Award-winning musician and culture activist Thandiswa Mazwai’s Sankofa Heritage Festival Announces Somi and Msaki as Co-Headliners and Launches Opening Act Competition
The Sankofa Heritage Festival, founded by Mazwai, announced Grammy-nominated artist Somi (Rwanda/Uganda) and acclaimed South African musician Msaki as co-headliners for the festival’s inaugural edition.
Taking place on Saturday, 28 February 2026, at Carnival City, the Sankofa Heritage Festival marks Thandiswa Mazwai’s 50th birthday and 30 years in the music industry, while launching what is set to become an annual cultural gathering celebrating African heritage and artistic legacy.
Thandiswa Mazwai will also be joined by additional guest artists during her performance, with further names to be announced in due course.
“I am so excited to have my dear friends Somi and Msaki as co-headliners for the inaugural year of Sankofa Fest,” says Thandiswa Mazwai.
“They have been very dear sisters to me for many years, and we have been appearing at each other’s events all over the world. Somi is a Rwandan/Ugandan musician who centres archives in her work, and we have worked together on her album dedicated to Miriam Makeba. Msaki is more than a musician — she is a cultural worker who has activated many young artists’ careers. For Sankofa Fest, she will be appearing with an ensemble that includes artists from Sudan and Kenya.”
Opening Act Competition
In keeping with the festival’s commitment to heritage, the Sankofa Heritage Festival has launched an opening act competition for upcoming traditional musicians, groups, and bands. This initiative aims to spotlight emerging talent rooted in indigenous African musical forms and provide a major platform for the next generation of cultural practitioners.
· Competition details: www.thandiswa.com/sankofa-festival
· Deadline for entries: 31 January 2026
· Winners announced: 11 February 2026
The Sankofa Heritage Festival is dedicated to celebrating indigenous African music and artistic expression. Inspired by the concept of Sankofa — meaning “to go back and fetch it” — the festival bridges the past, present, and future through sound, storytelling, and shared cultural memory.
This inaugural edition has been made possible with the support of the Department of Sports Arts and Culture’s Mzansi Golden Economy Initiative.
Event: Sankofa Heritage Festival
Date: Saturday, 28 February 2026, 6pm onwards
Venue: Big Top Arena, Carnival City, Johannesburg
Ticket link: https://computicket.com/event/sankofa-fest-ft-thandiswa-and-friends/7352993
Bongi Sikelo 
admin 