toumani diabatelatest news & developments
Powerful presence: Fatoumata Diawara performing at the CTIJF 2026. Photo: Armand Hough

Fatoumata Diawara channels ancestry and activism in Cape Town

Blending Malian heritage with high-energy pop, Fatoumata Diawara used the CTIJF stage to honour her roots and confront FGM, proving that heritage and modern activism are inseparable

  • Busi Lethole
8 min read
Until his death at 58, Diabaté graced many global, regional and national stages, performing with artists like Bassekou Sissoko, Youssou N’Dour and Ali Farka Toure.(Photo by Judith Burrows/Getty Images)

Toumani Diabaté: The king of the kora has played his last song

The legendary kora master left an indelible mark on West African music and cultural heritage

  • Des Erasmus
3 min read
Tributes: Malian musician Toumani Diabaté. Photo: Laurent Emmanuel/AFP

Mali loses a national treasure

Mali’s “king of kora” Toumani Diabaté died last Friday, 19 July, at the age of 58

  • Eyaaz
1 min read