His work is a unique fusion of jazz and regional African styles. Before he became known as a bandleader in his own right, Makhathini played alongside South African jazz greats like Zim Ngqawana and Carlo Mombelli. His debut with Blue Note in 2020, "Modes of Communication: Letters from the Underworlds," received international acclaim and introduced him to a broader global audience. Through his innovative compositions and the poetic subtlety of his play that earned him comparisons to Bill Evans and McCoy Tyner, Makhathini is a powerful new voice in contemporary jazz.