MZANTSI JAZZ AWARDS
Recognizing Jazz!
Jazz
MJA
01/03 Live in Soweto
01/03 Season 9 Starts
30/04 International Jazz Day
01/05 Mzantsi Jazz awards in Abu
Dhabi
27/06 Announcement of Finalists
30/08 MJA 9
14/12 Mzantsi Honors
About MJAs
We recognize the role of Jazz music as a genre that deserves a special attention in the evolving South African Music industry.
The purpose is to celebrate, appreciate and venerate jazz as a musical form that not only entertain but also uplift and heal the artist and the listener alike.
Countdown to the 10th MJA's
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The 10th Season of the Mzantsi Jazz Awards is ON!
The Nominations are now open!
Season 10 of the Mzantsi Jazz Awards marks a bold new era — a decade of championing South African jazz, now elevated onto the grand stage of the South African State Theatre in Pretoria. This milestone season brings a powerful blend of legacy and innovation, honouring past winners, unveiling a new Africa‑wide jazz category, and rolling out a vibrant calendar of events leading to the main ceremony on 15 August 2026. It’s a landmark celebration of the artists, communities, and stories that continue to shape the sound of Mzantsi.
Check the clip below for the details!
What are the Mzantsi Jazz Awards (MJAs)?
We love music and we love Mzantsi. We recognize the role of Jazz music as a genre that deserves a special attention in the evolving South African Music industry.
The purpose is to celebrate, appreciate and venerate jazz as a musical form that not only entertain but also uplift and heal the artist and the listener alike.
How does it work though?
Every year musicians, music recording companies. radio stations and clubs as well as jazz venues will nominate themselves to be considered for the MJA.
All the nominations must be submitted by clicking this link.
For any queries, challenges or partnership conversations you can Contact Us
What’s the Criteria?
We understand that musical experience can be rather subjective, we however have outlined foundation criteria that we will continue to refine
- Creativity
- Technical competence
- Contribution to the industry with something new
- Popularity within segment/fan base
- Longevity
Lifetime Achievement Awards
Every year MJA Honors legends in Jazz – We honour them while they are still alive.
This year we honored Bra Themba Mkhize for his extensive contribution to music and the overall creative and cultural sector.
The following have been the Lifetime Achievement Recipient in the last 5 Years, in no particular order:
- Abigail Kubeka
- Themba Mokoena
- Dorothy Masuka
- Gilbert Matthews
- Louis Moholo
- Khaya Mahlangu
- Pops Mahomed
- Mabe Thobejane
- Makhaya Ntshoko
- Jonas Gwangwa
- Letta Mbulu
MJA Developing Jazz Musicians
MJAC is passionate about developing musicians- from showcasing new jazz musicians during our awards ceremonies to offline workshops.
We invite partnerships with both local and international organizations towards advancing jazz excellence in South Africa and the world!
click here to here in touch!
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