Affectionately referred to as “Africa’s grandest gathering”, the Cape Town International Jazz festival (CTIJF) is famous for its star-studded line-up of artists from all over the world.
But the music extravaganza — known for its eclectic mix of jazz and jazz-related music — “may soon lose its lustre”, fear some festivalgoers and musicians after it failed to make a comeback this month. The event was shut down by Covid-19 in 2020 and is yet to return.
Traditionally attracting about 30,000 people each year to the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), it was one of the biggest and most popular jazz festivals in the world.
It was postponed in March 2023 to February 23 and 24. Jazz lovers geared up to descend on Cape Town for the 21st edition of this musical feast this month but were left disappointed after it was postponed for the third time.
Festival organisers espAfrika announced in a website post that the event “will take place later in 2024”.
“The exact dates will be communicated shortly. The organisers understand that the postponement will cause inconvenience to many loyal fans and existing ticket holders, for which they [organisers] sincerely apologise.”
The latest deferral has left some fans questioning the future of the festival.
Jazz enthusiast Nolundi Siwela of Gqeberha was frustrated and despondent. “I don’t know what to make of these postponements any more. When Covid hit we understood why the jazz festival was put off. Last year we were more hopeful that it would finally come, but when it was shelved, we had to be a bit patient as things had not been the same after Covid. But the latest postponement is taking things to the extreme. I feel very disheartened.”
Siwela had already purchased flight tickets and booked accommodation in Cape Town.
“The jazz fest had become an annual tradition for my friends and I. We’ve always budgeted for it and we would book tickets as soon as the line-up is announced, but due to these abnormal cancellations I risk losing my money.
“I already had a flight ticket booked which cannot be refunded. The airline said I can rebook for a later date and pay penalties, but I don’t even know which date to choose as organisers have not even communicated possible dates for the next show.”
I used to attend all three jazz festivals each year without fail, but the Cape Town festival is no longer on my bucket list.
— Sibongile Dube, Durban jazz enthusiast
Last March espAfrika said the postponement was due to “unforeseen challenges”, which included “a series of unavoidable delays, as well as uncertainties around the future of load-shedding, all which had negatively impacted the planning for 2023”.
Among the festival sponsors is the department of arts and culture, software and technology group Ayo Technology and Independent Media. Afro-jazz queen Judith Sephuma was expected to perform at the festival in 2023.
Durban jazz enthusiast Sibongile Dube said due to several postponements and an “unimpressive line-up”, she had switched to other annual jazz festivals such as Durban Jazz Festival and the Joy of Jazz in Johannesburg.
“I used to attend all three jazz festivals each year without fail, but the Cape Town festival is no longer on my bucket list,” said Dube.
Jazz pianist and composer Sibusiso Mash Mashiloane, who lectures music at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and previously performed at the festival, was saddened by the postponement.
“Jazz remains one of the fundamental tools for musicians to express themselves. It is music that is regarded as sophisticated ... it’s about human restoration, so we can’t let it die like that.
“One thing that made the festival so special to me is that it was about pure jazz music. To see how people engaged with themselves and enjoyed themselves while performing was just so awesome to witness. Jazz is one form of music that attaches one to a particular geography because of the authenticity.
“People travelled all the way to experience the authenticity of this art form that gives us life. So it is sad to see it being denied. If it dies it means that people will be deprived of an opportunity to connect and express themselves geographically.”
A Cape Town jazz artist, who didn’t want to be named, said the continuous holdback of the flagship event has left the jazz community “worried and feeling stranded”.
“Both the artists and the whole of South Africa would be left poorer if it were to die.
“The double postponements and non-communication as to why it is being delayed just doesn’t inspire confidence. Instead it had led to a lot of speculation and there are fears about its future. I hope it comes backs as no-one would rejoice at its downfall.”
Cape Town Jazz Festival spokesperson Kaz Henderson said: “The organisers are delighted to inform that the festival will be back in 2024 as stated, but that it has had to move its time-slot due to the availability of the venue and that it is Ramadan during the time of its usual staging.
“Thus a later version of the CTIJF has been specially created so that the organisers can keep to the promise of staging a festival in this year. CTIJF knows fans are eager for news and they can’t wait to share the line-up and dates with them, which will happen very soon. In terms of sponsors for the event, these will also be announced as and when the information is released.”
The festival generates millions of rand for the City of Cape Town through spending by visitors, organisers and job creation.
Safety and security MMC JP Smith said: “The city’s special events committee will deliberate on the request for funding, and a decision on sponsorship for the event will be made in due course.”
Smith said the city had previously sponsored the jazz festival financially and through support in the form of event and municipal services.
“The city’s partnership with the CTIJF goes back many years and during that period has been one of the Mother City’s signature events, contributing to job creation, economic activity, youth development and tourism,” he said.
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