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You’re going to want front-row seats for this one.
Two of South Africa’s most distinctive musical voices will finally share a stage.
Vusi Mahlasela and Guy Buttery will perform their first-ever live double bill this October, bringing more than two decades of musical friendship to the Schlesinger Theatre at Michaelhouse in the KZN Midlands.
The friendship started in 2006, when Buttery contributed guitar and mandolin to Mahlasela’s album Naledi Ya Tsela, which also featured Dave Matthews.
A decade later, Mahlasela returned the favour, lending his unmistakable vocals to two tracks on Buttery’s self-titled 2016 album.
Now, another 10 years on, the pair are taking their musical relationship to the stage for the first time.
Meet Vusi Mahlasela
Known affectionately as ‘The Voice’, Vusi Mahlasela is one of South Africa's best-known singer-songwriters and poets.
Raised in Mamelodi, Mahlasela taught himself guitar and began performing at an early age.
His career includes performing at Nelson Mandela's 1994 inauguration, international collaborations with artists including Dave Matthews, Sting, Paul Simon, Josh Groban and Taj Mahal, and a recording deal with ATO Records.
He has released nine albums and received numerous honours, including a South African Music Awards Lifetime Achievement Award, two honorary doctorates, and the National Order of Ikhamanga.
As author Nadine Gordimer once put it: “Vusi sings as a bird does, in total response to being alive.”
Meet Guy Buttery
Guy Buttery is an internationally acclaimed South African acoustic guitarist, composer and multi-instrumentalist whose music combines intricate fingerstyle guitar with African and global influences.
He became the youngest nominee in South African Music Awards history at 18, earning nominations for Best Newcomer and Best Instrumental. He has since won two SAMAs, multiple Ovation Awards, and the 2018 Standard Bank Young Artist Award.
Buttery has performed internationally and collaborated with artists including Dave Matthews, Jethro Tull, Salif Keita, Kaki King, Jon Gomm and, of course, Mahlasela. His work has also been performed with the 52-piece KZN Philharmonic Orchestra.
From studio collaborations to the stage
The upcoming performances will combine solo sets from both musicians with collaborative performances, giving audiences the chance to hear their individual styles before seeing how the two come together.
The duo has already produced a small but memorable body of recorded work. This time, however, no recording studio will stand between them and the audience.
The double bill will begin with three performances in Cape Town before moving to the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, where the pair will perform on 24 and 25 October.
What you need to know
- Dates: Saturday, 24 October | Sunday, 25 October 2026
- Time: Saturday 6pm | Sunday 2pm
- Location: Schlesinger Theatre, Michaelhouse, Balgowan, KZN Midlands
- Tickets: R250 via Quicket
- Age: Family-friendly
With only a handful of performances scheduled, these shows are a rare opportunity to see Mahlasela and Buttery sharing a stage for the first time.
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