MAKHANDA, EC. SOUTH AFRICAN neo-soul singer Internet Athi electrified The Black Power Station audience on a particularly cold evening in Makhanda on the eight day of the 2026 iteration of the National Arts Festival.
A Cape Town-based independent artist who expresses storytelling in his lyrics, Internet Athi’s performance at the venue on the outskirts of the Eastern Cape town is part of the annual event whose schedule also includes fellow new acts such as the 2026 Standard Bank Young Artist Award recipient duo of Gabi Motuba and Ndumiso Manana – et al.
A contemporary musician in the mould of Nomvula hitmaker Nathi Mankayi, his appearance follows on his April 2026 debut album, Polymorphism, and ahead of his debut at the upcoming Standard Bank Joy of Jazz in Johannesburg – another big ticket event which is bound to edify to his promising credential within the local music scene.
A performer who commands impeccable stagecraft, the singer-guitarist wowed the audience with sing-along singles such as Wena, Nguwe, Undithembisile and Zama – which had the young female attendees hailing from different locations of South Africa singing along with joyful abandon. He also belted out Ngiyagodola, the Ringo Madlingozi – the artist he grew up listening to – hit, for good measure.
Born Athenkosi Cetyana in Khayelitsha, the young maestro has already shared stages with some of the country’s familiar acts such as Ami Faku, Langa Mavuso and the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra – among others.
At The Black Power Station, he was backed by the Gqebhera-based quartet of Curt Rix on trumpet, Elviro Vrolik on bass guitar, Thoba on drums and Mthokozisi on keys.
A University of Cape Town Computer Science studies dropout who briefly dabbled in tech focussing on Artificial Intelligence, Internet Athi’s music is rooted in his lived experiences – with his unusual name reflecting the online distribution of his music to connect with his fans.
At the similarly unusually named venue on an evening dedicated in honour of the late Madosini and during what has been billed as the longest week of the festival, Internet Athi held sway as he serenaded the appreciative multiracial crowd and even roved around with the mic to indulge it in partaking in the singing of some of his songs.
At the time of the publication of this reportage, the artist was scheduled for an encore appearance at the venue, for another promising memorable evening also featuring Andile Yenana.
The musician is but one of a plethora of performers at the 52-year old annual multi-disciplinary festival – initially started back in 1974 to celebrate the opening of the 1820 Settlers National Monument – who have been lined up to express their creativity and claim their places in folklore.
Top Image Jacob MAWELA (Internet Athi limned giving a salute during his performance in the National Arts Festival at The Black Power Station on the outskirts of Makhanda.)
