Switzerland's famed Montreux Jazz Fest heads to Franschhoek - a first for Africa

The famous Montreux Jazz Festival (MJF), held annually in Switzerland, is coming to Franschhoek in the Cape Winelands this year, a first for Africa.

Music lovers from across the globe are expected to make their way to this scenic valley to soak up the best of jazz from 27-29 March.

Amy MacIver of CapeTalk chatted to the couple that's made it all happen, MJF Franschhoek founder Mark Goedvolk and his wife Raffaella.

It was love at first sight when the two - one born in Italy and the other in South Africa - met in Maputo, Mozambique, 30 years ago, Raffaella relates.

The pair have been regular visitors to the MJF held in Montreux on the Lake Geneva shore since 2017, and it was there, having lunch on a terrace overlooking the water, that the idea of transplanting the event to their corner of the world first took shape.

Mark said the Festival is a wonderful experience because it brings together the best in music and the best in hospitality, the latter of which already exists in Franschhoek.

"We have everything - the iconic location, fantastic wine, fantastic hospitality, but the one thing we're missing is music.

"We thought that we could really match the kind of marriage between art and hospitality that already exists in Franschhoek, and with that bring something unique to our valley and hopefully to our province as well as the country. I think it can make a big difference, to put us on the global stage and act as a catalyst for our young talent to really have a stage into the rest of the world."

Ticket sales are set to open at the end of January, when the artist lineup will also be announced.

Hospitality packages for MJF Franschhoek are already available.

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To listen to Mark and Raffaella Goedvolk in conversation with Sara-Jayne Makwala King on CapeTalk's Weekend Breakfast, use the audio player below: