Folk In the City Presents Jabulile Majola

When he last graced this stage, he delivered one of the most memorable performances we’ve witnessed—leaving the room hushed, hearts open, and songs lingering long after the final note. It’s a true joy to welcome him back and create new memories together.

Jabulile has quietly but powerfully captured the music community with heart-wrenching melodies and deeply relatable stories. His songs have a way of finding a home in all of us—tender, honest, and profoundly human. We’re honoured to host him once again as part of our Folk in the City music series, a celebration of the beauty, intimacy, and simplicity of truly great songwriting.

Adopted by a pastor’s family in rural Greytown, KwaZulu-Natal, at the age of two, Jabulani Majola grew up alongside 26 siblings. His early grounding in the church sparked a lifelong relationship with music. Raised bilingually, his love for language evolved into poetry, first expressed through rap songs recorded in small rural studios in Greytown.

After high school, Jabulani moved to Cape Town, where he discovered folk music and immersed himself in the storytelling traditions of Bon Iver, Paul Simon, Joseph Shabalala, and Leonard Cohen. Inspired by their narrative depth, he began shaping a project named in honour of his mother—Jabulile Majola.

Through his writing, Jabulani explores identity, belonging, and vulnerability with remarkable grace. His voice carries an emotional depth matched only by his poignant lyricism, earning him admiration and endorsements from Samthing Soweto, Sun-El Musician, Bongeziwe Mabandla, Jeremy Loops, and Låpsley.

Here's to a beautiful soul and his guitar