Vusi Mahlasela and Guy Buttery have shared a musical connection spanning more than 20 years, one that has unfolded in remarkable decade-long chapters.
Now, that relationship takes its most significant step yet as the two internationally acclaimed South African artists come together for their first-ever live performances on the same stage.
These two acclaimed musicians will share the stage for the very first time in a highly anticipated double-bill concert celebrating more than two decades of musical friendship, collaboration and mutual admiration.
More info about Vusi Mahlasela and Guy Buttery’s relationship
The story began in 2006, when Guy Buttery contributed guitar and mandolin to Vusi Mahlasela’s album Naledi Ya Tsela, which also featured vocals from Dave Matthews. A decade later, Mahlasela returned the favour, lending his unmistakable voice to two tracks on Buttery’s self-titled 2016 album.
Now, another ten years on, the two artists reunite once again, this time not in a recording studio, but in front of live audiences for a special series of performances across South Africa.
Whether by design or coincidence, their collaborations have developed into something of a ten-year tradition. But this reunion is different.
For the first time, audiences will have the opportunity to experience Mahlasela and Buttery sharing a stage, performing together in real time and bringing their extraordinary musical chemistry to life.
For Guy Buttery, the opportunity carries particular significance. Mahlasela, affectionately known throughout South Africa as “The Voice,” is one of the country’s most treasured musical figures, an artist whose music has played an important role in South Africa’s cultural landscape for decades.
The performances will move fluidly between the individual and the collaborative. Both artists will perform solo selections drawn from their extensive catalogues before coming together for a series of duets and collaborative pieces, offering audiences a rare opportunity to experience two of South Africa’s most distinctive musical voices in direct conversation.
The result promises to be an intimate and dynamic meeting of styles: Buttery’s intricate, virtuosic fingerstyle guitar and global musical influences alongside Mahlasela’s soulful voice, poetic songwriting and deeply rooted South African folk tradition.
Although this tour marks their first time performing together live, Mahlasela and Buttery have already created a small but significant body of collaborative work.
Buttery’s guitar and mandolin feature on Mahlasela’s 2006 album Naledi Ya Tsela, including “Sower of Words,” featuring Mahlasela and Dave Matthews.
Mahlasela subsequently appeared on Buttery’s 2016 self-titled album, contributing vocals to “Werner Meets Egberto in Manaus” and “The Upper Reaches,” the latter also featuring Piers Faccini.
Their collaborations bring together two very different but complementary musical languages – Buttery’s highly technical acoustic guitar playing and expansive global influences with Mahlasela’s unmistakable voice and deeply expressive South African songwriting.
Vusi Mahlasela and Guy Buttery Tour Dates
The Vusi Mahlasela and Guy Buttery double bill will take place across two legs, beginning with three intimate performances in Cape Town before moving to the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands in October.
- 17 September 2026 – Holy Trinity Church, Kalk Bay – Get tickets HERE.
- 19 September 2026 – Slave Church, Cape Town – Get tickets HERE.
- 20 September 2026 – Salve Church, Cape Town – Get tickets HERE.
- 24 October 2026 – Schlesinger Theatre, Michaelhouse, KZN Midlands – Get tickets HERE.
- 25 October 2026 – Schlesinger Theatre, Michaelhouse, KZN Midlands – Get tickets HERE.
With only a handful of performances scheduled, these shows represent a rare opportunity to witness two of South Africa’s most accomplished and influential musicians sharing a stage for the first time.
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