CTIJF 2025: Uniting people through music and culture

THE Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF), one of Africa’s premier music events, has long been celebrated not only for its world-class performances but also for its role in fostering social cohesion in South Africa.

This year’s edition continued to serve as a unifying force, bringing together diverse communities through music, economic empowerment, and cultural exchange.

South Africa’s history of segregation still influences social dynamics today. However, the CTIJF has consistently provided a space where people from all racial, ethnic, and economic backgrounds gather in celebration. The festival’s audience comprises 40% local Capetonians, 30% domestic tourists, and 30% international visitors, creating a melting pot of cultures.

Jazz, with its roots in African-American and African traditions, resonates deeply in South Africa, where it has been a medium for political expression and cultural identity. By blending local jazz legends with international stars, the festival fosters a shared appreciation that transcends historical divisions.

It has been reported that many attendees viewed the festival as a “post-apartheid meeting ground” where people who might not otherwise interact engage in a collective cultural experience. This year’s lineup, featured artists from townships and affluent suburbs alike, reinforces this unifying effect.

The festival generates an estimated R900 million for the Western Cape economy annually. A key driver of social cohesion is economic participation, and the CTIJF actively involves: - Local food vendors (from Khayelitsha, Gugulethu, and other townships) - Craft markets showcasing South African designers - Small-scale transport operators benefiting from increased demand

This inclusive economic model ensures that wealth distribution from the festival reaches marginalized communities, reducing inequality — a critical factor in social cohesion.

The event creates more than 5 000 temporary jobs in security, logistics, hospitality, and stage management, many filled by youth from disadvantaged areas. By providing skills and income, the festival helps bridge socio-economic gaps.

A cornerstone of the CTIJF’s social impact is its educational outreach. The Youth Jazz Festival, held in the days leading up to the main event, offered free workshops and performances by young musicians from townships and rural areas. According to reports, more than 500 students participate annually, many of whom later secure scholarships or professional gigs.

The festival facilitates cross-cultural learning by arranging masterclasses where global jazz icons mentor local talent. These interactions break down elitism in the arts, making high-level music education accessible to historically excluded groups.

The CTIJF deliberately platforms indigenous jazz, Afro-fusion, and traditional sounds, reinforcing national pride. In 2024, artists such as Bokani Dyer and Spha Mdlalose represented South Africa’s rich jazz evolution. This year’s edition is expected to continued this trend, blending maskandi, marabi, and modern jazz to reflect the country’s diverse musical heritage.

The festival’s location in Cape Town, a city still grappling with spatial apartheid, is symbolic. By drawing crowds to the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) — a space accessible to all — it challenges lingering segregation in public venues.

Unlike segregated nightlife scenes, the CTIJF offers a neutral, inclusive environment where people from different backgrounds mingle freely. Surveys cited by IOL found that 68% of attendees interacted with someone from a different racial group, fostering organic social bonds.

Music has been proven to lower social tensions, and the festival’s emphasis on collaborative performances (such as past impromptu jam sessions) encourages spontaneous unity among strangers.

The 2025 Cape Town International Jazz Festival was more than a musical showcase — it was a blueprint for social cohesion in a divided society. The festival exemplified how arts and culture can drive meaningful societal change.