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Sabu Jiyana – Personal Profile Siyabulela (Sabu) Jiyana is a South African multi-instrumentalist, composer, music educator, cultural practitioner, and arts development advocate from Langa, Cape Town. He is known for his commitment to preserving and promoting African musical traditions while presenting them in contemporary and globally accessible forms. Professional Background Sabu has been active in the performing arts for more than two decades. He completed postgraduate studies in music performance at University of Cape Town and has built a career that combines performance, education, research, community development, and cultural preservation. He was one of the pioneers of the University of Cape Town Music Outreach Programme and helped establish the Samba Ensemble at UCT. His work has consistently focused on making music education accessible while strengthening African cultural identity. Artistic Vision Sabu’s artistic philosophy is rooted in Pan-Africanism. Through his project, Sabu Jiyana’s Matimba Project, he seeks to demonstrate how traditional African musical practices can coexist with modern artistic expression. His work highlights African aesthetic principles such as: * Polyphony * Polyrhythms * Cross-rhythms * Interlocking patterns * Call and response * Indigenous timbres His goal is to present Africa’s musical heritage as a living and evolving tradition that speaks to contemporary audiences around the world. Musical Projects Abavuki Sabu is a co-founder and long-time member of Abavuki, an Afro-fusion marimba ensemble from Cape Town that has toured extensively across Africa, Europe, Asia, and beyond. Addis Ababa Ensemble He is also a founding member of the Addis Ababa Ensemble, a group dedicated to exploring African musical traditions and intercultural collaborations. Matimba Project In 2017, after completing his postgraduate studies, Sabu founded the Matimba Project. The project explores what he calls “The Pan-African Sound,” incorporating instruments and musical traditions from across the continent. International Career Sabu has performed and taught in numerous countries across Europe, Africa, Asia, and North America. Career highlights include: * Performing at major festivals such as Colours of Ostrava, Respekt Festival, and Afrika Festival Hertme. * Delivering workshops and masterclasses in Europe and Mexico. * Participating in the Nokia “Sounds of the World” project, composing two ringtones in 2014. * Contributing to the Cape Town World Design Capital campaign. * Serving as a featured artist for WOMEX-related promotional activities. Music Education Beyond performance, Sabu is an experienced teacher specializing in African music. He has headed African music programmes, facilitated workshops for schools and cultural institutions, and developed educational initiatives aimed at reconnecting young Africans with their heritage through music. His teaching emphasizes indigenous instruments such as: * uHadi * uMrhubhe * Mbira * Akadinda * Nyungwe Nyungwe * Talking Drum Recordings Notable releases include: * 42 Jabavu – a tribute to the street where he was born. * KwaNomthandazo. * Numerous recordings through Abavuki and other collaborative projects. Community and Cultural Development Sabu’s work extends beyond performance into cultural revitalization and community development. He has developed initiatives focused on: * Reviving traditional Xhosa musical instruments. * Teaching indigenous knowledge systems. * Creating opportunities for youth engagement through music. * Using performing arts as a tool for cultural education and social cohesion. His long-term vision is to strengthen African cultural confidence while building meaningful connections between traditional knowledge and contemporary society. Short Professional Biography Siyabulela “Sabu” Jiyana is a South African multi-instrumentalist, composer, educator, and cultural practitioner from Langa, Cape Town. A postgraduate graduate in Music Performance from the University of Cape Town, he is the founder of the Matimba Project and a co-founder of Abavuki and the Addis Ababa Ensemble. Having toured internationally for over two decades, he is recognized for his Pan-African musical approach, which combines indigenous African instruments, traditional knowledge systems, and contemporary musical practices. Through performance, education, and community development, he continues to champion African cultural heritage and musical innovation.

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