The word ‘kujenga’ in Swahili means ‘to build’ and it’s astonishing how quickly this young pan-Africanist music collective has built a significant musical identity and extensive support base. Known for their high-energy live performances that engage and connect with audiences, their inspiration comes from Black legacy artists of Africa such as Bheki Mseleku, Busi Mhlongo and Fela Kuti.

The band members have generally not had a formalised jazz education and their music thus reflects an osmotic conflation of the musical influences they grew up with in Cape Town. Their musical heritage is portrayed through a prism of their present social influences and has clearly struck a chord with their generation, who flock to their gigs. Even jazz heavyweights like Benjamin Jephta have collaborated with them, seeing in their approach a new avenue for the expression of Cape musical identity.

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