Press release:

The Centre for Jazz and Popular Music proudly presents Bongani Givethanks – Sounds From The Catalogue live on Wednesday 17 September 2025 at 17:30.

Bongani Givethanks (born Bongani Glen Sibanyon) hails from Mabopane, Pretoria. He is a boundary-pushing artist that blends Afro-jazz and nu-jazz. A pianist turned to a multifaceted musician, his work spans sound design, production, song writing, and bandleading.

With a sound rooted in African traditions yet futuristic in scope, Bongani has collaborated with various artists, and performed at festivals including Smoking Dragon, The Music Imbizo and Arts Alive (Rhythms of Resistance). Internationally, he has worked with Germany’s Jazz & Milk, Brazil’s Caixa Cubo, and joined the U.S. OneBeat residency.

He is the founder of Mvumo Productions and THEJAZZINJECTION, a community initiative preserving live music. Bongani continues to nurture talent and push creative boundaries. His releases, Indoda and Tsela to the recent El Hombre remix project with nu-jazz producer Gab Juz — showcase his genre-defying vision.

Bongani’s music lives where classic jazz meets the future, fusing live instrumentation, improvisation, and lush harmonies with the pulse of house music, downtempo, broken beats, and Afro-jazz rhythms.

Bongani reimagines his digitally composed stories through live instruments, voice, and improvisation. His sound blends classic jazz with house, downtempo, electronic, broken beats,  woven with African and Afro-jazz influences.

Joining him on stage are Victor Simeli (piano), Kgosi Bilankulu (bass), Churchill Six (drums), Aubrey Seapose (Lead Guitar), Mthokozisi Mazibuko and Thabang Kgatedi (percussions).

Gig Listing

Bongani Givethanks – Sounds from The Catalogue

Wednesday 17September 2025

UKZN, Centre for Jazz and Popular Music

University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, Howard College Campus, Dennis Shepstone Building, Level 2

Tickets will be available on webtickets: https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1572831670

Tickets available at the door: R120, R90 for pensioners, R60 for students