The Phelelani Mthembu Quartet

Likwezi Arts presents The Phelelani Mthembu Quartet live at The Alma Cafe

Tickets R180pp (show only)

Fri 18h30 for 19h00 (kitchen orders close at 19h00)

Live music starts after dinner service is completed. Dinner, dessert and drinks available. Fully licensed, BYOB not permitted. Card / cash (preferred) payment. 15% service fee charged.

More on the artist: Audiences at The Alma Café will experience one of South Africa's most compelling young jazz voices when guitarist Phelelani "Mkhonto" Mthembu takes to the stage with his quartet. Joined by Adam Selikowitz on double bass, Mthiomkhulu Stuurman on trombone and Jéane Louw on drums, Mkhonto brings a deeply personal musical language that is rooted in South Africa's jazz heritage while speaking boldly to the present. At only 24 years old, he performs with a maturity, confidence and emotional depth that suggest a lifetime of experience.

Many know Phelelani simply as Mkhonto, a name that originally belonged to his guitar before becoming his own. Today, it perfectly reflects his artistic identity. With his timeless style, quiet confidence and unmistakable stage presence, he evokes the spirit of Sophiatown's golden era, recalling a generation of Black artists whose creativity, elegance and resilience helped shape South Africa's cultural landscape.

Mkhonto's relationship with jazz is deeply informed by history. Asked why he chose the genre, he explains: "Through my music research I found jazz and learned that it was originally developed by African slaves in America who had to find a way, through Western instruments, to express their hardships and struggle for freedom." That understanding continues to shape his music, where every performance becomes an expression of memory, identity and liberation.

His reputation grew through the renowned Sawubona Music Jam sessions in Chiawelo, Soweto. In the intimate atmosphere of these weekly gatherings, Mkhonto became known for his calm, understated accompaniment before stepping forward to deliver guitar solos that were thoughtful, lyrical and emotionally charged. His playing tells stories without words, drawing listeners into moments of reflection and discovery.

Away from the stage, Mkhonto describes himself as a merchant. He sells a variety of goods to support himself and raise funds for studio time, demonstrating the determination and resilience required of many independent musicians. His unwavering commitment to his craft has brought him to the threshold of recording his debut album, The Man in the Green Blanket, inspired by Leon Sadiki's iconic photograph of a protesting mine worker wrapped in a green blanket. The project pays tribute to the struggles, dignity and perseverance of South Africa's working class.

Phelelani "Mkhonto" Mthembu is part of a new generation of South African jazz artists who honour the music's rich legacy while forging a distinctive voice of their own. His performances are soulful, thoughtful and deeply authentic, marking him as an exciting talent.