20 May 2026

Afro jazz icon Shanti Lo is marking 25 years in the music industry with a Legacy in Music event billed for May 30. 

The event, which will take place at Botswana Craft will feature celebrated Afro jazz artiste Lebo KM as well as A Re Yeng hit vocalist Galaletsang Phutietsile for a day of distinct blends of African rhythms ranging from Afro pop, Afro jazz and Afro soul, showcasing vocal style and prowess from 12 noon until late.

For Shanti Lo, 25 years in the music industry marks a deeply personal journey characterised not only by success, excellence, resilience, evolution and cultural impact, but also by grief, endurance and transformation.

From as early as 2001, when he heard his song playing on radio for the first time, to scooping the Jazz Album of the Year award in 2012, Shanti Lo has remained a consistent and influential voice, bridging generations through music rooted in authenticity while evolving with contemporary sounds over the years.

However, somewhere along the way, the jazz maestro recounted the loss of close friends, managers and supporters, including former Botswana president Festus Mogae and media personality Kgomotso Tshwenyego, with whom he worked as a judge on My Star Talent Show in 2014.

“Amidst these many losses, we still remain here, honouring the past while embracing the future,” said Shanti Lo.

For his part, Shanti Lo’s music producer, Daniel Njoronga, said the concert would offer an in-depth view of the developed artiste Shanti Lo and how he has become the class-act performer he has always been.

Commenting on the use of advanced technology such as artificial intelligence, Njoronga advocated for originality in the music-making process, arguing that producing music in real time while collaborating with human counterparts is what gives authentic meaning to artistry.

He also emphasised the importance of keeping live concerts alive, noting that the physical interaction between artistes and audiences during performances surpasses the experience of listening to music through phones or digital platforms.ENDS