World's Largest Marimba Ensemble, world record set in Cape Town, South Africa

August 13, 2025

World's Largest Marimba Ensemble, world record set in in Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town, South Africa--Marimba Jam, a group that promote music education, invited 1,276 young musicians from across South Africa and Zimbabwe to came together in Cape Town and play the percussion instruments together, setting the new world record for the World's Largest Marimba Ensemble, according to the WORLD RECORD ACADEMY.

Photos: 041online, Facebook/Marimba Jam

"Young musicians from across South Africa and Zimbabwe came together in Cape Town to break the Guinness World Record for the largest marimba ensemble, with 1,276 players," the UPI reports.

"Marimba Jam, the group that organized the world record attempt to help promote music education, said 1,276 students played the percussion instruments together at Cape Town's Grand West Arena on Saturday.

"The event took the Guinness World Record from the Marimbas por Guate group in Guatemala, which assembled 505 people to play marimbas together in 2021."

"Following our previous (un) successful attempt (Editor's note) in 2018, where 241 incredible women came together to set the record at Tyger Valley Shopping Centre, we’re returning with an even bigger and bolder vision. This year, we aim to gather a diverse group of participants from all walks of life to form a powerful and unified ensemble that will resonate far beyond just breaking a world record," the official website says.

"The 2018 event was not just about playing marimbas; it was a celebration of community, culture, and the strength of women. With participants ranging from young to old, from privileged to disadvantaged backgrounds, it became an unforgettable day of connection and empowerment. The collaboration with local communities, including the inspiring Gogo’s from Khayelitsha and Langa, further emphasized the unifying power of music.

"In 2025, we are looking to build on this legacy, bringing together participants from every corner of society to once again show the world the power of music to break barriers, build communities, and inspire change. With the collective energy of everyone involved, this record-breaking event will not only be a celebration of African music but also a tribute to the global spirit of unity and cooperation."

"The largest marimba ensemble consists of 1,177 participants and was achieved by Marimba Jam (South Africa) at Grand Arena, GrandWest in Cape Town, South Africa, on 2 August 2025," the Guinness World Records says.

"School students from across South Africa and Zimbabwe performed a medley of two songs - "Waka Waka" by Shakira and "Jerusalema" by Master KG, it lasted 8 minutes 58 seconds."

"Inspired to share her love of marimba, Ramklass started Marimba Jam in 2012 as a Grade 11 pupil wanting to make an active change to address the inequality in music education in her community," the News24 reports.

"Marimba Jam provides access to the psychological and social benefits that accompany the joy of playing in a marimba band.

"The project initially consisted of a week-long marimba workshop during the school holidays with 10 girls from Zimasa Secondary School in Langa, Cape Town, an under-resourced school."