South African duo Jazzworx and Thukuthela are set to make their debut at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival this year.
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“We have looked up to this ever since we were kids,” said Jazzwrld of their upcoming performance. “This is a milestone for us, the biggest platform ever, we are more than excited.”
In just a few weeks, the 23rd annual Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF) will take place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), bringing together local and international artists for two days of live music.
Scheduled for March 27 and 28, the festival remains one of the most significant events on the continent’s music calendar.
Among the artists joining this year’s line-up is South African duo Jazzwrld and Thukuthela.
Known for tracks such as “uMoya” and “Tholukuthi Clap Song”, the pair have built a growing audience with a sound that blends electronic production with live instrumentation. They are set to perform on the Manenberg Stage on Saturday, March 28.
Speaking to “Independent Media Lifestyle", the duo reflected on what the festival means to them.
“We have looked up to this ever since we were kids. I remember knowing about the festival through my dad, who used to talk about it with pride. Also seeing the late icon Tata Hugh Masikela and many more that touched the stage, we were drawn to culture,” said Jazzwrld.
For them, sharing a stage with artists such as Masekela represents both honour and responsibility.
“This is a milestone for us, the biggest platform ever, and we are more than excited. We plan on going retro there with our live band sessions,” added Thukuthela.
The journey to this point has been shaped by faith and persistence. “Look, at this point it’s God speaking through us that connects our sound to every living being, it’s a miracle. The journey has been nothing but a ton of lessons,” they said.
Jazzwrld, born Kamohelo Monese, is originally from Maseru in Lesotho.
He began his career as a producer under the name Jazzworx before rebranding in late 2025 to signal broader ambitions for South African electronic music on the global stage.
Thukuthela, born Kgotso Dube, is a vocalist and producer from Daveyton, known for his distinct vocal delivery and stage presence.
Their rise has been marked by chart success and streaming milestones. The duo ended 2025 as the number one artists across local music charts.
They are credited with pioneering what fans describe as a 3-Step sound, a style that blends afro-house, afro-jazz, afro-tech and amapiano rhythms. Their tracks often feature a three-kick rhythm pattern, layered synths and acoustic guitar elements. Lyrically, they explore relationships and spirituality.
South Africa’s musical heritage has played a central role in shaping its work.
“South Africa has been super impactful in everything. Our style and rhythm, mainly with the first three songs that we dropped, were influenced by mbaqanga and disco sounds. It reminds me of the Mahotella Queens and a bit of Mfaz’Omnyama,” Jazzwrld explained.
Their debut album, “The Most Wanted", released last year, became the first by a South African artist to reach 90 million streams on South African Spotify. By early 2026, the album had surpassed 100 million streams globally on the platform.
Several singles from the project have achieved multi-platinum status.
Despite the numbers, the duo says their focus remains on connection.
“When we get in sync with crowds, making or having that intimate vibe, understanding each other like we did these songs together, it is so amazing. That is the exciting part about it,” they said.
As anticipation builds for the festival, audiences can expect a set that reflects both their roots and their evolution.
More information about the event is available on the festival’s official website (www.capetownjazzfest.com), and tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster.