In the tapestry of global music, few figures shine as brightly as Ntate Caiphus Semenya. The legendary composer, arranger, and songwriter has spent decades shaping the sonic landscape of South Africa (SA) and the world, bridging continents and generations through his timeless melodies.
Now, as he steps into his 87th year, the iconic musician is preparing to give audiences a rare gift; a musical homecoming that celebrates his vast, enduring catalogue.
Speaking on Rise and Shine, Ntate Semenya reflected on his upcoming showcase, The Caiphus Semenya Songbook, set to take over the Joburg Theatre from September 18 to 20, 2026. The milestone production is a heartfelt tribute conceived alongside Joburg Theatre Chief Executive Officer Xoliswa Ngema, Director James Ngcobo, and Musical Director Tshepo Mngoma.
“I wouldn’t say it’s my idea alone. It’s an idea that Ngema had, an idea Ngcobo had, and an idea that I had during a discussion when we were discussing the academy that we are building,” Semenya explained. I was just tired of just another concert. About two months ago, they convinced me that we should do it. Let’s get some artists and get Mngoma to come and help as a music director, and you just sit and watch. So, I said, okay, let’s do it.”
Semenya’s career is deeply intertwined with SA’s cultural history, marked by decades in exile where he collaborated with international legends. Among his many achievements, his pan-African approach to music creation has allowed his work to resonate deeply far beyond SA borders.
Co-host Peter Ndoro reminded the maestro that his hit “Angelina” was a staple at Zimbabwean weddings for years, inspiring a classic dance step. For Semenya, that pan-African connection was sparked in childhood by listening to his father’s gramophone records in Johannesburg.
“When I was a kid, my father had a gramophone. I think the first time I heard a guitar player from Congo, I loved that Congolese guitar,” Semenya shared. “That bug bit me since I was a child, that I was going to try and do music from other parts of Africa. If you listen to Angelina, there’s a little bit of Congo in there, there’s SA in there, and a little bit of the United States.”
As SA prepares to honor one of its greatest living treasures this September at the Joburg Theatre, Semenya remains as forward-looking as ever. With plans for an arts academy underway, his songbook continues to play on as a soundtrack to a nation’s soul.
–ChannelAfrica–
