Sibusiso Mash Mashiloane – South Africa

After exploring his craft for many years, seeking to capture its essence and the sounds of “home,” he is currently focusing on his PhD at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, where he also lectures in music theory.

Since 2016, Mashiloane has released an album a year, winning 7 awards and being nominated for 8 more, including the SAMAs, Urban Music, Mzantsi Jazz Awards, Humanities and Social Sciences Award, and AFRIMA Awards. His extraordinary list of collaborations with some of the top South African musicians spans over a decade, and he has also performed in several countries, including the Netherlands, Swaziland, Tanzania, the USA, and Mozambique.

2024 was a huge one for the celebrated musician as he submitted his PhD research and was shortlisted for the prestigious Humanities and Social Sciences awards, with 3 of his albums, of which one album won. He also released his seventh album, Izibongo, which is a collection of thoughtfully composed pieces that pay homage to the power of gratitude. The title, ‘Izibongo’, takes its inspiration from the African tradition of reciting praise poetry and songs to honour people and accomplishments. As with all of his work, the artist has poured his heart and soul into this album, and the listener can expect an emotional and powerful journey of self-reflection.

Mash is currently working on the release of his eighth album, due for release in May 2025, titled Isigqi (The Incessant Beat of the People), which is an album deeply rooted in personal reflection, cultural identity, and musical heritage. It pays tribute to influential figures in Sibusiso Mash Mashiloane’s life—mentors, friends, and musical inspirations—who have shaped his artistic journey. Through each composition, he explores the rhythmic pulse of communities, the essence of Ubuntu, and the interconnectedness of self and society.

Now a key figure in South African Jazz, Mashiloane is sure to reach even greater heights in his promising career.