Survé Family at the heart of Africa's Grandest Gathering - next festival set for March 2026
The rhythm may have faded and the lights dimmed on this past weekend's Cape Town International Jazz Festival, but the energy is still pulsing through the city. With over 24,000 people in attendance, the Mother City was alive with music, connection, and culture - an unforgettable experience that left fans, artists, and industry leaders breathless.
And just as the city starts to return to its usual tempo, espAfrika, the powerhouse organisers behind the festival, have dropped another beat: next year's festival will take place on March 27 and 28, 2026.
Diarise it now because if this year was anything to go by, next year promises to be even more spectacular.Pulling off a festival of this magnitude was no small feat. It took grit, grace, and sheer determination - and the exceptional team of women behind the scenes delivered with brilliance.
'This year's festival was a labour of love, a celebration of resilience and a return to what we know Cape Town does best - host the world with style, sound and soul,' said Shaakirah Adams, the head of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival.
'The response has been overwhelming - from sold-out shows to the electric social media buzz. We are proud, we are grateful, and we are already planning how to make next year even more unforgettable.
'The response has been nothing short of phenomenal: glowing reviews, wall-to-wall crowds, and social feeds exploding with praise. But none of it would be possible without the unwavering support of our partners, sponsors, and most importantly, the vision and backing of the Survé family.As owners of the festival, the Survé family - and in particular, Rayhaan Survé, who played a critical oversight role - have been deeply involved in both planning and execution.
Their commitment to the arts is not just symbolic; it's part of a far-reaching philanthropic mission that stretches across the African continent.
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