Zakifo brings Africa’s leading ladies to Durban

The sister festival of Sakifo on Reunion Island, Zakifo is a live music event that attempts to bring together cultures and people from Africa, the Indian Ocean islands and beyond.

Zakifo aims to set itself apart from the other music festivals by offering a line-up that puts special emphasis on female performers. Festivals typically tend to be overwhelmingly male, both on stage and behind the scenes. Zakifo turns the tables by having women dominate its line-up and also working behind the scenes as part of the production and public relations teams, and as content creators.

Zakifo is therefore presented as an event that showcases and recognises the talent of women in the music industry. Notable female artists performing at Zakifo this year include Estére and Cold Specks from New Zealand and Canada respectively, talented young women with African roots currently touring the continent for the first time; Maya Kamaty (Reunion); and Inna Modja, a Malian singer and model based in France. Watch the video for her track ‘Tomboctou’ from her recentalbum Motel Bamako below for a taste of what's in store.

Joining them in Durban will be Blitz The Ambassador (Ghana), Too Many Zooz (USA), Songhoy Blues (Mali), Kid Francescoli (France), Gran'mah (Mozambique) and touring Australian reggae band Kingfisha. Besides Kamaty, also representing Reunion will be Sauvage, Loryzine and popular reggae act Ti Rat & Rouge Reggae.

Zakifo also boasts an impressive line-up of South African acts, including established bands BCUC, The Brother Moves On, The Rudimentals, Tidal Waves and Driemanskap, fast-rising female talent in the form of Tribute 'Birdie' Mboweni, Moonchild Sanelly and Gigi Lamayne, as well as exciting electronic acts like Maramza, Sibot & Toyota, traditional grooves from Mashayabhuqe and plenty more.

Tickets for Zakifo are available now from Webtickets. For more details visit the Zakifo website or Facebook page, or check out the video below.