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It was a morning of rhythm, laughter, and reflection when South African soul sensation Dudu Makhoba and Ghana’s celebrated saxophonist Steve Boadi joined the Asaase Breakfast Show on Tuesday (28 October) to share stories of music, perseverance, and passion. The two artists, who recently performed at the inaugural “Jazz in Africa Festival” in Accra, spoke about their journeys and the importance of building a vibrant jazz culture across the continent. A South African voice finds a new home in Ghana Makhoba, whose rich and emotive voice captivated audiences during the festival, described her visit to Ghana as “beautiful and eye-opening.” “I didn’t know anything about Ghana until last week,” she said, laughing. “But I’ve tried a lot of food — my favourite so far is the light soup with banku! It reminded me of home.” The rising South African star revealed that her path into music began unexpectedly at age 13 when a persistent teacher forced her to join the school choir — under threat of cleaning the boys’ bathroom if she refused. “It started there,” she recalled. “I didn’t even want to join the choir, but once I did, I realised I could really sing. That teacher changed my life.” Since then, Makhoba has built a reputation for her soulful blend of jazz, gospel, and Afro-soul. Her forthcoming debut album, featuring ten original tracks, is expected to cement her place as one of South Africa’s most powerful new voices. “When people didn’t believe in me, I decided to believe in myself,” she said. “For my 30th birthday, I saved money, organised my own show, and proved that I could fill a venue. That was my turning point.” Steve Boadi on the power of creating platforms For Steve Boadi — the virtuoso saxophonist and founder of the Jazz in Africa Festival — the event was more than a performance; it was a mission. “This festival was born out of both passion and pain,” he explained. “There are so many talented musicians across Africa who never get a stage. I wanted to build a platform for those unheard voices.” Boadi, who has been performing professionally for over two decades, recently made a triumphant return to South Africa’s Joy of Jazz Festival — 20 years after last performing there. “When I walked on stage, the applause started from the back. I didn’t know those people, but they knew my music,” he said. “It reminded me that jazz connects us across borders.” He shared that the idea for Jazz in Africa began during the COVID-19 pandemic, when cancelled tours forced him to rethink his role as an artist. “I realised I couldn’t wait for opportunities — I had to create them,” he said. A celebration of African sound The debut Jazz in Africa Festival featured a lineup of acclaimed artists, including Albino and Beer, Solomon, Tom Braxton, and Dudu Makhoba, blending soulful melodies with Afro-jazz rhythms that left audiences spellbound. Makhoba, reflecting on her performance, admitted that Ghanaian audiences were reserved at first — but eventually, their enthusiasm poured through. “At first, I wasn’t sure if they were enjoying it,” she said. “But as I sang, I saw their faces light up. It was beautiful.” Both artists agreed that platforms like Jazz in Africa are vital to showcase homegrown talent and bridge cultural borders. “This is only the beginning,” Boadi said. “Africa’s jazz story deserves to be heard — from Accra to Johannesburg and beyond.”
