The Afrodiaspora Connection 2026: The Full Programme for this Cultural and Music Exchange Project

Now in its third year, The Afrodiaspora Connection stands as a growing and influential model for international music collaboration, one that prioritises sustainability, reciprocity, and long‑term cultural exchange over short‑term visibility.

Curated by The Dig Global, a Johannesburg‑based alternative music development agency, in partnership with Jazz re:freshed, a UK‑based jazz and alternative music organisation, and supported by the Goethe‑Institut, the project actively connects artists and creative communities across South Africa, the United Kingdom, Germany, and other European territories.

The project returns to South Africa with a programme starting 22 May and ending on 3 June this 2026. Here’s everything you need to know.

The Afrodiaspora Connection couple in the crowd | What's on in Joburg

Goethe-Institut: Sustained Artistic Exchange 

Since its inception, The Afrodiaspora Connection has been meaningfully supported by the Goethe-Institut, whose commitment to long-term cultural exchange is reflected not only in the programme’s structure but also in its evolving artist network across editions. 

In 2024, the Goethe-Institut supported the participation of Seba Kaapstad, a transnational neo-soul collective whose very formation embodies the ethos of the project. Comprising artists from South Africa, Eswatini, and Germany, the group brings together soul, jazz, electronic elements, and African rhythmic traditions into a genre-defying sound that centres themes of unity, identity, and shared human experience. Their work reflects a deep commitment to cross-cultural collaboration, making them a natural extension of the Afrodiaspora Connection’s vision of globally connected, rooted exchange. 

In 2025, this relationship deepened with the inclusion of Jembaa Groove, a Berlin-based Afro-jazz collective that bridges Ghanaian highlife traditions with contemporary jazz, soul, and Afrofusion. Co-Founded by German producer Yannick Nolting and Ghanaian percussionist Eric Owusu, the ensemble brings together musicians from across continents, creating a vibrant, polyrhythmic sound grounded in both heritage and innovation. Their work speaks directly to diasporic circulation – linking scenes in Berlin, Accra, Lagos, and beyond – while foregrounding collaboration as both process and philosophy. 

Now in its third year, The Afrodiaspora Connection has established itself as a proven model for impactful and sustainable international music collaboration. The Jazz re:freshed Outernational programme continues to benefit from the Goethe-Institut’s strong commitment to fostering artistic exchange and long-term collaboration between Africa and Europe, enabling meaningful partnerships, artist mobility, and a growing network that centres Afrodiasporic voices and cross-cultural dialogue. 

Behind the Afrodiaspora Connection

Traditional international music collaborations often follow a one‑directional model in which artists travel, perform, and depart with limited long‑term impact within local ecosystems.

The Afrodiaspora Connection was conceived to challenge this approach, proposing instead a multi‑year, relationship‑driven exchange that embeds artists, audiences, and industry practitioners in meaningful collaboration.

At its core, the project is designed to establish a sustainable cross‑cultural music ecosystem that amplifies jazz and alternative music voices, fosters authentic partnerships, and actively supports artist development, touring circuits, education initiatives, and the sharing of industry knowledge.

The Afrodiaspora Connection Kokoroko | What's on in Joburg — Kokoroko

The musical showcase

The 2026 edition of The Afrodiaspora Connection represents the strongest articulation of the project’s vision to date. Spanning Cape Town, Eswatini, and Johannesburg, the multi‑city programme deepens both its artistic ambition and its political and historical grounding.

The Johannesburg / Soweto showcase is intentionally aligned with the 50th anniversary of the Soweto Uprising, situating contemporary diasporic music practice within a broader legacy of resistance, cultural production, and spatial reclamation. This alignment reinforces the project’s commitment to history, place, and the politics of cultural exchange.

Headlining the 2026 programme are international artists:

Kokoroko (United Kingdom) – the ensemble’s music reflects London’s black diasporic musical melting point, shaped by jazz, Afrobeat, soul, and alternative traditions.
Summer Pearl (United Kingdom) – known for her carefree live performances and direct, emotionally resonant lyricism, Summer transports audiences into spaces of soul and truth.
Zola Marcelle (United Kingdom) – Zimbabwean‑born and London‑based, Zola has been quietly but powerfully carving her place within the UK’s contemporary jazz landscape as a Bantu artist whose work bridges heritage and futurity.
Wayne Snow (Germany) – Wayne brings a transnational sensibility informed by movement between Europe and Africa.

These artists perform alongside South African musicians including Esinam x Sibusile Xaba, a Kids Love Jazz ensemble led by Ofentse Sebula and Internet Athi.

The Afrodiaspora Connection people in crowd (left) and performer on guitar (right) | What's on in Joburg

Beyond the Stage: Afrodiaspora Community Engagement Programme

A central pillar of the 2026 edition is the Afrodiaspora Community Engagement Programme, titled “Beyond the Stage”, and supported by the Goethe‑Institut Johannesburg.

“Beyond the Stage” refers to a series of curated activities that form part of the wider Afrodiaspora Connection project but are not primarily performance‑based. Instead, the programme is designed to create meaningful opportunities for deeper engagement between visiting international artists, South African creatives, and local audiences.

This platform enables international artists to build authentic relationships with local communities while fostering collaboration with South African artists across various disciplines.

Activities may take multiple forms, including:

Joint performances and community jams
Studio sessions and writing camps
Workshops and panel discussions
Curated dinners and informal exchange spaces

Importantly, “Beyond the Stage” positions artists as multidimensional creatives. Many of the participating artists are not only performers, but also educators, DJs, visual artists, researchers, and published authors. The programme creates space to activate and foreground these diverse practices.

There is a strong emphasis on education, skills‑sharing, and knowledge exchange, alongside support for cultural establishments that may not traditionally function as live music venues. These include bookstores, galleries, restaurants, and other adjacent institutions that form part of the broader Afrodiaspora creative ecosystem.

Through “Beyond the Stage,” the project aims to extend audience engagement beyond performance, cultivating intimate, community‑driven encounters that leave a lasting imprint well after the final note has been played.

The Afrodiaspora Connection continues to expand its global relevance through sustained partnerships, including ongoing collaboration with MTN Bushfire Festival in Eswatini and the addition of Sakifo Festival, reinforcing transcontinental exchange across Africa and Europe.

The Afrodiaspora Connection two women sitting down and chatting, one with a glass of wine in hand | What's on in Joburg

Important dates on the Afrodiaspora Connection Joburg programme

The jam-packed Afrodiaspora Connection programme features events taking place in eSwatini, Cape Town and Johannesburg. These are important dates to take note of for events taking place in Johannesburg:

Tuesday, 26 May - Beyond the Stage: Tuesday Funk – Community Jam at Untitled Basement (featuring Sphelelo Mazibuko, Portia Sibiya, Bokani Dyer, Sisonke Xonti, Nu Bam and more
Thursday, 28 May – Beyond the Stage: Zola Marcelle – Bass Trio Session at Untitled Basement
Sunday, 31 May – The Afrodiaspora Connection 2026 – Johannesburg Showcase at Soweto Equestrian Centre
Monday, 1 June - Beyond the Stage: Community Cycle – Exploring Johannesburg with Biking Bandits & Kokoroko 
Monday, 1 June – This Music Matters: Kokoroko Couch and Album Listening Session – at Untitled Basement

How to book

Cost: From R500pp for The Afrodiaspora Connection showcase event on Sunday. Book via Quicket | Tickets for Beyond the Stage with Zola Marcelle are from R250pp; tickets for the community cycle are from R250pp; tickets for the Tuesday Funk Community Jam and the Kokoroko listening session are free. All events are available to book via The Dig_ZA’s Quicket and Untitled Basement’s Quicket