The Zimbabwean duo of mbira maestro Mary Anibal, and the Guitar Sangoma Sylent Nqo have been announced among the performers for the 2026 Music In Africa Conference for Collaborations, Exchange and Showcases (ACCES). ACCES is Africa’s leading music industry gathering, bringing together the people shaping the future of the continent’s music business.
Joining some of the very best talents from across the continent, Mary Anibal and Sylent Nqo are part of a lineup that includes the likes of Sun-El Musician, The Joy, Akra, and Rorisang Sechele.
“I am absolutely excited and honoured to be representing Zimbabwe on a global stage at ACCES 2026 in Johannesburg. While this is not my first time representing the country internationally, this one feels particularly special because it will be my first time performing in South Africa with my full band,” shared Anibal in an interview with The Herald.
“It’s a significant milestone for me, and it reinforces that hard work and consistency will put you on the right stages at the right time,” she said.Anibal has built an impressive international profile over the years, performing at Expo 2020 Dubai in 2022 before appearing at Ethno Mozambique and Toronto’s Habari Africa Festival in 2023,” she went on.
Anibal has become a global ambassador for Zimbabwean music, gracing stages such as Zanzibar’s Sauti za Busara Festival, the Masa Festival in Abidjan, as well as Festival Abidjan Capitale du Jazz, and the African Bazaar Tour in Germany. Feats equally emulated by Sylent Nqo who has represented Zimbabwe at the World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) in Hollywood, and graced platforms such as the Standard Bank Joy Of Jazz Festival.
The 2026 edition of ACCES will run from 28 to 31 October in Johannesburg, South Africa.
