The groundbreaking WAV Festival, a bold new celebration redefining R&B and soul music through an African lens, debuts on January 2, 2026, at the iconic Green Point Track in Cape Town. This immersive one-day event—from noon until late—unites music lovers, culture enthusiasts, tourism, fashion, and digital creativity in a vibrant fusion of global sounds and African spirit.
Co-hosting the event are Kenya’s dynamic Claudia Naisabwa and prominent South African personality Olly Zondi (or Thandolwethu Zondi). Their partnership symbolizes East and Southern African unity while amplifying the festival’s themes of identity, creativity, and cultural connection.
At just 23 years old, the proud Samburu native has established herself as a multifaceted powerhouse: a captivating TV and radio presenter (currently on NTV Kenya and Nation FM), acclaimed events MC, actress, singer, content creator, and commercial artist.
Claudia Naisabwa has masterfully evolved her career, bridging traditional media with fashion, sports coverage (particularly basketball), content creation, entertainment, and broader media landscapes. Her niche defies conventional boundaries, seamlessly connecting genres, eras, demographics, and trends—embodying the vibrant, boundary-breaking spirit of Gen Z while resonating across generations in self-expression, empowerment, and cultural influence.
Her evolution across radio, TV, digital, commercial, and pop media has catalyzed poptimism, influencing a new generation’s approach to the music industry. She has built a reputation through viral TikTok dance videos and strategic sound placements in lifestyle reels on Instagram and Snapchat, popularizing mainstream sounds with exceptional skill.
Naisabwa’s high-energy event hosting has boosted the global visibility of Afrobeats and Amapiano, particularly among post-adolescent and fashionable young women—a demographic previously underrepresented in these genres. This is the acclaimed “Claudia Naisabwa factor.”
hed in 2024), Claudia empowers young Kenyan women via workshops on mental health, body positivity, creative entrepreneurship, and mentorship, while supporting girl child education through bursaries and anti-teenage pregnancy awareness—reaching over 500 participants and inspiring African creatives to use influence for social impact.
During and post-COVID, media outlets dubbed her “Kenya’s vibes ambassador” and a “media darling,” praising her approachable, girl-next-door relatability with modest, subtle, and sophisticated feminine appeal.
“WAV Festival represents the future of African and diasporic R&B—soulful, forward-thinking, and deeply connected,” said organizers from The Malachite Group and Africa Creative Agency. “Having Claudia Naisabwa as co-host brings infectious energy and an authentic East African perspective that perfectly embodies the global wave we’re creating. She’s representing the rise of young African women owning the narrative and elevating our culture on the world stage.”
The lineup features Mariah The Scientist, Wale (special guest), Kelvin Momo (special guest), Sasha Keable, Isaiah Falls, Shekhinah, Manana, Nanette w/ special guest Xowie, Kujenga, Lia Butler, Langa Mavuso, Yandani, and Flygerian, supported by partners including Don Julio, Johnnie Walker, Frequency, Spotify, Rosé All Day, Africa Creative Agency, and TMG.
Tickets are available now at wavfestival.com, with high demand for this anticipated inaugural event.
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