The East African Renaissance: Claudia Naisabwa Set to Storm Cape Town’s Inaugural WAV Festival

The East African Renaissance: Claudia Naisabwa Set to Storm Cape Town’s Inaugural WAV Festival

CAPE TOWN, South Africa—As the sun sets over the Atlantic seaboard on January 2, 2026, the historic Green Point Track will transform into the epicenter of a new cultural movement. The WAV Festival, an ambitious inaugural celebration of R&B and soul through a distinctly African lens, is not merely a concert; it is a manifesto of the continent’s rising soft power.

At the heart of this historic debut is a woman who has become the face of East Africa’s media boom: Claudia Naisabwa.

The 23-year-old Kenyan powerhouse has been tapped to co-host the festival alongside South African personality Olly Zondi. For industry insiders, the pairing is a masterstroke of Pan-African synergy, bridging the gap between Nairobi and Cape Town while signaling a shift in how African entertainment is packaged for a global audience.

The “Claudia Naisabwa Factor”: A New Era of Influence

In the high-stakes world of international entertainment, Naisabwa represents the elusive “Triple Threat” of the Gen Z era. A proud native of the Samburu people, her ascent from a local TV and radio presenter on NTV Kenya to an international emcee is a testament to what critics call the “Claudia Naisabwa Factor.”

It is a unique blend of “girl-next-door” relatability and high-fashion sophistication. Her influence transcends traditional broadcasting; she is as comfortable officiating national events for President William Ruto as she is driving viral trends on TikTok and Instagram. This versatility has made her a crucial bridge for luxury brands and music labels looking to tap into the “poptimism” of Africa’s fashionable youth.

“WAV Festival represents the future of African and diasporic R&B—soulful, forward-thinking, and deeply connected,” say the organizers at The Malachite Group and Africa Creative Agency. “Claudia brings an authentic East African perspective that perfectly embodies the global wave we are creating. She represents the rise of young African women owning the narrative.”

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A Convergence of Sound and Style

The festival’s lineup reads like a “who’s who” of contemporary soul and alternative sounds. Headlined by Mariah The Scientist, the roster includes:

• Global Heavyweights: Wale and Sasha Keable.

• The African Vanguard: Kelvin Momo, Shekhinah, Manana, and Langa Mavuso.

• Emerging Pioneers: Nanette, Kujenga, and Lia Butler.

For Naisabwa, this South African debut is a pivotal chapter in her self-styled “Africa TakeOver” Tour. Having already graced stages in Uganda and Tanzania—and with a highly anticipated hosting slot at the upcoming AFRIMA Awards in Nigeria—she is rapidly becoming Kenya’s premier entertainment export.

Beyond the Spotlight: Purpose-Driven Power

While her fashion choices and high-energy stage presence dominate the headlines, Naisabwa’s true impact lies in her social architecture. Through her CN Initiative, launched in 2024, she has mentored over 500 young women on mental health, body positivity, and creative entrepreneurship.

As the youngest nominee under 25 in the Forty Under 40 Africa awards, she uses her platform to champion girl-child education and anti-teenage pregnancy awareness, proving that the modern “Media Darling” must be as committed to social change as she is to the camera.

A Global Stage

Supported by global titans like Spotify, Don Julio, and Johnnie Walker, the WAV Festival is poised to redefine the “Festival Season” in the Southern Hemisphere. As fashionistas and music enthusiasts descend upon Cape Town this January, all eyes will be on the stage—not just for the melodies, but for the young woman from Nairobi who is proving that the future of African media is female, fierce, and undeniably global.

Content courtesy of BM Publications  & NFH Digital Team