Dutch Musician Joep Pelt Brings South African Guitar Traditions to the World

New platform ‘Guitar Globetrotter’ launches in 2026, bridging generations through sound

In October 2025, Dutch musician and producer Joep Pelt returns to South Africa to work on unique new content for his upcoming guitar education platform, Guitar Globetrotter. His mission is to capture, preserve and share the living, breathing traditions of South Africa’s guitar greats with the world. It features three of the country’s most respected guitarists: Themba Mokoena, Ntokozo Zungu, and Mbuzeni Mkhize. Mokoena represents the deep-rooted sounds of Mbaqanga and Marabi, Zungu reflects South Africa’s evolving urban music scene through his work with Stimela, and Mkhize carries forward the Maskandi tradition central to Zulu culture.

“These styles weren’t taught in universities, they were passed hand-to-hand, ear-to-ear,”says Pelt. “This is about honouring that lineage while making it accessible to the next generation of musicians globally.”

Joep Pelt has worked closely with these guitarists for many years and has been musically active in South Africa for nearly two decades through various projects, including his acclaimed Soweto Soul collaboration. Growing up with his father’s South African record collection, Pelt developed an early appreciation for the country’s musical heritage. His new platform will offer structured online guitar lessons that combine technical instruction with cultural and historical background, giving musicians worldwide direct access to authentic South African playing styles.

At a time when traditional guitar music is struggling to survive in an increasingly digital age, Pelt’s project aims to build a bridge between generations and continents. Produced in collaboration with Johannesburg-based filmmaker Themba Mahori and Dutch director Bart Verhoeven, the content will be available worldwide through Pelt’s Guitar Globetrotter platform, launching in the spring of 2026.