JOHANNESBURG – For nearly four decades, Mantwa Chinoamadi has been one of the quiet powerhouses behind South Africa’s live music scene.
As the producer of the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz, she has helped shape what is now one of the continent’s biggest jazz festivals.
This year, as the event marks its 25th anniversary, Chinoamadi said the industry is finally shifting – and women are leading the sound.
From intern to industry leader
Chinoamadi’s career started in the late 1980s at T Music Man. She was an intern, and the only woman in the room.
“It was quite difficult because I was the only woman and a lot of the men were saying ‘what is this girl doing here?’ But I knew what I was doing,” she said.
That determination was rooted early.
“My father always said I do not want girls or boys. I want strong human beings who will go out there and get whatever they want.”
She has been involved with Standard Bank Joy of Jazz since 1999, and has watched the festival, and the industry, evolve.
Changing the narrative, on stage and off
For years, Chinoamadi said, the story of South African jazz put men at the front and women in the background. She set out to change that.
“We knew we wanted to change the narrative. For too long the front stage belonged to the men and the women were just backing singers. This is their time to shine,” she said.
Now she’s seeing the results.
“It’s been quite encouraging to see... we are getting a lot of young women who are also coming into the fold. So that gives us great comfort,” she said.
Behind the scenes, Chinoamadi is also breaking ground.
“This was the first time we've had all women working on the production, which was also quite exciting for us because we're also giving opportunities to women,” she said.
25 years of Joy
The Standard Bank Joy of Jazz returns to the Sandton Convention Centre on 25 and 26 September 2026.
The festival will also host a free concert on Heritage Day, 24 September, though tickets for that event are already sold out.
As the festival celebrates a quarter-century, Chinoamadi says the goal remains the same: bring joy to fans and create space for the next generation.
Event details:
The Standard Bank Joy of Jazz
Dates: 25 & 26 September 2026
Venue: Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg
Tickets available via Ticketmaster
eNCA is a proud media partner