The third annual Zakifo Music Festival, Durban features one of the most multi-genre global music line-ups ever gathered together in one festival programme boasting 22 of the finest international music-makers from UK, Jamaica, USA, Belgium, France, Ghana, Niger, Congo, Tanzania, Lesotho and South Africa, which comes to Durban's, Blue Lagoon Beach from 26 – 28 May.
This festival will take place on Durban's promenade, with two stages, a cultural area, food carts and stalls, craft beer bars, local traders and interactive installation art exhibits.
The sea breeze and crashing waves will provide the backdrop this year for the astonishing musical line up which includes.
Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley (USA/ JAM) famous reggae artist and youngest son of reggae musician Bob Marley. had a worldwide hit with the song "Welcome to Jamrock"
Birdy Nam Nam (Fr) Dj Band, electronic music made using turntables as instruments.
Ray Phiri (ZA) South African icon of jazz, fusion and mbaqanga musician
Thandiswa Mazwai (ZA) socially-conscious musician who incorporates mbaganga, reggae, traditional Xhosa rhythms, kwaito, jazz and funk, Formerly of Bongo Maffin
Petite Noir (ZA) singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer
Baloji (Belguim) Rapper, MC and hip hop artist of Congolese origin, Formerly of the group Starflam
Bombino (NE) Internationally acclaimed Tuareg guitarist and singer-songwriter from Agadez, Niger
Nova Twins (UK) Urban Punk, gritty, angry and heavy.
Tiggs Da Author(UK) Hip hop, soul, grime and jazz
Gangs of Ballet (ZA) An eclectic mix of alternative, melodic, anthemic, electronic and dance.
The Soil (ZA) South African acapella 3-member group, kasi soul
Sax Machine(USA/FR) Hard-Bop, Afro-Beat, Deep Funk and Hip-Hop Psyche
Kommanda Obbs (Lesotho) artist, activist, lyricist, musician. Pioneer of Hip Hop subgenre called TS’EPE
Jojo Abot (Ghana) Sultry electro soul singer. Electronica, Afrobeat, Jazz, House and reggae.
Lu Dlamini (ZA) Renowned songstress, with a rich musical heritage.
Bongeziwe Mabandla (ZA) SAMA winning Afro-folk musician. Rising star.
Easy Freak (ZA) Beat infused electronic duo incorporating indie, electro, funk & rock
Jobie Clarke (ZA) Classical, jazz, ethno-soul, and a touch of isicathamiya
Many more coming.
Zakifo, which was was started by Jerome Galabert, Sipho Sithole and Andy Davis, is a member of Igoda which is a music festival circuit that includes Sakifo Festival, Azgo festival, Bassline Africa Day concert, and Bushfire festival. These festivals happen over a period of three weeks and have created an artist and festival goer touring circuit in the Southern African region.
“Sakifo means what is needed in Creole,” says Galabert. “With Zakifo Durban our intention is the same. We want to answer the call of the city’s creative voices; strengthening ties between the cultural communities of the Indian Ocean, from India to Australia to China and of course Reunion, Madagascar and Mauritius. Through our world-class line-up we strive to inspire and create lasting opportunities for collaboration; cross cultural exchanges; economic opportunities and skills development.”
"This partnership with Reunion Islands has been a dream of mine. I have attended a number of music festivals internationally and there was no better choice and fit than Zakifo to bring to South Africa, particularly my home town and province. Zakifo is a destination festival, a people to people encounter and we guarantee you that over the years this festival will become part of travelers' annual calendar coming from all over the world,” said Sipho Sithole, one of the festival partners and founder / owner of Native Rhythms.
Zakifo would like to thank their partners The Department of Arts and Culture, East Coast Radio, Air Austral, eThekwini Municipality and Durban Tourism for their continued support of the festival.
Tickets are available at computicket:
R550 full weekend - current till 24 April.
R700 full weekend - 25 April - 25 May.
Day passes are on sale and tickets will be on sale at the door.
