Umanyano Lwe Jazz Festival 2026: 32 Artists Announced for Fifth Anniversary
South Africa’s independent jazz and alternative music scene will converge in Johannesburg this December as Umanyano Lwe Jazz Festival (ULJ Fest) prepares to celebrate its fifth anniversary with an expansive programme of live performances, DJs and cultural experiences.
Scheduled for 5–6 December 2026 at Casalinga Farm in Muldersdrift, the two-day festival brings together 32 artists from Southern Africa, the international diaspora and beyond.
The latest edition, titled ULJFEST’26 | ROOTED (ƒ), represents five years of building a cultural gathering around music, community and artistic exchange. Its first and second lineup announcements feature internationally recognised artists such as poet and performer aja monet and Detroit DJ and producer Theo Parrish, alongside some of South Africa’s most distinctive contemporary jazz, soul and alternative music voices.
The programme includes Zoë Modiga, Spha Mdlalose, Vuma Levin, Buhlebendalo, Ndabo Zulu & Umgidi Ensemble, Sun Xa Experiment, Sereetsi & The Natives and several other musicians and DJs.
With tickets advertised from R950, Umanyano Lwe Jazz Festival 2026 is shaping up as one of the notable independent music gatherings on Johannesburg’s December calendar.
Umanyano Lwe Jazz Festival 2026: Event Details
| Event information | Details |
|---|---|
| Festival | Umanyano Lwe Jazz Festival |
| Edition | Fifth anniversary |
| Dates | 5–6 December 2026 |
| Venue | Casalinga Farm |
| Location | Muldersdrift, Johannesburg |
| Province | Gauteng, South Africa |
| Theme | ROOTED (ƒ) |
| Artists announced | 32 |
| Advertised starting ticket price | R950 |
| Advertised start time | 10:00 |
| Organiser | Umanyano Lwe Jazz |
| Tickets | FIXR |
Umanyano Lwe Jazz Festival 2026 Lineup: All 32 Announced Artists
The 2026 programme brings together musicians working across contemporary African jazz, alternative music, soul, experimental sounds, folk traditions and international diasporic music.
Rather than concentrating on one particular interpretation of jazz, the lineup reflects the festival’s interest in different musical approaches and creative expressions.
The first and second artist announcements feature 24 live acts and eight DJs.
First Wave: Live Performers
The first wave of announced performers includes:
- aja monet
- Selimo Thabane
- Sereetsi & The Natives
- Tlokwe Sehume
- Thesis ZA
- Spha Mdlalose
- Mpumi Dhlamini
- Vuma Levin
- Buhlebendalo
- Mandifeze
- L’wei Netshivhale
- Sun Quintet
- Bokang Ramatlapeng
- Paras “Sibalukhulu” Dlamini
First Wave: DJs
The first DJ announcement features:
- Theo Parrish
- Lynnée Denise
- Atiyyah (Future Nostalgia)
Second Wave: Live Performers
The second wave expands the programme with another ten live acts:
- Zoë Modiga
- Ndabo Zulu & Umgidi Ensemble
- Omagugu
- Norman Chauke
- Sibusiso Mash Mashiloane
- Carlo Mombelli – Chapter 7
- Sun Xa Experiment
- Jazz Cats SA
- Robin Fassie
- The SN Project
Second Wave: DJs
The second DJ announcement features:
- NQalaStyle
- Nelee
- June Jazzin
- ZVIKO
- Dryad
Together, the first and second waves account for 32 announced artists across live performances and DJ selections.
The festival’s full programme and any additional announcements should be checked through its official channels. Individual performance days and set times should be confirmed once the detailed schedule is released.
International Artists Bring a Global Perspective to ULJ Fest 2026
One of the defining features of this year’s programme is its connection between South African creativity and international musical voices.
Among the international names is aja monet, the acclaimed American poet, writer and performer whose work connects poetry, politics, identity and Black cultural expression.
Her inclusion brings another dimension to a festival that positions music as part of a wider cultural conversation.
Detroit’s Theo Parrish also joins the programme. Known for his distinctive approach to house music, soul, jazz and underground dance culture, Parrish brings a different musical perspective to the festival’s DJ selections.
Lynnée Denise and Atiyyah (Future Nostalgia) further contribute to the first wave of DJ programming.
Their inclusion demonstrates the breadth of the festival’s musical direction, extending beyond conventional jazz programming into the wider world of alternative and diasporic sounds.
South African Jazz and Alternative Music Take Centre Stage
The South African contingent is equally important to the identity of ULJ Fest 2026.
Zoë Modiga is among the standout names in the second announcement. Recognised for her distinctive vocal approach and relationship with contemporary African jazz and soul, her presence adds to a programme that places local musical expression at its centre.
Vuma Levin, Spha Mdlalose, Mpumi Dhlamini and Buhlebendalo are also among the announced performers.
The programme further includes Ndabo Zulu & Umgidi Ensemble, bringing another perspective to the festival’s exploration of African musical traditions.
Sun Xa Experiment, Sereetsi & The Natives, Thesis ZA and Sibusiso Mash Mashiloane contribute to a diverse selection of artists working across different musical disciplines.
Other announced performers include Tlokwe Sehume, Carlo Mombelli – Chapter 7, Omagugu, Norman Chauke, Jazz Cats SA, Sun Quintet and Robin Fassie.
For audiences interested in discovering South African musicians outside the mainstream festival circuit, this lineup offers an opportunity to explore different voices and approaches to contemporary music.
The Meaning Behind the Fifth Anniversary Edition
The theme for Umanyano Lwe Jazz Festival 2026 is.
For its fifth anniversary, the festival is presenting what its ticketing description calls its boldest cultural and curatorial statement to date.
The concept connects the festival’s regional identity with musical and cultural influences from the wider African diaspora.
Its programme brings together artists and audiences through live music, conversation, food, art and community.
The idea of being rooted also speaks to the festival’s development over five years, building a platform around independent cultural production and musical exchange.
Founded in Johannesburg in 2021, Umanyano Lwe Jazz has developed into an independent festival platform with a focus on contemporary African jazz, alternative music, spiritual improvisation, folk traditions and boundary-pushing live performance.
In an August 2026 report on independent music organisers, founder Zukiswa White discussed the importance of developing long-term cultural infrastructure and creating spaces where Black cultural production can grow and reach wider audiences.
The fifth edition therefore represents more than another December festival date. It marks an important milestone in the development of an independent cultural platform.
Where Is Umanyano Lwe Jazz Festival 2026 Taking Place?
Umanyano Lwe Jazz Festival 2026 will take place at Casalinga Farm in Muldersdrift, Johannesburg.
The venue address listed for the event is:
Casalinga Farm
Plot 328 Rocky Ridge Road
Johannesburg, 1739
Gauteng, South Africa.
Muldersdrift is situated northwest of central Johannesburg, making the festival a destination for music fans travelling from different parts of Gauteng and elsewhere in the country.
Attendees travelling to the festival should use the venue’s listed address when planning their journey and check the organiser’s channels for any additional transport, parking and access information.
Umanyano Lwe Jazz Festival 2026 Tickets and Prices
Tickets for Umanyano Lwe Jazz Festival 2026 are advertised from R950 per person.
The festival’s ticketing information is available through FIXR, where the event is listed under UManyano Lwe Jazz at Casalinga Farm.
With the event taking place across 5 and 6 December, prospective attendees should check the ticketing platform for available ticket options, current prices, booking conditions and any additional fees before purchasing.
Book tickets: https://fixr.co/event/umanyano-lwe-jazz-tickets-186880589
Official festival website: https://www.umanyanolwejazzfest.africa/
Ticket prices and availability are subject to change.
What Can Festival-Goers Expect at ULJ Fest 2026?
Umanyano Lwe Jazz is building its fifth anniversary edition around more than a conventional concert programme.
The festival describes its experience as a gathering where world-class music, conversation, food, art and community come together over two carefully curated days.
Its lineup moves between contemporary African jazz, soul, folk traditions, experimental music and international diasporic sounds.
This variety makes the festival relevant to different audiences, from established jazz listeners to people interested in discovering new South African musicians and alternative music.
The ROOTED (ƒ) concept also places cultural exchange and community at the centre of the event’s identity.
While the full daily performance schedule and set times should be confirmed through the organiser, the announced lineup already provides a strong indication of the musical diversity planned for the fifth edition.
Umanyano Lwe Jazz Festival 2026: Frequently Asked Questions
When is Umanyano Lwe Jazz Festival 2026?
Umanyano Lwe Jazz Festival 2026 takes place on 5 and 6 December 2026. The fifth anniversary edition runs across two days at Casalinga Farm in Muldersdrift, Johannesburg.
Where is Umanyano Lwe Jazz Festival held?
The festival takes place at Casalinga Farm, Plot 328 Rocky Ridge Road, Johannesburg, 1739, in Gauteng, South Africa.
Who is performing at Umanyano Lwe Jazz Festival 2026?
The first and second lineup announcements feature 32 artists, including aja monet, Theo Parrish, Zoë Modiga, Sereetsi & The Natives, Buhlebendalo, Vuma Levin, Spha Mdlalose, Ndabo Zulu & Umgidi Ensemble, Sun Xa Experiment and Carlo Mombelli – Chapter 7.
How many artists have been announced for ULJ Fest 2026?
A total of 32 artists have been announced across the first and second lineup waves, comprising live performers and DJs.
How much are Umanyano Lwe Jazz Festival 2026 tickets?
Tickets are advertised from R950 per person. Current prices, ticket categories and availability can be checked through the festival’s FIXR booking page.
What is the theme of Umanyano Lwe Jazz Festival 2026?
The fifth anniversary edition carries the theme ROOTED (ƒ), highlighting the festival’s focus on cultural identity, artistic expression, music and community.
What time does Umanyano Lwe Jazz Festival start?
The event listing advertises a start time from 10:00. Check the official event channels for the latest daily schedule and performance times.
Is Umanyano Lwe Jazz Festival a two-day event?
Yes. The 2026 edition takes place over Saturday, 5 December and Sunday, 6 December 2026.
Where can I buy Umanyano Lwe Jazz Festival tickets?
Tickets are listed through FIXR. Visit https://fixr.co/event/umanyano-lwe-jazz-tickets-186880589 for booking information.
Umanyano Lwe Jazz Festival Marks Five Years of Independent Cultural Expression
Five years after its beginnings in Johannesburg, Umanyano Lwe Jazz continues to develop a platform for musicians and audiences interested in the connections between jazz, African creativity and wider cultural expression.
Its 2026 edition brings together 32 announced artists across two days, with a programme that moves between contemporary jazz, alternative sounds, soul, experimental music and international influences.
With aja monet, Theo Parrish, Zoë Modiga, Vuma Levin, Buhlebendalo, Ndabo Zulu & Umgidi Ensemble and more on the programme, the fifth anniversary gathering offers a wide-ranging snapshot of the music and creative communities shaping the festival.
Umanyano Lwe Jazz Festival 2026 takes place on 5–6 December at Casalinga Farm in Muldersdrift, Johannesburg.
For further announcements, lineup information and tickets, visit the official Umanyano Lwe Jazz Festival website or its FIXR ticketing page.
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