The Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF) remains one of Africa’s most celebrated music events and a major highlight on the global jazz calendar.
Since its launch in 2000, the festival has grown from a small local gathering into a major international cultural platform that brings together audiences from across Cape Town’s suburbs, South Africa, and the world.
Often referred to as “Africa’s Grandest Gathering,” the festival continues to showcase a blend of local talent and international artists while strengthening Cape Town’s reputation as a global music destination.
The festival began as the Cape Town North Sea Jazz Festival, a collaboration between South African events company espAfrika and Dutch organisers Mojo Concerts BV, who are known for the prestigious North Sea Jazz Festival in the Netherlands.
The first event was held at the Good Hope Centre in District Six, attracting about 6 000 attendees and marking an important moment for Cape Town’s live music scene.
As its popularity grew, the festival quickly outgrew the venue and moved to the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) in 2004, where it has been hosted ever since.
The partnership with the Dutch festival ended in 2005, and the event was officially renamed the Cape Town International Jazz Festival.
More than just a music event, CTIJF has become a cultural and educational platform that supports communities across Cape Town, from Green Point and Table View to Khayelitsha and surrounding suburbs.
The festival hosts workshops, masterclasses, and industry discussions where emerging musicians can learn about jazz traditions, improvisation, and the business of music.
The festival also hosts a free community concert at Greenmarket Square, ensuring that live music remains accessible to wider audiences and reinforcing its community-focused spirit.
Since 2007, the festival has been supported through investment interests linked to the Survé family, whose backing has helped sustain and expand the festival’s cultural and educational programmes.
Their contributions have supported youth development initiatives, including music education, instrument donations, and scholarship opportunities for young musicians.
In recent years, the family also committed an additional R100 million towards the festival’s long-term sustainability and cultural development.
Over its two-decade history, CTIJF has hosted some of the world’s most respected jazz and contemporary artists.
International performers such as Herbie Hancock, Youssou N’Dour, and India Arie have appeared at earlier festivals, while South African legends including Abdullah Ibrahim and the late Miriam Makeba have also performed.
British acid jazz group Incognito has also been among the global acts that helped build the festival’s international reputation.
In recent years, the festival has continued to evolve by showcasing genre-blending artists. Grammy-winning South African DJ Black Coffee performed in 2025 in collaboration with jazz pianist Nduduzo Makhathini, blending jazz, electronic and African musical influences.
American R&B artist Masego also appeared with his distinctive “TrapHouseJazz” sound, alongside singers such as Ari Lennox. Local artists including Thandiswa Mazwai, Lira, Kyle Shepherd, Benjamin Jephta, Linda Sikhakhane and Victor Masondo Quartet have also performed.
The festival has played a major role in promoting South African music talent, helping launch and sustain the careers of artists such as Freshlyground, Simphiwe Dana, Shekhinah, Goldfish, GoodLuck, The Soil and Sho Madjozi.
Earlier editions also featured jazz icons such as Don Laka, Hugh Masekela and Bheki Mseleku, strengthening CTIJF’s legacy as a home for African jazz heritage.
Beyond entertainment, the festival contributes significantly to Cape Town’s economy.
Research from the Tourism Research in Economics, Environs and Society (TREES) unit at North-West University estimated that the 2024 edition generated approximately R119 million in economic activity, supporting jobs across tourism, hospitality, transport and event production industries.
As the festival looks ahead to future editions, including 2026, CTIJF continues to represent Cape Town’s cultural diversity while strengthening community connections across the city’s suburbs.
