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Mandisi Dyantyis
Mandisi Dyantyis is a force of soul, spirit, and storytelling whose music sits at the crossroads of jazz, gospel, and African tradition. A vocalist, trumpeter, and composer of emotional depth, Mandisi has built a devoted following for his ability to turn vulnerability into power on stage. His acclaimed albums Somandla and Cwaka weave prayer, protest, and poetry into soundscapes that speak to the heart of South Africa’s lived experience. With every performance, Mandisi invites audiences into something sacred – a conversation in melody, rhythm, and truth.
Catch Mandisi Dyantyis at Sunset Jazz Melodies, 6 December 2025 at Bon Accorde Resort at Albert Falls Dam.
Ernie Smith
Ernie Smith is a guitar-wielding storyteller whose Afro-jazz-R&B tapestry feels like sunset gold in melody. His debut album, Child of the Light (2001), earned him SAMAs for Best Newcomer and Best Adult Contemporary, as well as the KORA Award for Most Promising Male in Africa. The follow-up, Lovely Things, won SAMA Best Jazz Adult Contemporary (2002) and a Metro FM Best Jazz Artist Award (2003). Ernie’s music, an alchemy of jazzm softened African pop is both heartfelt and healing.
Catch Ernie Smith at Sunset Jazz Melodies, 6 December 2025 at Bon Accorde Resort at Albert Falls Dam.
Madala Kunene
Madala Kunene, affectionately known as “Bafo,” the Zulu-string poet, composes in a hymn of ancestral resonance. His 1990 debut album Madala Kunene, produced by Sipho Gumede, introduced the world to his unique “Madala-line”: a fusion of Zulu folk and township blues flowing like a timeless river. Honoured with the Gold Order of Ikhamanga and an honorary Doctor of Music for his monumental cultural contributions, he remains a torchbearer of indigenous guitar storytelling.
Catch Madala Kunene at Sunset Jazz Melodies, 6 December 2025 at Bon Accorde Resort at Albert Falls Dam.
Zawadi YaMungu
Zawadi Yamungu (Nkosingiphile Mpanza, meaning “gift from God”) weaves ancestral echoes through Afro-jazz-soul-electronica, her voice a bridge between past and future. In 2020, her debut album Magogo School of Thought, a tribute to Princess Magogo, debuted as a shimmering thread in South African indigenous soundscape. Recently, she received the Musician of the Year Award at Ghana’s Ladies in Media Awards, her soaring vocals and mastery of uMakhweyana and other traditional instruments amplifying her cultural reverence.
Catch Zawadi at Sunset Jazz Melodies, 6 December 2025 at Bon Accorde Resort at Albert Falls Dam.
Russell Zuma
From South Africa’s vibrant soul-house scene, Russell Zuma brings spinning grooves that ripple like moonlit water. His debut single “Angikaze” flickered through hearts, marking his entry with soulful warmth. His rhythmic style of deep-veined in Afro-infused house is infectious with that feel lived-in and luminous.
Catch Russell Zuma at Sunset Jazz Melodies, 6 December 2025 at Bon Accorde Resort at Albert Falls Dam.
Thammy Mdluli
Thammy Mdluli is a South African jazz virtuoso whose bass guitar mastery and soulful compositions have earned him a revered spot in the global music scene. With a career spanning over four decades. His discography is a testament to his evolution as an artist, with notable albums like: African Jazz (2024); Ticzo Jazz (2021) and Melodies from Heaven (2017). In 2024, he released African Jazz, further solidifying his position as a pioneer in the genre. Beyond his performances, Thammy is a prolific producer and the founder of Tammy Music Publishing and Studio 12, nurturing new talent and shaping the future of South African music.
Catch Thammy Mdluli at Sunset Jazz Melodies, 6 December 2025 at Bon Accorde Resort at Albert Falls Dam.
Zinhle Madela
Zinhle Madela is a seasoned force in South Africa’s music and cultural landscape, celebrated for her dynamic fusion of traditional Zulu sounds and contemporary Afro-pop. She has captivated audiences with her soulful voice and compelling storytelling. Her debut EP, Iduku (2020), features standout tracks like “Udlalile Ngami,” “Ekhaya,” and “Izinkomo,” which have resonated deeply with listeners.
Catch Zinhle Madela at Sunset Jazz Melodies, 6 December 2025 at Bon Accorde Resort at Albert Falls Dam.
Zoe The Seed
Zoe “The Seed” Masuku plants jazz-soul-hip-hop hybrids that sprout rich emotions in every line. A Swazi-born vocalist and songwriter trained in jazz and popular music, her solo path sprouted from Heels Over Head, a female jazz quintet that snagged a MTN SAMA nomination, and her early work on the independently crafted COULD IT BE album. Her experimental voice flows between soul, jazz classics, reggae, rock and gospel, nurturing lyrical themes of love, resilience, and resistance.
Catch Zoe The Seed at Sunset Jazz Melodies, 6 December 2025 at Bon Accorde Resort at Albert Falls Dam.
Linda Gcwensa
Linda Gcwensa is best known as the hitmaker behind “Ngamthand’ Umuntu” and a string of chart-topping singles that have etched his name into South Africa’s soul and R&B landscape. Beyond his own recordings, Linda’s artistry extends to songwriting, vocal production, and arrangement — roles that have made him one of the most trusted creatives in the music industry. His sound fuses smooth R&B grooves with the tenderness of love ballads, giving listeners music that feels both intimate and timeless.
Catch Linda Gwensa at Sunset Jazz Melodies, 6 December 2025 at Bon Accorde Resort at Albert Falls Dam.
Nomalanga Hlubi
Nomalanga Hlubi is a KwaZulu-Natal songstress whose velvety blend of jazz and soulful pop captures the heart with every note. Her debut album, KwaMachibisa, introduced her as a voice of sincerity and depth, while follow-up releases like Musuk’thathubeka and singles such as Kufanele Wazi affirmed her gift for heartfelt storytelling.
Nomalanga’s music, smooth, contemplative, and deeply rooted in emotion, bridges the timelessness of jazz with the pulse of modern soul.
Catch Nomalanga Hlubi live at Sunset Jazz Melodies, 6 December 2025 at Bon Accorde Resort, Albert Falls Dam.