‘I have never felt quite such power in a room, or in a nation.’
Cape Town, South Africa (31 March 2026) – Cape Town put on a show for Jacob Collier. And Jacob Collier put on a show for Cape Town.
The Grammy-winning musical prodigy took to the Klippies Stage at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival over the past weekend. He leaned into the audience participation he’s become world-famous for and shared the stage with SA’s own.
Highlights included the crowd getting a soulful rendition of Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds on the double bass, he welcomed his mom, Suzie, and her violin onto the stage, and he surprised everyone by bringing Cape Town’s Thanda Choir on stage with him, alongside other local collaborators.
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“What a JOY to have the mighty Thanda Choir join me for my Cape Town show, and even more of a privilege to have them teach me this song of theirs, ‘Uthando.’ It raised the roof!” he later wrote.
And, of course, we had all the goosebumps watching the video of Collier and his crowd delivering South Africa’s national anthem, Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika, in harmony.
When he wasn’t on stage, Jacob was out exploring the beauty that makes the Mother City one of the world’s best (and most beautiful). He visited the penguins, soaked up the views from Table Mountain, and even paraglided to get a bird’s-eye view of the coast.
When an interviewer asked him about his experience of South Africa, he described it as pure joy.
“Instant joy. All ages, colourful clothes, music in every corner of the street. A sense of inclusivity and welcomingness – you’ve got the mountain, you’ve got the waters. Everything you could ever want as a human being is right here.”
Jacob loved his first trip here so much, like so many who visit our beautiful corner of the world do, he is already itching to return! That’s just the effect South Africa has on people.
“My first time in South Africa was something unforgettable. From the glory of Table Mountain, to the paraglide from Signal Hill to the beach, to the wall of 7,000 voices singing Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika — I have never felt quite such power in a room, or in a nation. ‘Twas my first show on the Mother Continent, and already I’m desperate to return. Thank you, Cape Town – I cannot wait for the next one!!” he wrote.
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