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Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse performs on the Kippies stage during the Cape Town International Jazz Festival. Photo: Armand Hough

Forty years of fire: Sipho ‘Hotstix’ Mabuse ignites Cape Town Jazz Fest

Witnessing his fans dancing to ‘Burn Out’ proved to Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse his enduring power. The legend talks about his energy-filled performance at the Cape Town International…

Powerful presence: Fatoumata Diawara performing at the CTIJF 2026. Photo: Armand Hough

Fatoumata Diawara channels ancestry and activism in Cape Town

Blending Malian heritage with high-energy pop, Fatoumata Diawara used the CTIJF stage to honour her roots and confront FGM, proving that heritage and modern activism are…

British multi-instrumentalist and seven-time Grammy winner Jacob Collier performs on the Kippies stage at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival in Cape Town. Picture / Henk Kruger / Independent Media

Reinventing the Cape Town International Jazz Festival without losing the jazz

Co-director Georgia Jones says the festival’s future depends on championing African artists, drawing younger audiences and making space for genres like amapiano without losing…

In her own words: The Mail & Guardian’s multimedia journalist Busi Lethole explores her vocal range. Photo: Nova4Media
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How I became a rockstar in four months

Rebecca Malope sparked a fire in me as a child. Decades later, I honoured that flame with my first full-band performance

A woman harvests crops in Kenya.  Biotech firms
are piling pressure
on farmers to grow
GMO crops. (Photo by DeAgostini/Getty Images)

Big Agriculture is watching critics, pesticides and GMO food

A new investigation details a covert campaign that companies such as Monsanto, now Bayer, and Syngenta waged against critics who threatened its profit

School of hard knocks: Jazz drummer Gontse Makhene has a debut album in the pipeline. Photo: Solomon Moremong

A phoenix from the ashes

Jazz percussionist Gontse Makhene is rebuilding his life after a devastating blaze at his home

Take note: In Tutu Puoane’s music, time and pace is everything. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy

Tutu Puoane back on the South African stage after two years away

She may have left South Africa more than 20 years ago, but this jazz singer is still firmly rooted in her heritage

Author Ntozake Shange speaks at the 40th anniversary of For Colored Girls. (Rob Kim/Getty Images/AFP)

Shange paid the price for her honesty

Her book gifted me a vision of myself and many black women who carried my world

Bono:“We are all deeply sorry. I hate bullying

Bono’s charity admits to ‘toxic’ bullying at South Africa office

​The ONE Campaign―the anti-corruption charity fronted by U2 lead singer Bono― is embroiled in a major bullying scandal

London-based producer Tall Black Guy commands the dancefloor during his set at a Weheartbeat event.

Weheartbeat’s niche brand packs a punchy pulse

Weheartbeat prides itself on its intimate performances. This year the collective is set to expand

Flamboyant: World star Papa Wemba dies at 66.  Photo: AFP/Getty Images
Video

Papa Wemba leaves in style

Kwanele Sosibo remembers the flamboyant Congolese performer who died at 66.

Explaining: ANC chairperson Gwede Mantashe (centre) made the party’s first submission to the Zondo commission. (Masi Losi/Gallo Images/Sowetan)

Prince: So long you sexy motherf*cker

Three South African musicians talk about the spell of the purple one.

No chameleon: Prince sat comfortably with his myriad conflicting selves.

The politics of Prince

Rhodes University’s Vashna Jagarnath explains why she teaches her history students about Prince.

Tom Hayes would work up to 12 hours a day
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Zwelakhe-Duma Bell le Pere’s ‘Sapphire’ refracts emotions

Bell le Pere is a helluva name but so is the music he played at Jo’burg’s The Orbit.

Prince

Music Review: Prince and his two-phase revolution

A year after his successful twin-album comeback, the Purple One does his thing again.

Video

Zolani Mahola on how to stay grounded and fresh

Zolani Mahola talks about ‘Sing-Off SA’, how her band keeps on experimenting and her future plans.

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Souad Massi: Songs in praise of freedom

Singer-songwriter Souad Massi talks history, politics, new music and giving hope to freedom fighters.

Souad Massi: ​Songs in praise of freedom

With a new album out, the Algerian singer uses her music to give hope to people fighting for freedom in the Arab world.

Staying true to the art: Aloe Blacc’s music journey

American singer Aloe Blacc talks about his transformation in the music industry, his experience at Oppikoppi and his views on the state of hip-hop.

U2 Mandela song wins Golden Globe

"Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom" producer Anant Singh has congratulated rock band U2 for its win at the Golden Globe awards over the weekend.