Welcome to the SAJE home page!
The mission of the South African Association for Jazz Education is:
- to assure the growth of jazz in South Africa
- to assure the development of jazz and jazz education in urban and rural areas,
- to build the jazz arts community by advancing education and research,
- to promote skills development and performance,
- to develop new audiences,
- to document, preserve and archive our South African jazz heritage.
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The mission of the South African Association for Jazz Education is:
- to assure the growth of jazz in South Africa
- to assure the development of jazz and jazz education in urban and rural areas,
- to build the jazz arts community by advancing education and research,
- to promote skills development and performance,
- to develop new audiences,
- to document, preserve and archive our South African jazz heritage.
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Thursday 30 April 2026 - International Jazz Day
In celebration of International Jazz Day, the South African Association for Jazz Education,
Centre for Jazz and Popular Music (UKZN), Centre for Creative Arts (UKZN)
and the Cape Town International Jazz Festival, present
Miles & Trane @ 100
a webinar series exploring the enduring influence of Miles Davis and John Coltrane on South African jazz.
From trumpet to saxophone, the sessions will unpack how these legends continue to shape local sound, storytelling and creative expression
When: Thursday 30 April 2026
Saxophone Panel 11:00-12:00 (African Central Time)
Trumpet Panel 17:00-18:00 (African Central Time)
In celebration of International Jazz Day, the South African Association for Jazz Education,
Centre for Jazz and Popular Music (UKZN), Centre for Creative Arts (UKZN)
and the Cape Town International Jazz Festival, present
Miles & Trane @ 100
a webinar series exploring the enduring influence of Miles Davis and John Coltrane on South African jazz.
From trumpet to saxophone, the sessions will unpack how these legends continue to shape local sound, storytelling and creative expression
When: Thursday 30 April 2026
Saxophone Panel 11:00-12:00 (African Central Time)
Trumpet Panel 17:00-18:00 (African Central Time)
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16th SAJE CONFERENCE
25 - 27 FEBRUARY 2026
UKZN Centre for Jazz and Popular Music
"Indigenous Musical Elements in South African Jazz: Exploring Theory and Practice"
This years’ conference explores how indigenous musical knowledge lives inside South African jazz, as “influence”, but also as structure, language, technique, and philosophy. We move between theory and practice: analysing rhythm, melody, harmony, tone, form, and improvisation; while also hearing and seeing these ideas in performance, demonstration, and workshop spaces. Across traditions (including ngoma approaches, marabi, mbaqanga, maskandi, Cape idioms, bow and choral lineages), we ask what it means to learn, credit, transmit, and innovate responsibly, in the studio, on stage, and in academics.
25 - 27 FEBRUARY 2026
UKZN Centre for Jazz and Popular Music
"Indigenous Musical Elements in South African Jazz: Exploring Theory and Practice"
This years’ conference explores how indigenous musical knowledge lives inside South African jazz, as “influence”, but also as structure, language, technique, and philosophy. We move between theory and practice: analysing rhythm, melody, harmony, tone, form, and improvisation; while also hearing and seeing these ideas in performance, demonstration, and workshop spaces. Across traditions (including ngoma approaches, marabi, mbaqanga, maskandi, Cape idioms, bow and choral lineages), we ask what it means to learn, credit, transmit, and innovate responsibly, in the studio, on stage, and in academics.
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Meet the new SAJE Boards for 2025 - 2027
SAJE Executive Board 2025 – 2027
President: Sibusiso Mashiloane (UKZN)
Vice-President: Phuti Sepuru (UNISA) 2025-2026
Treasurer: Thulile Zama (UKZN)
Secretary: Monique Hellenberg (NMU) 2025-2026
SAJE Regional Representatives Board 2025-2027
Viwe Mkizwana
Benjamin Jephta
Mimi Mtshali
Claire Rontsch
Shaun Johannes
Kyle du Preez
SAJE Executive Board 2025 – 2027
President: Sibusiso Mashiloane (UKZN)
Vice-President: Phuti Sepuru (UNISA) 2025-2026
Treasurer: Thulile Zama (UKZN)
Secretary: Monique Hellenberg (NMU) 2025-2026
SAJE Regional Representatives Board 2025-2027
Viwe Mkizwana
Benjamin Jephta
Mimi Mtshali
Claire Rontsch
Shaun Johannes
Kyle du Preez
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South African Jazz Stories 2020-2022
An online jazz video project
#southafricanjazzstories
SAJE on Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/@southafricanassociationforjazz/featured
An online jazz video project
#southafricanjazzstories
SAJE on Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/@southafricanassociationforjazz/featured
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