Rorisang Sechele is set to take the stage at the 23rd Cape Town International Jazz Festival with a performance that reflects both her growth and her grounding.
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Rorisang Sechele is fearless in her artistry.
“As a young artist, performing at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival has always been a dream of mine,” she told “Independent Media Lifestyle”.
“I remember having conversations with my roommate in high school about how exciting it would be just to attend the festival. Little did I know that, ten years later, I would be performing on the very stage we once spoke about.”
In March, the 23rd Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF) at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) will see Sechele bring her project, “The Seed”, to life on the Moses Molelekwa stage on March 27.
Her music blends jazz, R&B, neo-soul and gospel into a sound that is both intimate and expansive.
“The festival represents excellence, community and creative exchange, so standing on that stage truly feels like a full-circle moment in my journey,” Sechele said.
“I am most excited about finally sonically planting ‘The Seed' in Cape Town. I really wanted to perform there last year, but things did not go according to plan, which makes this opportunity even more meaningful."
"I am also looking forward to experiencing the festival as an audience member and connecting with international artists like Jacob Collier and Jasmine Myra.”
Audiences can expect a performance that mirrors Sechele’s growth as an artist and as a person.
“I always say that I want my music to make people feel like they have received a warm hug after a long day,” she explained.
“Whether I am planting a seed of courage or a seed of hope, my prayer is that the audience arrives with an open heart, ready for that seed to take root. My performances are rooted in jazz, infused with soul, storytelling and a touch of vulnerability."
"‘The Seed’ represents my journey, my growth and the lessons that I have learned along the way. This set will be an invitation into that world.”
Being fearless in music, she said, is central to her approach.
“To me, being fearless in music means having the courage to be completely honest and unapologetic. It is about showing up as my full, authentic self, without hiding behind expectations or trends. Fearlessness is choosing to trust my instincts, even when the path feels uncertain or is the road less taken, and allowing my truth to lead the creative process."
"It means being willing to experiment, make mistakes, and grow in public. Most importantly, it is about vulnerability, sharing my stories, emotions and experiences through music, even when it feels uncomfortable. Fearless artistry is not about being loud or bold for the sake of it; it is about being genuine and brave enough to let the music reflect who I truly am.”
Her journey has been shaped by family, mentors and education.
“Music and singing have always felt like my first language,” she said.
“My name means ‘praise’, so in many ways I have always known that music was my calling; I just never imagined it would lead me into the world of jazz.”
From school choirs to university classrooms, and from small local stages to national platforms, each step contributed to her growth.
Studying jazz formally “opened my ears and my heart to a whole new world of expression. It taught me discipline, creativity and the beauty of collaboration.”
Mentors like Nduduzo Makhathini and David April, alongside peers such as Thato Modika and Teboho Kobedi, played pivotal roles in her development.
“There have been moments of doubt and redirection,” Sechele reflected, “but each experience has planted a seed that has contributed to my voice, my sound and my story. Where I am today is the result of years of learning, unlearning, dreaming and trusting the process. The journey is still beautifully unfolding.”
Mzansi continues to shape her music.
“I’m a Tswana girl, and now more than ever, I feel a strong desire to infuse my culture into my music because it forms such an important part of my identity. Writing in my home language has been a challenge at times, but I intentionally try to incorporate it into my work as a staple of my influence and heritage."
Sechele said that their culture is deeply rooted in storytelling, and that has taught her to approach music as a way of preserving memory, sharing truth and building connection.
"Even when I explore contemporary or global sounds, there is always a South African heartbeat underneath it all. The warmth, resilience and spirit of our people continually inspire the way that I create and remind me that music is not just something we do here, it is something we live.”
The festival experience is more than performance for Sechele.
“Outside of the music, what I love most about connecting with audiences is the human exchange that happens in those moments. Festivals bring people from different backgrounds together with open hearts, simply to feel and experience something beautiful.
"I enjoy the conversations after performances, the shared laughter, the stories people tell about how a song touched them and realising how deeply music connects us beyond words."
She said that the festival environment feels like a little village, where it is full of energy, inspiration and community.
"I love watching other artists, discovering new sounds and being reminded that we are all part of something much bigger than ourselves. Those connections, both on and off stage, are what make the entire experience truly special.
"With AI and all these technological advancements, festivals remind us of the beauty and necessity of human interaction.”
The 23rd CTIJF is a celebration of excellence and diversity in jazz, taking place on March 27 and 28. Artists from South Africa and across the globe will come together for performances, collaborations, and shared experiences that showcase the richness of jazz as a living, evolving art form.
For Sechele, this festival is both a dream realised and a platform to share her own voice.
“Performing at a festival of this calibre is not just about the music,” she said, “it is about contributing to a legacy that has shaped so many of us.”
More information about the festival is available on the official website, www.capetownjazzfest.com, and tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster.