OUR
History
A few words about sIMNIKIWE SONDLO,
The Founder
Simnikiwe Sondlo is a pioneering South African entrepreneur and cultural advocate, best known as the founder and owner of Niki’s Oasis Jazz Restaurant in Johannesburg’s Newtown precinct. Established in 1995, just a year after South Africa’s first democratic elections, Niki’s Oasis quickly became a cornerstone of the city’s jazz scene and a vibrant cultural hub. Sondlo envisioned the venue as more than just a restaurant—it was to be a space where jazz, heritage, and community could come alive
Under her leadership, Niki’s Oasis has hosted both emerging and renowned artists, including Siya Makhuzeni, Lira, Ezra Ngcukana, Bra Victor Ntoni, Feya Faku, Stanley Jordan, and Kenny Garrett . The venue is also known for its support of South African visual artists, displaying and selling works by local painters and sculptors.
Beyond the restaurant, Sondlo founded the Newtown Jazz and Heritage Festival, aiming to revitalize the area’s cultural vibrancy and provide platforms for both legends and upcoming talents . Her dedication to the arts has made Niki’s Oasis a beloved institution in Johannesburg’s cultural landscape.
“Niki’s Oasis has endured because of our unwavering commitment to being more than a restaurant. We’ve created a cultural institution rooted in jazz, heritage, and community.”
