Bongeziwe Mabandla Marks Milestone Year With SAMA Win, Historic Kirstenbosch Performance and Global Tour Announcement
Bongeziwe Mabandla is standing firmly in a moment that feels both earned and expansive, one defined by recognition, reinvention and a deepening connection with audiences both at home and abroad. This past weekend, the acclaimed singer-songwriter made his long-awaited debut at the iconic Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, performing to an audience of 3,500 people in what has already become one of the most talked about live moments of his career.
Taking to the Kirstenbosch stage dressed in Thebe Magugu’s SS2026 collection Alchemy II, the night was as visually poetic as it was musically powerful, reflecting an artist fully comfortable in his creative evolution and cultural relevance.
This milestone performance followed closely on the heels of a major career achievement at the South African Music Awards (SAMA), where Bongeziwe Mabandla claimed the SAMA for Remix of the Year for “Hlala”, remixed by Mpho Wav. The win marked his third SAMA and signalled a meaningful shift in his artistic journey. The remix formed part of his 2025 amaXesha remixes project, a body of work that boldly stepped away from his signature folk rooted sound and into the worlds of dance, electronic and club culture.
Reflecting on the win, Bongeziwe Mabandla shares: “A SAMA in dance music is a big celebration, as it’s quite a departure from my usual sound. It’s incredible to know that people connected with the remix of Hlala as much as the original. Mpho Wav did an amazing job. A big thank you to everyone who worked on this, and most of all to everyone who listened.”
With these moments setting the tone, Bongeziwe Mabandla has now turned his gaze forward, announcing the first dates of his 2026 world tour. The announcement hints at new music, familiar favourites and cities he is yet to explore, inviting listeners into the next chapter of his story with characteristic humility and warmth.
Speaking to his audience, he shares, “New dates, new songs, some new places and many favourites. I can’t wait to see you all and share what I have been working on. More on this in the weeks and months to follow.”
Fans and music lovers are encouraged to purchase tickets via Bongeziwe.com for tickets. South African tour dates are set to be announced at a later stage, with plans actively underway.
Bongeziwe Mabandla confirmed 2026 tour dates include:
06/04 Munich at Milla Club
07/04 Utrecht at Tivoli Vredenburg Cloud 9
08/04 Cologne at Yuca
09/04 Groningen at Poppodium Simplon
11/04 Copenhagen at Vega
15/04 Eindhoven at Effenaar
17/04 Rotterdam at LantarenVenster
19/04 Hamburg at Knust
20/04 Vienna at B72
21/04 Bristol at The Louisiana
22/04 Manchester at The Lodge at The Deaf Institute
23/04 London at Here at Outernet
25/04 Brussels at Botanique Orangerie
26/04 Ghent at Wintercircus
27/04 Berlin at Frannz Club
28/04 Paris at Le Petit Bain
30/04 Zurich at Plaza
Together, these moments paint the picture of an artist in full command of his voice, his vision and his place in the global music landscape. From the quiet power of his songwriting to the boldness of his experimentation, Bongeziwe Mabandla continues to move with intention, inviting audiences to grow with him, wherever the music may lead next.
Keep streaming Bongeziwe Mabandla’s amaXesha Remixes available on all major platforms: https://platoon.lnk.to/amaxesha-remixes