2024 video still: Sjava & The Qwellers - Typhoon ft. Sastii, LaCabra, Lowfeye & Blue Papi (Official Music Video) — Sjava / YouTube
Sjava — Jabulani Hadebe, born in 1983 in Bergville, KwaZulu-Natal — was writing songs for his school isicathamiya group at ten and acting in television dramas by 2005, years before the music paid. His self-styled African Trap Music sets Zulu melody and idiom over trap and soul production, sung almost entirely in isiZulu in a low, deliberate register.
The 2016 debut Isina Muva — its title a Zulu idiom for a late bloomer — went gold and preceded a 2018 BET Award for Best New International Act; Umqhele took Album of the Year at the 2019 SAMAs. After leaving Ambitiouz Entertainment he founded 1020 Cartel in 2020, released the platinum, chart-topping Isibuko (2023) and Ukhamba with Big Zulu as Inkabi Zezwe, won Best Afro Pop Album at SAMA31 in December 2025, and issued INkanyezi NeZinkanyezi in January 2026.
Thatohatsi’s rise is not built on one isolated hit. Her breakthrough is the result of recurring collaborations that have made her voice increasingly recognisable across amapiano’s most successful chart networks.
“Ibandla” was already a Top 3 Apple Music hit. Then Nasty C’s reinterpretation crossed one million YouTube views. When the official remix followed, it felt less like a manufactured extension than a version listeners had already asked to hear.
Scatterlings: Johnny Clegg Reimagined brings contemporary South African artists into conversation with Johnny Clegg’s catalogue, showing that legacy can remain open, moving and alive.
The Trap Temptations is not just a nostalgia play. Ruff, Emtee, Sjava and Saudi return with a 10-track project that sounds like brotherhood, survival and South African hip-hop history learning how to breathe again.
Thatohatsi’s “Ama Hem Hem” with Sjava and ShaunMusiQ turns a seven-minute single into a cinematic statement about patience, mood and visual music identity.
Tribute to Women 2026 brings Msaki, Sjava, Mafikizolo, Nomfundo Moh and Busiswa to Marks Park for a Women’s Month concert shaped by music, memory and the 70th anniversary of the 1956 Women’s March.
One day after Cleo Sol released Gentlewoman, three of its songs were already inside Apple Music South Africa’s Top 10. The speed of that response says something interesting about this country’s appetite for music that does not need to shout to command attention.
SAMA32’s shortlist shows a South African music industry no longer defined by one centre. From Durban Gqom to Maskandi, Amapiano, Jazz, Gospel and regional scenes, the country’s sound is spreading power across many hubs.
From Boomtown’s live performances to premium dining and nightlife experiences, Johnnie Walker used Durban July weekend to celebrate South African culture, connection and style.
Computicket lists Daliwonga among the performers for the Denim and White themed Exclusive White Spring Picnic at Willowmoore Cricket Stadium in Benoni. Tickets range from R195 to R750.
Sjava headlines the Sunset Music Series at the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden, with gates at 13:00 and the concert ending at 17:00. Picnic blankets and own food are allowed; the show goes ahead rain or shine with no refunds.
Sjava performs with a full band for the Heritage Day edition of the Old Mutual Music at the Lake series at the lake inside the Durban Botanic Gardens, 13:00 to 17:00. Proceeds go to the Garden Window Project.
Scotts Maphuma is a confirmed name on the Ngwathe Spring Experience line-up at Fezile Dabi Stadium in Tumahole, Parys. Gates 10:00; the festival runs over 26-27 September.
Sjava marks a decade since his debut with a 10 Year Celebration Tour stop at the Big Top Arena, running through hits including Amafu, uMama, Confession, Umcebo and Balele. Webtickets lists the show as sold out online.
