Mzantsi Jazz Awards Launches Continental Category to Strengthen African Unity Through Music

Across Africa, music has always travelled freely — crossing borders, blending traditions, and building communities long before politics drew lines on maps.

In South Africa, this spirit of artistic openness remains alive and central to who we are.

The Mzantsi Jazz Awards has, for ten years, championed this truth: African musicians are not foreigners to one another — they are collaborators, co-creators, and cultural kin.

A Decade of Cross-Border Collaboration

From our inception, the Awards have recognized and celebrated cross-border jazz partnerships.

Collaborations such as Aaron Rimbui (Kenya) with Ayanda Sikade and Herbie Tsoaeli (South Africa), NLite’s continental project, and Moreira Chonguica’s acclaimed international jazz album have demonstrated what we have always known — African jazz is inherently borderless.

In 2025, this commitment took a historic step forward when radio show host, Peter Fisher (aka The BassMan) of Nigerian media company, PF Music partnered with the Mzantsi Jazz Awards to expand the reach and benefits of the awards across the continent.

From this sponsorship, the Best African Jazz Album/Artist category was born — a category designed to celebrate, elevate, and unite jazz creators from every corner of Africa.

A Commitment to Unity

This new category is more than an award.

It is a cultural statement and commitment to this vision.

Especially at a time when public narratives sometimes paint South Africa as divided or unwelcoming, the Mzantsi Jazz Awards stands firmly on the side of unity.

Our stages, our categories, and our vision reflect a simple truth: African music is borderless!

Music Unites!

Jazz has always been a language of connection — and we intend to keep it that way.

Celebrating 10 Years

As we celebrate our 10th anniversary on 15 August 2026, we invite all who believe in a united African creative community to rally behind these musicians.

Play their music.

Share it.

Support it.

Vote for it.

Buy it.

And most importantly, join us in person as we honor the artists who continue to prove that Africa’s strength lies in collaboration, not division.

Tickets are available at Webtickets, and group bookings can be arranged through the MJA office.