Open call: Sankofa Heritage Festival opening performance

The festival, founded by South African musician and cultural activist Thandiswa Mazwai, focuses on the preservation and celebration of indigenous African music and cultural heritage. The first edition will be co-headlined by Mazwai, Grammy-nominated artist Somi (Rwanda/Uganda) and South African musician Msaki.

The open call targets upcoming traditional music practitioners based in South Africa. Successful applicants will be offered the opportunity to perform a 20-minute set on the festival programme.

According to the organisers, applicants must be South Africa–based, perform predominantly original material and not be signed to a major record label. Cover bands are not eligible. Musicians are required to submit an application form and upload a performance video, which must also be shared on social media with the relevant festival and artist tags.

The selected act will receive a flat performance fee, from which artist fees and transport costs must be covered.

The Sankofa Heritage Festival is supported by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture through its Mzansi Golden Economy initiative.

Interested participants should be apply here before on 31 January 2026, with the winning act to be announced on 10 February 2026.