Linda Sikhakhane and Vusi Mahlasela Bring Jazz Back to Braamfontein’s Most Storied Stage

The former home of The Orbit continues its musical legacy with two of South Africa’s most celebrated musical voices

The story of one of South Africa’s most important live music venues continues to unfold every Saturday night. Once home to the legendary The Orbit jazz club, 81 De Korte Street in Braamfontein has found a new chapter through Jazz at Jozi Gold, where the space’s rich musical heritage continues to come alive with weekly performances from some of South Africa’s finest musicians.

Braamfontein’s own story mirrors that of the venue. Once a suburb in decline through the 1990s and early 2000s, the neighbourhood has undergone one of Johannesburg’s most significant urban renewal journeys. Bordering Wits University, the area has grown into one of the city’s most vibrant creative precincts, home to galleries, design studios, markets and independent culture spaces. Every Saturday night, Jazz at Jozi Gold adds a live-music chapter to that revival, restoring one of Braamfontein’s most storied addresses to its place at the heart of the area’s cultural renaissance.

Following a memorable performance by acclaimed trumpeter Sydney Mavundla earlier this month, the July programme at Jozi Gold Brewing Company continues with two exceptional artists whose careers reflect the depth, diversity and global influence of South African music.

On Saturday, 18 July, internationally acclaimed saxophonist and composer Linda Sikhakhane returns to the very stage where he first introduced himself as a bandleader almost a decade ago, when the venue was still known as The Orbit. Now signed to Blue Note / Universal Music Africa and recognised as one of the country’s most exciting contemporary jazz voices, Sikhakhane’s music effortlessly bridges traditional African spirituality with modern jazz expression. His Jozi Gold performance will offer audiences an exclusive preview of music from his forthcoming fifth album, LINDA, making the evening both a homecoming and a glimpse into the next chapter of his remarkable career.

On Saturday, 25 July, audiences can experience the unmistakable voice of Vusi Mahlasela, one of South Africa’s most revered musical storytellers. Known simply around the world as The Voice, Mahlasela has spent more than three decades carrying messages of hope, reconciliation and humanity to audiences across the globe. His extraordinary career has seen him perform alongside artists including Sting, Paul Simon, Dave Matthews Band, Hugh Masekela and Angélique Kidjo, while his music has become woven into the cultural fabric of democratic South Africa. Audiences will also experience songs from his forthcoming album, Questions and Answers, alongside the timeless catalogue that has made him one of Africa’s defining musical voices.

“One of the reasons this series has resonated with audiences is because people understand the significance of this room,” says spokesperson Gynis Jardine. “The Orbit played such an important role in South African jazz, and we’re incredibly proud that the music continues to live here. Every Saturday we’re honouring that legacy while introducing new audiences to some of the finest artists this country has produced.”

Since launching its Saturday night programme, Jazz at Jozi Gold has steadily re-established Braamfontein as a destination for live jazz, celebrating both internationally recognised artists and the next generation of South African talent in one of Johannesburg’s most historic music spaces.

As the series continues throughout 2026, every performance adds another chapter to a venue that has already played an unforgettable role in South Africa’s jazz story.

Bookings: www.quicket.co.za

Upcoming performances

18 July – Linda Sikhakhane

25 July – Vusi Mahlasela

August

1 August – Maleh

8 August – Keenan Ahrends

15 August – Mthunzi Mvubu

22 August – Louis Mahlanga

29 August – Herbie Tsoaeli

The post Linda Sikhakhane and Vusi Mahlasela Bring Jazz Back to Braamfontein’s Most Storied Stage appeared first on SA Music Magazine.