Bongani Givethanks

Bongani Givethanks (born Bongani Glen Sibanyoni) is a South African pianist, composer, and producer whose work bridges Afro-jazz, nu-jazz, and contemporary electronic music. Raised in Mabopane, Pretoria, he has emerged as a dynamic force in the country’s evolving jazz and alternative music scene, known for fusing improvisation, traditional rhythms and modern production techniques into a sound that is both rooted and forward-looking.

A self-taught musician who began his professional journey in late 2018, Bongani has cultivated a versatile practice that spans bandleading, sound design, composition and live performance. His growing catalogue — including Indoda, Tsela, See The Sun (Nujazz Shandis), Feel Good Friday, and recent collaborations such as the El Hombre remix project with Gab Juz — reflects a genre-defying approach influenced by South African jazz, house, broken beat and downtempo textures.

His collaborative history includes work with artists and collectives such as Fakazile Nkosi, Flex of He & I, Madkind and Izangoma, as well as international partnerships with Germany’s Jazz & Milk and Brazil’s Caixa Cubo. In 2023, he joined the globally renowned US OneBeat music residency, further solidifying his place within a network of innovative contemporary musicians. Bongani has performed at key platforms including The Music Imbizo, Arts Alive, Smoking Dragon Festival, Pendoring Awards, Nirox Sculpture Park, UKZN Jazz Center, Black Labone and multiple township-based creative hubs.

Beyond the stage, he founded Mvumo Productions, an independent music and cultural enterprise dedicated to developing township-based creative ecosystems. Through initiatives like THEJAZZINJECTION and the uMvumo Wethu Concerts, he champions accessible live music, community engagement, and the preservation of African contemporary expression. His work extends into project management, event coordination, and cultural entrepreneurship, blending creativity with strategic development.

With his recently concluded 2025 Sounds From The Catalogue Tour, Bongani continues to expand his artistic footprint, presenting a vibrant catalogue that captures the spirit of modern South African innovation while honouring the sonic lineage that shaped him.