A joyful celebration of music as over 1,100 performers set to unite in Cape Town for the world’s biggest marimba ensemble
Cape Town, South Africa (22 July 2025) – Get ready for record-breaking rhythm! Over 1,000 marimba players from South Africa and Zimbabwe are gearing up to make musical history in Cape Town.
On Saturday, 2 August 2025, the Grand Arena at GrandWest will come alive as more than 1,100 marimba musicians unite in an official attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the largest marimba ensemble. The current record of 550 players, set in Guatemala, is set to be doubled in this proudly African celebration of sound, culture and community.
The event, themed “United in Harmony”, is the vision of Kiara Ramklass, founder of Marimba Jam, who has spent over a decade bringing marimba music to schools across the country.
“South African marimbas are tuned in C major. It’s almost impossible to feel sad when you hear them. They create this magical, happy energy. That’s what we’re sharing with the world on the 2nd of August,” says Kiara.
The players, ranging from eight years old to sixty-two, will be travelling from all nine provinces of South Africa, as well as from two schools in Zimbabwe. Some groups are driving in from as far as Johannesburg and Durban, all bringing their instruments and their energy to this vibrant stage.
This is not Marimba Jam’s first try at making history. In 2018, they unofficially beat Australia’s record with 241 girls performing on Women’s Day. Now, with a Guinness World Records adjudicator flying in from London, it’s set to be official.
“This event is more than just breaking a record,” says Kiara. “It’s about showing what’s possible when we come together across socio-economic divides private schools, township schools, rural schools all on one stage. It’s a loud, joyful message of ubuntu.”
The group will perform a 10-minute medley of “Waka Waka” and “Jerusalema,” two proudly African anthems that celebrate unity.
Want to be part of the celebration? Find out more https://marimbajam.co.za/
Sources: Supplied
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