Joy of Jazz closes on a high as Joburg celebrates music, culture and tourism

Johannesburg brought the curtain down on the 27th edition of the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz at the Sandton Convention Centre on Saturday, with audiences treated to a weekend that showcased the city as a meeting place for world-class music, African heritage and cultural tourism. The two-day festival, held on 25 and 26 September 2026, brought together over 50 musicians from South Africa and around the world across the Dinaledi, Diphala, Conga and Mbira stages.

Among the international highlights was Grammy-winning Beninese singer Angélique Kidjo, whose powerful stage presence and fusion of African rhythms, jazz and global sounds added an international dimension to the festival.

Thandiswa delivers a powerful Mbira Stage finale

One of the most anticipated moments of the festival came with Thandiswa Mazwai's tribute to the late Hugh Masekela on the Mbira Stage.

Before launching into her set, she addressed the recent killings of women in Ekurhuleni, using her music to reflect on violence against women and the need for safer communities.

She opened with “Nizilibele Uba Nizalwa Ngobani", a song whose title asks whether people have forgotten where they come from and who came before them. The choice carried particular weight against the backdrop of the recent deaths of women in Ekurhuleni.

Her performance then moved into a moving celebration of Masekela's musical legacy, with the audience responding enthusiastically to the tribute. Her set demonstrated the ability of jazz and African music to carry memory, social commentary and cultural identity while still bringing people together in celebration.

Festival that puts Johannesburg on the map

Beyond the music, Joy of Jazz continues to play an important role in positioning Johannesburg as a destination for leisure, culture and business.

For Belu Mabandla, Executive Head: Destination Marketing & Events at the Johannesburg Tourism Company, lifestyle events such as Joy of Jazz are an important part of the city's tourism strategy.

“We are responsible for connecting the Joburg brand to the hearts and minds of travelers and to promote Joburg as a top destination for tourism and lifestyle. We want Joburg to be seen as a place to visit, work and play," Mabandla said.

She identified Joy of Jazz among the lifestyle events that Johannesburg Tourism works with, explaining that “collaborating with lifestyle events is our way to stimulate domestic tourism".

She added that the festival's tourism value extends beyond the Sandton Convention Centre. Visitors attending major cultural events spend money on accommodation, restaurants, transport, retail, entertainment and other services, creating opportunities across the city's tourism and creative-economy value chain.

As the final notes faded at Sandton Convention Centre, Joy of Jazz once again demonstrated that major cultural events can do more than entertain. They can bring visitors into Johannesburg, create platforms for artists and entrepreneurs, support businesses and reinforce the city's identity as a vibrant African cultural and tourism destination.

Written by Luyanda Lunika
28/09/2026

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