The Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF) isn’t just a festival — it’s a movement, a legacy, and now, a bold statement of women’s power in the music industry.

After 22 iconic years, Africa’s biggest and most legendary jazz event is defying norms with an all-female leadership team, rewriting the rules in a space long dominated by men.

These leading women aren’t just keeping the festival’s legacy alive — they’re amplifying it, reimagining its future, and driving it forward with fearless vision, unstoppable creativity, and unmatched passion.

Since Dr Iqbal Survé and the Survé family acquired the CTIJF, Dr Survé has never just spoken about empowering women — he has made it a reality. Years ago, he declared that women would not just sit at the table but lead from the front.

Today, that promise is alive in every sector of Sekunjalo, from media and e-commerce to fishing and digital innovation. The appointment of an all-women leadership team is not a milestone; it is a continuation of a legacy where women rise, lead, and reshape industries.

The Cape Town International Jazz Festival is yet another proof of this vision — because when women thrive, businesses, communities, and entire nations rise with them.

The festival has always been iconic, attracting some of the biggest names in jazz, soul, and contemporary music.

But now, under the leadership of Shaakirah Adams and her formidable team, the CTIJF is undergoing an evolution that is as inspiring as it is groundbreaking.

They are not simply executing plans; they are driving a new era for the festival, ensuring it remains as relevant, exciting, and powerful as ever. Their creativity, strategic vision, and fresh energy bring a renewed dynamism to an event that has already cemented itself as Africa’s Grandest Gathering.

"Leading an all-female team at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival is more than just a role — it's a responsibility to honor 22 years of legacy while pushing the festival into an exciting new era. We’re not just organising a world-class event; we’re shaping an experience that inspires, connects, and cements its place as Africa’s Grandest Gathering," said Shaakirah Adams, Festival Head.