2026 video still: Shimza live from Tignes Unlimited 2026 — SHIMZA / YouTube
Shimza, born Kholofelo Ashley Raphala in Tembisa, is one of the producers credited with shaping Afro-tech, folding tribal and Afro-house elements into tech-house's four-on-the-floor drive. He began DJing as a teenager and released his debut album Shimuzic in 2015. His civic streak runs as deep as his catalogue: since 2009 he has staged the One Man Show, a Christmas Day festival in his hometown whose proceeds buy school uniforms for orphaned children.
'Uwrongo', his 2020 single with Black Motion, Prince Kaybee and Ami Faku, entered the Radiomonitor chart at No. 1 and went gold. In 2020 he launched Kunye, a live-stream series and label showcasing African electronic music. He fronts the Shimza & Co residency at Chinois Ibiza; his Elderbrook collaboration 'Places' has passed 20 million streams, and 'Fire Fire' took Song of the Year at the 2026 Miami Electronic Dance Music Awards.
Shimza’s Sunset in Pretoria arrives after his Pacha Ibiza run with a clear message: Afro House can travel through the world’s biggest club spaces without losing the emotional geography of home.
Shimza’s Kunye platform shows how South African Afro-house can travel globally without losing its route back home.
Shimza makes his first appearance at Poney Club for the closing of the venue's 2026 season, on a bill with Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano. Lilya Mandre opens the evening, with a Cabza b2b John Spano warm-up.
Shimza plays Francis Mercier's Solèy label showcase at Reframe Studios Outdoors in Los Angeles. Doors 8pm, running to 1am; the event is 21+.
Kabza De Small leads the line-up for the third edition of the food, fashion and music festival, themed 'Evophoria', running 26–27 September. He is billed for the Sunday as one half of the Scorpion Kings with DJ Maphorisa, on a day skewed toward house and amapiano. Gates 12:00 to 23:00, 18+.
Shimza is the first artist listed on Zamna's Día de Muertos weekend return to Mexico City at the Velódromo Olímpico. Gates 5pm; the full line-up had not yet been published at the time of checking.
