The National Arts Festival (NAF) has recently announced its music programme for 2026, which includes awaited new compositions from the Standard Bank Young Artists, alongside gospel stars, Afro-pop musicians, the celebration of the Soweto String Quartet’s 30th anniversary, and performances by pan-African collectives.
The programme will take place throughout the festival, featuring two major weekends filled with curated highlights for festival enthusiasts, in addition to Fringe concerts that encompass a variety of genres, including choral, gospel, cabaret, classical, and traditional spiritual music – along with the return of the well-received independent programme, The Black Power Station.
Notable performances will include Gabi Motuba, the 2026 Standard Bank Young Artist for Jazz, and Manana, another 2026 Standard Bank Young Artist for Music.
Nomfundo Moh and Nontokozo Mkhize will also perform in Makhanda, bringing a sense of nostalgia alongside the Soweto String Quartet and jazz icon Concord Nkabinde, complemented by a compelling Pan-African influence from Msaki. The gospel and choir segments will be robust, featuring The Bala Family with the Masicule Youth Choir and concerts by Betusile Mcinga.
Big announcement for jazz enthusiasts
The NAF announced that the jazz programming at the festival is undergoing a recalibration for 2027 and the years that follow. This year, the National Youth Jazz Festival, which is independently organised by Eastern Cape Jazz Promotions, will not take place. Consequently, there will be no jazz events at Diocesan School for Girls (DSG) in 2026.
Alan Webster, the director of the National Youth Jazz Festival, informed the NAF Media team that they are suspending the National Youth Jazz Festival for this year as they work on restructuring and solidifying the nation’s leading jazz development programme, which has played a significant role in the advancement of jazz in this country.
“We will be back in 2027,” Webster concluded.
However, jazz continues to be an integral part of the NAF programme, featuring performances by Gabi Motuba, the Standard Bank Young Artist for Jazz, a concert by Concorde Nkabinde, and the festival’s inaugural appearance of Kids Love Jazz – a movement dedicated to introducing young individuals to jazz and providing young jazz artists with performance opportunities. Additionally, jazz is also present on the Fringe.
The Fringe encompasses a wide array of genres, styles, and languages. A new location at the Great Hall will host a significant portion of the Fringe music and will also include late-night DJ performances.
The independent programme at The Black Power Station remains an attraction for younger audiences who are drawn there for the selection of exceptional music from both urban and rural South Africa, in addition to community engagement and dialogue.
The curator and director of The Black Power Station, Xolile ‘X’ Madinda, expressed great enthusiasm to showcase what they have prepared for the audiences at this year’s eagerly awaited NAF.
“As we do every year, The Black Power Station honours a Black female musician at the festival. This year we remember Mam’ uMadosini,” he said.
“Among the artists who will interpret her works are Internet Athi and Phila Dlozi, Buhlebendalo and KHNYSA + The Light present ISINGQI SeNyikima,” he concluded.
For the full music programme, dates, times, etc., visit the National Arts Festival website.
NOTE: Tickets for the full National Arts Festival programme go on sale on 20 May 2026 at www.nationalartsfestival.co.za.
