africa. Their talent speaks for itself as a new generation of young jazz musicians finds its voice by blending local rhythms and world jazz trends, creating new sounds in pursuit of that perfect phrase. more

By its nature, jazz doesn’t stick to the rules. Those who first performed this mainly improvised musical style in South Africa were rule breakers. They combined traditional African sounds with jazz and blues. They introduced modern instrumentation and additional elements of American jazz to musical forms that were deeply rooted in African traditions. more

A series of free workshops teaching young musicians the intricacies of their craft is just one of the ways that jazz cares for the community in South Africa. These help to nurture and inspire some of South Africa’s most exciting young music talents by giving them access to world-class expertise, regardless of their economic backgrounds. more

South African jazz is made up of a series of wide-ranging influences which have evolved to express a distinctive sound. Jazz fans from around the world appreciate the skill and talent of South African jazz musicians and the country hosts a number of prominent jazz concerts and festivals throughout the year. more

A Cape jazz safari is an intimate evening excursion into the living rooms of Cape jazz and goema music virtuoso’s. Described as part township tour, part soiree, and part social history crash-course, music lovers will also discover Cape Town’s distinguished jazz heritage, and visit a renowned township jazz club. more

The Soweto String Quartet is one of South Africa’s favourite musical ensembles. Their take on classical music incorporates the dance rhythms of kwela, the syncopated guitars of mbaqanga, and the saxophones and trumpets of African jazz to produce music that is fresh, funky and proudly South African. more

South African opera has a growing cast of accomplished and dedicated stars. From Faust to Strauss, there is very little our local sopranos and baritones cannot master, while South African icons and stories continue to inspire new works by South African and international composers. more