Bassline Fest: Vusi Mahlasela to belt out 2 decades of African rhythm

The legendary "Voice of South Africa," Vusi Mahlasela, is set to perform at the upcoming Bassline Fest, rekindling a long-standing relationship with the iconic event.

"I am happy to be part of The Bassline Africa Celebration Festival," Mahlasela says. "I have long been a part of this celebration."

Mahlasela’s history with the festival runs deep; he first took to the Bassline stage in 2006 alongside the late legendary Oliver Mtukudzi. Speaking to Eyewitness News, Mahlasela reflected on how the festival and the celebration of Africa Day have evolved over the last 20 years.

“The Bassline Festival... I first performed alongside Oliver Mtukudzi, and it was a really great thing to happen in 2006. Gradually, the African celebration festival progressed very well, featuring great artists from the continent and locally. I personally think that we should celebrate Africa every day. 'Africa Unite' is a growing slogan. Celebrating Africa through music brings us positive messages of hope and celebrates who we are as people. Say Africa.”

The festival returns to Constitution Hill Square on 23 May 2026, marking 20 years of Bassline’s dedicated championship of African music.

THE POET-ACTIVIST OF MAMELODI

Mahlasela is globally celebrated for his distinct, powerful vocals and poetic, optimistic songwriting. His songs of hope have long served as a bridge for an apartheid-scarred nation, pointing toward the promise of a more just and humane future.

Raised in Mamelodi Township, where he still resides, Vusi emerged early in his career as both a singer-songwriter and a poet-activist.

“Yes, I still live in Mamelodi, and Mamelodi is my family,” he shares.

“Mamelodi has a lot of history, and it is a country of its own. In the new album Questions and Answers, I have a song called 'Pitori / Pretoria.' I sing about Mamelodi in it. I get a lot of inspiration from this place, but Africa is also close to my heart as we have one thing in common: Ubuntu.”

A SPIRITUAL ROADMAP: UMOYA AND BEYOND
In September 2023, Vusi released Umoya, his most personal work to date and his first studio album of new material in 13 years.

“The Umoya album is more of a roadmap that I have travelled through spiritually,” Mahlasela explains. “The music was a pointed directive from my ancestors and the spirit of the Most High. It addresses what we need to do from now onwards, and not to take any directives from outside Africa anymore. Umoya is a direct order that encourages us to have the right culture of cultivating the right ideas and not to be afraid of thoughts left unexpressed.”

Recorded at Flame Studios at Constitution Hill and produced by multiple Grammy Award-winner JB Arthur, Umoya represents a return to Vusi’s folk roots. While the album was created with young musicians from his own music development foundation, Mahlasela clarified that he will be performing at the festival with his regular band.

“No! No student will be joining me from the school at ConHill on stage. I will be performing with my band,” he told Eyewitness News.

Fans can also look forward to more new music soon. Mahlasela’s upcoming album, Questions and Answers, is scheduled for release in April 2026.

“Questions and Answers is addressing the situation of the crowded place we are in and our need for a peaceful place,” says Mahlasela. “Where there is peace, justice, and equality.”