Cape Town's Grand Arena is about to be transformed into the heartbeat of Africa as over 1 000 marimba players gather to make history, Cape town Etc reports.
On Saturday, 2 August 2025, an ambitious attempt to set a new Guinness World Record for the Largest Marimba Ensemble will take centre stage at GrandWest.
The current record of 505 players, set by Guatemala, is expected to be shattered as South Africa, along with participants from Zimbabwe, prepares to double that figure in a dazzling musical showcase themed United in Harmony.
This historic celebration is driven by Kiara Ramklass, founder of Marimba Jam, an organisation that has spent over a decade igniting the joy of marimba music in South African schools. From township classrooms to elite institutions, the sound of marimbas has become a powerful unifier.
'South African marimbas are tuned to C major, it's impossible not to feel joy when they play,' says Ramklass. 'This event isn't just about numbers it's about a collective spirit, crossing barriers of background and geography to create something extraordinary.'