URBAN SOUNDS South Africa’s No.1 Music & Entertainment Magazine
Black x DBNzD
Saudi Descendents Invest In Dreams
The Fugard Theatre
21 Fleur du Cap Award Nominations
I Was Born To Speak
DJ SBU www.urbansoundsmagazine.co.za
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Contents Regulars & Features URBAN NEWS Black & DBNzD - Investing In Dreams Naville D - Nominated for a Grammy
URBAN EXCLUSIVE DJ Sbu - I was born to speak Mishell Ndegeocello - Who is he...?
URBAN FASHION Elppag Clothing
URBAN PICTURES Gauteng Film Commission Safe Bet - Can big losers win?
URBAN REVIEWS Happiness is a four letter word
URBAN MUSIC Sisa Dube - South Africa’s hidden gem
URBAN BIZ Careers in film scoring
URBAN LIVE CTIJF - Grandest Africa’s gathering
URBAN REACHOUT Vusi Mahlasela Music Development Foundation www.urbansoundsmagazine.co.za
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NOTE FROM THE
Publisher
South Africa's No.1 music and entertainment magazine published and owned by MME Group. The magazine aims to address the ever challenging issues of musicians and independent record companies. Urban Sounds Magazine serves as an edutainment guide for musicians and music lovers, it's covers entertainment industry news, artist profiles & music reviews, book reviews & movie reviews, television music shows, music venues, concert & festival news, live performances & live shows, music academy institutions,
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people behind the music, label executives, record producers, composers, sound engineers, roadies and etc. while giving respect to music veterans and legends that paved the way in sustaining and growing the culture of music in South Africa. Magazine's regular content includes profiling emerging and established musicians, latest gadgets and apps that supports the creation and distribution of music, explores innovative ways to market and promote our music such as digital space. The magazine features a law expert that will give advice on music
licensing, copyright and publishing as well as recording, marketing and distribution contracts. The magazine also focuses on music academy and careers available in the music industry. Urban Sounds also specializes in entertainment art and music development, their aim is to provide an accessible, affordable and sustainable community based platform which will respond to the needs of emerging and established artists in all genres to ensure that they are developed to the level of marketing and economical viable professionals.
Msizi Mavundla Publisher & Editorial Director Email: msizi@urbansoundsmagazine.co.za Tel: 011 038 8698 | Cell: 083 312 7061
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COMPANY STRUCTURE Management Mr Msizi Mavundla Chief Executive Officer (MME Group) Publisher & Editorial Director Email: msizi@urbansoundsmagazine.co.za
Subscription Tel: 011 038 8698 Cell: 074 446 0003 Email: subscribe@urbansoundsmagazine.co.za
Ms Palesa Williams Senior Editor Email: palesa@urbansoundsmagazine.co.za
General Enquiries Tel 011 038 8698 Email: info@urbansoundsmagazine.co.za
Mr Thabiso Gamede Marketing & PR Manager Email: thabiso@urbansoundsmagazine.co.za
Contributors Invest In Dreams Vadigo Productions Elppag Clothing Christian Art Media
Mr Ayanda Mlambo Advertising Sales Manager Email: ayanda@urbansoundsmagazine.co.za Mr Akhona Mafa Advertising Sales Executive & Liaison KZN Email: akhona@urbansoundsmagazine.co.za Ms Sthandwa Peggy Mntambo Advertising Sales Executive Email: peggy@urbansoundsmagazine.co.za Ms Lindiwe Mthombeni Advertising Sales Executive Email: lindiwe@urbansoundsmagazine.co.za Advertising Tel: 011 038 8698 Cell: 072 988 3349 Email: advertise@urbansoundsmagazine.co.za
URBAN SOUNDS MAGAZINE ISSN NO: 2224-512X Is owned and published by Msizi Mavundla Entertainment Physical Address The Business Place 58 Marshall Street Marshalltown Johannesburg 2001 P.O. Box 62577 Marshalltown 2107 Tel: 011 038 8698 Fax: 086 240 5366 Email: info@urbansoundsmagazine.co.za Website: www.urbansoundsmagazine.co.za Msizi Mavundla Entertainment t/a MME Group Reg: 2011/077963/23
COPYRIGHT Urban Sounds Magazine is published by Msizi Mavundla Entertainment. All rights reserved. Contributions welcomed. All due care will be taken with material submitted, but the magazine and publishers cannot be held responsible for loss or damage. They reserve the right to edit, amend or alter material in any way deemed necessary. All the opinions expressed in the magazine are not necessary those of the editor or the publisher of the Urban Sounds Magazine.
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Urban Live
The Cape Town International Jazz Festival is the flagship event for the leading events management and production company espAfrika, which has staged and produced several world-renowned events. Affectionately referred to as “Africa's Grandest Gathering�, the Cape Town International Jazz Festival is the largest music event in sub-Saharan Africa. The Cape Town International Jazz Festival, now preparing for its 17th year, is an annual event. It is famous for delivering a starstudded line up featuring international and local artists in the jazz and jazzrelated genres. This proudly South African event is hosted at the Cape Town International Convention Centre each year on the last weekend of March or the first weekend of April. The festival boasts multiple stages with over forty artists performing over two nights. The festival hosts an excess of 37, 000 music lovers over the two show days and is combined with the CTIJF Sustainable Training & Development programme www.urbansoundsmagazine.co.za
that aims to uplift and educate the youth. The 17th Cape Town International Jazz Festival, announced an exciting allstar line-up of artists that are set to deliver an exceptional and unforgettable live music experience in 2016. The artist announcement for the festival, popularly known as 'Africa's Grandest Gathering,' that will take place on 1 and 2 April 2016 features the international 3x Grammy-
saxophonist Mark Turner, jazz and R&B vocalist Lizz Wright, santoor and classical artist Rahul Sharma performing with jazz saxophonist George Brooks and jazz pianist Roberto SOLO Fonseca and super group Jazz Attack ft. Peter White, Rick Braun and Euge Groove. Shining a light on homegrown talent, the South African artists announced for CTIJF 2016 include awardwinning jazz pianist Afrika Mkhize ft. Eddie Parker, 3x SAMA winners Mafikizolo ft. Tsepo Tshola, top-selling local phenomenon Nathi with special guest Vusi Nova rising songbird Tribute 'Birdie' Mboweni, SAMAnominated pop sensation Muzart performing with award-winning hip hop artist Khuli Chana, South Africa's leading jazz bassist Benjamin Jephta Quintet, Mbokodo Award 'Women in Jazz' winner Thandi Ntuli, Cape Town favourites Top Dog, and introducing the exciting new music experience of Tumi Mogorosi and Project ELO.
nominated soul songstress Angie Stone, Grammynominated jack swing trio SWV, 3x solo bassist awardwinner Victor Wooten, singer-songwriter, rapper and bassist Meshell Ndegeocello, Grammynominated afro-blues duo Amadou & Mariam, instrumental jazz trio BADBADNOTGOOD, tenor
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Urban News
The Fugard Theatre
receives 21 Fleur du Cap
Theatre Award nominations!
The Fugard Theatre in Cape Town has received 21 prestigious Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards nominations for four of its hit productions produced in 2015 namely Cabaret, Orpheus in Africa, Bad Jews and West Side Story. The awards ceremony will take place this year at the Baxter Theatre on Sunday 20 March 2016. “We had so much fun last year amongst the long hours and these nominations are a delightful bonus. It was a year of firsts for us our first outing
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to the Artscape Opera House with our production of West Side Story and our first brand new, South African musical in Orpheus in Africa. I am thrilled for all our nominees!" says Executive Director Daniel Galloway. Orpheus in Africa, an original South African musical based on the true story of the African American impressario Orpheus McAdoo and his Virginia Jubilee Singers, was presented twice last year to great acclaim and has been honoured with no
less than ten nominations! Its creator David Kramer has received three nominations, for Best Director, Best New South African Script and Best Original Music Composition. Other nominations for Orpheus in Africa include Aubrey Poo and Lynelle Kenned for Best Performance by a Lead Actor in a Musical and Best Performance by a Lead Actress in a Musical respectively; for Dean Balie and Sne Dladla as Best Supporting Actors in a Musical; Jill Levenberg for www.urbansoundsmagazine.co.za
Urban News Best Supporting Actress in a Musical; Saul Radomsky for Best Set Design, and Birrie le Roux for Best Costume Design. Cabaret, the racy, sexy musical directed by Matthew Wild that played to sold out houses in Cape Town has four nominations - for Charl-Johan Lingenfelder as Best Lead
Actress in a Musical; Stephen Jubber for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical; Joshua Cutts for Best Lighting Design, and Conor Murphy for Best Set Design. Conor came on board to complete the design which Johann Engels began before his untimely passing. The South African premier
honours the history and memory of that vibrant community which was so savagely uprooted during the apartheid era. The 320-seater venue is located within the historic Sacks Futeran building with the renovated Congregational Church Hall in Caledon Street as its entrance.
actor in a Musical, for Shannyn Fourie and Michele Maxwell as Best Supporting Actress in a Musical and for Claire Taylor as Best Lead Actress in a Musical. West Side Story, the Fugard Theatre's first out-of-house production that was presented at the Artscape Opera House to rave reviews across the board, is nominated six times. Jonathan Roxmouth is nominated as Best Lead Actor in a Musical; Lynelle Kenned for Best Lead Actress in a Musical; Bianca Le Grange for Best Supporting
of Bad Jews, by Joshua Harmon and directed to great acclaim by Greg Karvellas and which played to 11 sold out weeks in Cape Town and 5 sold out weeks in Joburg, received a nomination for Saul Radomsky in the category of Best Set Design. The Fugard Theatre whose Founding Producer is Eric Abraham, is proud to bear the name of Athol Fugard, arguably South Africa's most significant and internationally acclaimed playwright. The theatre is proud too to be situated in District 6 and
District Six Kanala, David Kramer's musical tribute that celebrates the vibrant musical culture found in the streets, halls, hotels, clubs and bioscopes of 1960s District Six, is currently on the boards at the main theatre and is now booking to 2 April 2016. All booking is via Computicket or the Fugard Theatre box office on 021 461 4554.
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Sisa Dube
One of South Africa’s Hidden Gems “Our lives are filled with experiences: mine are mainly optimistic ones. Through my song writing and my singing I can share the deepest expression of my true self. The beauty of my homeland, the people that grace this land and my own life story are my inspiration. I aim to reach out and speak with you about all that surrounds us. My music is passionate, full of love and hope for all of us: motivating, uplifting. I hope it leaves you as positive minded too.” Sisa Dube is a song writer and singer living and working in South Africa. She is self-
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taught musician and therefore not easily constrained by genre. When working on her music she believes that the arrangement envelopes the mood of the words to define the moment in which they are written. Her music defines herself. Her music defines itself. Sisa is one of South Africa's hidden gems. The simplicity of her presentation and the depth of her song writing will become her recognition both in South Africa and internationally. Sisa's music is closely aligned to Afro-Pop; however she is just as creative and
inspirational with Gospel and soul music. My growth and this journey into the world of music could only be possible with the help of some talented and professional people who believe in my work. My first album, Uhlelo Iwempilo, was released early in 2015. Songs of note include: Abakomyeni Wam, Impumelelo Yesizwe, I Met A Man and Umayihlalela Wam. I am now working on my second album which is a more energizing club mix of my music.
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Urban Music
Urban News
“How Awesome Is Our God”
Neville D
Nominated for A Grammy Born in Cape Town, South Africa, Neville Diedericks begun honing his musical talents at an early age. From the age of 11 when Neville D picked up his first guitar and begun strumming on the piano keys his family and friends noticed his incredible gift and begun encouraging his musical career. Neville D's name is now known worldwide, a Dove Award
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Winner, and now a Grammy Nominated songwriter for the hit song “How Awesome Is Our God” which he co-wrote with his friend and music icon Israel Houghton. The song is on the brand new album Covered: Alive in Asia, performed by Israel Houghton & Yolanda Adams. For years Neville D has been an integral part of the multiple Grammy Award
winning artist Israel Houghton in his group Israel and New Breed. He has successfully toured the United States, Malaysia, Indonesia and Africa as a whole with this mega group. The thirtyseven year old and father of four has a huge admiration for musical legends that have contributed greatly to his sound, such as Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, Boys 2 Men, www.urbansoundsmagazine.co.za
Urban News
Jonathan Butler, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Whitney Houston, David Foster and Quincy Jones only to name a few. Neville D's incredible song writing ability has been www.urbansoundsmagazine.co.za
noticed by legends in the music industry, having written songs for Israel Houghton, Ernie Smith, Joyous Celebration, Khaya Mthethwa, Loyiso Bala, Jakkie Louw & Judith Sephuma. The incredibly moving track
penned by Neville D titled Rain Down will be featured in the new movie with rapper Ja Rule's titled “I'm in love with a church girl movie�. Another new project on the horizon produced by Israel Houghton
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Urban News
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and Neville D is New Breed Africa. This we will see the release of “Beauty Of Difference: Season 2, a night of worship”, the energetic and anointed full live concert recording featuring both languages, on DVD. Since the release of Beauty Of Difference Season 1 in 2014, Neville D journeyed on to unpacking what the title truly means, from the beautiful difference of race
helped shaped his musical career to join him on the stage for the recording of Season 2. Their voices feature on the Afrikaans tracks 'ek vertel Jesus'. Neville D chose to record an Afrikaans album, featuring 13 tracks, because of the music he was exposed to and loved as a child, “My kids are able to listen to my musical influences and the songs that moulded who I am today. Every song I chose to
unpacked and taught on, which will take grounding and wisdom from all walks. “The conference will culminate into a massive concert at the end of the week. By season 4, imagine the amount of songs on that set-list!” he says. A notable message has come through after the success of the Season 2 recording…people needs people. Neville explains “From the organization, to the
and colour, he believes Season 2 explores the beautiful differences in culture and generations. The most obvious expression of these themes can be found in the 75 member Beauty Of Difference Choir that Neville D put together. “Made up of men, women, boys and girls of all races and languages, there is no ways you cannot experience the beauty of difference there”. Focusing on the beauty of generational differences, Neville D could think of no better local influences that
sing meant something to me, not just a good beat. I've chosen tracks from my childhood and sprinkled a bit of 2000 flavour. My kids sing these songs now, and love them!” When asked who Neville's greatest critic is, he would have to say himself and his four kids. “I play the songs for my kids, if I don't hear them singing the hook afterwards, then I let it go.”, he laughs. Neville D foresees expanding The Beauty Of Difference into a conference where these themes can be
intricacies of the event itself… people might not admit that people need people, as it may sound like a weakness, I believe it to be the opposite. It becomes strength if you can acknowledge where your expertise ends and where theirs starts… another beauty of difference”. Neville D emphasizes for those wanting to succeed in any aspect of life, “always remain teachable…from God and people of all ages”.
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Urban News
Black x DBNzD Saudi Descendants Investing In Dreams Hailing from Durban eSkomplazi, Black & DBnzd is a Hip Hop duo/group better known for their classic rap album called “The Here Now Forever LP” that was released in 2012. The album's debut single was called Saudi Descendants a song that proved to be funky and edgy displaying massive technics and artistry.
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Black & DBNzd have written over 500 songs, they began their music career in 2004 as young local rappers with great aspirations, but it was only until later in 2005 that the two artists were recognized in the Durban Hip Hop scene and widely respected for their concepts, angles and well thought songs and
intellect wordplay. In the early days of their career they signed with Funkytigers Entertainment and DM Media where they composed and recorded most of their music. In 2009 the duo released a single titled “its Durbanized” which gained a massive recognition and respect from the masses. The song was featured on The Block 031
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Urban News Mixtape and has changed the spectrum of Durban Hip Hop. In 2011 Black & DBNzd cowrote a song called “Durban” for the Ethekwini Municipality's album titled Sounds 031. The song was and still recognized as the Durban City anthem and was released as the first single of the project. Inspired by the success of
Pinetown with recording, singing, performing and writing music. Black & DBNzd have performed on some of the biggest stages in South Africa, The Youth Festival, Moment of Truth, Arts Alive, Bat Centre Live Check, Original Material Awards, Throw Down, Ocean's Eleven Jazz & Poetry Sessions, MTN Durban Beach Festival
Hip Hop producers such as Bluetooth, Kali Beats, Teabag, Ngane, Kay Masta, 1nder, SimpleTwist, Small, SelectPlay, Noid, Gavin Volume3, Blaze Kicks and Geniso. Black & DBNzd are also working on their new separate projects titled Happy Endings Optional by DBNzD and National Kruga
their first project and the love for music DBNzd and Sibonakaliso Gumbi the group's childhood friend and manager started their own entertainment company “Invest In Dreams Pty Ltd”. The company is a medium to grow and help disadvantaged kids with their dreams in music, fashion, photography, etc. They built a recording studio called Saudi Descendants Studios that helps kids in and around
sharing the stage with the multi award winning artist Kabelo “Bougaluv” Mabalane, Soweto Arts festival with Prokid, Zakwe's album launch with F-eezy, Zuluboy and Kwesta, they were placed 2nd on the Sprite Hip Hop Tour Competition against 2000 contestants from KZN. The duo have also collaborated, created and composed music with the likes of Abdus, Zakwe, Kwesta and have also worked with well know KZN
by Black, they are now Brand Ambassadors of Rappers Without Borders and are endorsed by Elppag Clothing Brand. Also making waves it's their new smashing hit single titled “Look At My” produced by SimpleTwist. Their craft is based on storytelling, creating music from daily experiences and influences with a main focus of inspiring the youth.
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Urban Fashion
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Urban Exclusive
KO “ Son of a Gun�
Cashtime Tsotsi 4life
Rocking with the best @ the SXSW Ntokozo Mdluli, popularly known by his stage name, K.O, is a rapper who rose to prominence with the group
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Teargas after releasing their critically acclaimed debut album K'shubile K'bovu in 2006.
Teargas, which then had three members, K.O, Ntukza and Ma-E, later released three other albums titled, www.urbansoundsmagazine.co.za
Urban Exclusive Wafa Wafa (2008), Dark or Blue (2009) and Number Number (2012) (stylized as Num8er Num8er) which were all commercially successful. K.O co-runs a music and entertainment company called "Cashtime Life". K.O released the singles "Mission Statement", "Son of a Gun", "Caracara" and Skhanda Love preceding the release of his solo debut studio album, Skhanda Republic which was released on November 7, 2014. After recently touring Europe and appearing on legendary British hip-hop DJ Tim Westwood's show, K.O has now reached another career milestone by being enlisted to perform at SXSW in Texas. K.O has been one of South Africa's most consistent rap stars with his album Skhanda Republic selling more than gold and spawning multiple hit singles including Caracara – which was the first South African hip-hop video to reach a million views on YouTube and also scooping three of the 2015 South African Music Awards, The Best Collaboration, Record of the Year and Best Rap Album. The South by Southwest (SXSW) Conferences & Festivals offer the unique convergence of original music, independent films, and emerging technologies. Fostering creative and professional growth alike, SXSW is the premier destination for discovery. Year after year, the event is a launching pad for new www.urbansoundsmagazine.co.za
creative content. New media presentations, music showcases and film screenings provide buzzgenerating exposure for creators and compelling entertainment for audiences. Conference panel discussions present a forum for learning, business activity thrives at the Trade Shows and global networking opportunities abound. Intellectual and
creative intermingling among industry leaders continues to spark new ideas and carve the path for the future of each everevolving field, long after the events' conclusion. SxSW Music 2016 March 15-20 Austin, Taxes
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Meshell Ndegeocello Bassist, Rapper Singer, Activist “who is he and what is he to you�
Meshell Ndegeocello is an American singer-songwriter, rapper, bassist, and vocalist. Her music incorporates a wide variety of influences, including funk, soul, jazz, hip hop, reggae and rock. She has received significant critical acclaim throughout her career and has had ten career Grammy Award nominations. She has been credited for
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having "sparked the neo-soul movement." Named Michelle Lynn Johnson at birth, Ndegeocello adopted her surname at the age of 17, which she says means "free like a bird" in Swahili. Early pressings of Plantation Lullabies were stickered with the instructions. The spelling has changed in the hands of
record labels a few times during her career; however, the correct spelling of her stage name is now Meshell Ndegeocello. She has honed her skills on the D.C. go-go circuit in the late 1980s with the bands Prophecy, Little Bennie and the Masters, and Rare Essence. She unsuccessfully tried out for Living Colour's www.urbansoundsmagazine.co.za
Urban Exclusive
bassist position, vacated in 1992 by Muzz Skillings. Going solo, she was one of the first artists to sign with Maverick Records, where she released her debut album, Plantation Lullabies. This recording presented a distinctly androgynous persona. Her biggest hit is a duet with John Mellencamp, a cover version of Van Morrison's "Wild Night", which reached No. 3 on the Billboard charts. Her only other Billboard Hot 100 hit besides "Wild Night" has been her self-penned "If That's Your Boyfriend (He Wasn't Last Night)", which peaked at No. 73 in 1994. Also in 1994, Ndegeocello collaborated with Herbie Hancock on "Nocturnal Sunshine," a track for the Red Hot Organization's compilation album, Stolen Moments: Red Hot + Cool. The album, meant to raise awareness and funds in support of the AIDS www.urbansoundsmagazine.co.za
epidemic in relation to the African American community. She had a No. 1 Dance hit in 1996 with a Bill Withers cover song called "Who Is He (And What Is He to You)?" as well as Dance Top 20 hits with "Earth", "Leviticus: Faggot", "Stay" and the aforementioned "If That's Your Boyfriend.. Last Night)". Ndegeocello played bass on the song "I'd Rather be Your Lover" for Madonna on her album Bedtime Stories. Ndegeocello was also tapped, at the last minute, to perform a rap on the same song. This came after Madonna and producers decided to remove Tupac Shakur's rap (which he did while he and Madonna were dating in 1994), after he had criminal charges filed against him. Ndegeocello also performed a rap on Chaka Khan's single "Never Miss the Water", from the album Epiphany: The Best of Chaka Khan, Vol.
1, released in 1996. The song reached #1 on Billboard's Dance Club Play Chart and #36 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Chart. Her music has been featured in a number of film soundtracks including How Stella Got Her Groove Back, Lost & Delirious, Batman & Robin, Love Jones, Love & Basketball, Talk to Me, Tyler Perry's Daddy's Little Girls, The Best Man, Higher Learning, Down in the Delta, The Hurricane, Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom, and Soul Men. Ndegeocello has gone by the name Meshell Suhaila Bashir-Shakur which is used as a writing credit on some of her later work. She is one of the international artists featured on the 17th Cape Town International Jazz Festival “the Africa's Grandest Gathering� that will take place on the 1st & nd 2 April 2016.
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Urban Pictures
Gauteng Film Commission partners with film for offenders project
Greenlight District Project teaching film writing to offenders is a project of notfor-profit company the Greenlight Foundation, and has recently partnered with the Gauteng Film Commission. This is the third consecutive year that Greenlight District Project has been teaching inside Meredale Correctional
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Facility in Johannesburg, the prison commonly known as "Sun City". The project aims to build a country in which people like the inmates of Meredale can transform themselves and become productive members of society again. It offers a second chance of healing and integration to offenders and through them, to South Africa
as a whole. Greenlight District Project is an initiative of Pippa Dyer an actor, musician, publisher, author, film writer and now CEO of Greenlight Foundation NPC. "Writing, any writing, always starts with some scribbles on a piece of paper, and it is always an outpouring of emotions," says Dyer. www.urbansoundsmagazine.co.za
Urban Pictures "Sometimes the best work that people produce is when they are in pain." A transformative process for offenders Learning to write for film is part of a process of selfactualization, and improves the consciousness of students by developing critical thinking and
nature. For prison inmates, this process has many benefits, including: Helping them to feel productive and start believing that they might have a future in the world after their release, helping them to begin their own healing process and helping
society, but sadly they are often rejected by their families as well". Reconnecting offenders with families, society By teaching students to be vocal, to find their voices, the programme serves as a conduit for offenders to reach their families again. And by encouraging
emotional intelligence. A writer is forced to think about his or her characters in a rounded way, to "inhabit" the various influences on them, to understand what is really motivating them and through this, he or she arrives at a more balanced understanding of human
them to reflect on and reevaluate choices they have made in the past, to consider other choices they might have made, and to start thinking differently, more responsibly about their future. There is an important further, benefit. As Dyer notes, offenders "are obviously rejected by
offenders to find the creative output that best suits them - film, television, theatre, performance poetry, lyrics for music - it gives them a vehicle for communicating with society at large. In the Centre for Excellence (study block) where Greenlight District
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Urban Pictures Project teaches, there are approximately 500 offenders following various self-improvement programmes. Students taking Greenlight's courses have without exception proven to be hungry for knowledge and change. There are some accomplished graduate students among them and one aircraft pilot! Ways of supporting the project Greenlight District Project is in need of support both financially and in lecturers and resources such as text books, manuals, stationery and DVDs. Any individuals or businesses that are keen to assist in any way, or have ideas that could help in this regard, are urged to get in touch via pippa@iqu2film.co.za. This year they have in the region of 50 students, both male and female, all of whom are in need of support, they also aim eventually to film a selection of their stories, both as part of their training and with an eye to a potential festival of films written from "behind bars". We believe this is a unique opportunity, not only for the students' own growth, but for society at large to come to terms with some of its toughest, scariest issues and potentially add in a unique way to the flowering of South African film. Issued by: Greenlight District Project
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When FRANK (Wandile Molebatsi)'s lifelong friend KHAYA (Godfrey Thobejane) turns up with another money-making scheme, Frank is tempted into throwing in the entire boss's money into a fixed boxing match. Genre: Action Comedy Category: Fiction Feature Film Run time: 92 Minutes Director: Bonginhlanhla Ncube Cast: Wandile Molebatsi, Luthuli Dlamini, Godfrey Thobejane Safe Bet opens at Ster Kinekor Theatres nationwide and in Zimbabwe, Zambia and Namibia on 11 March 2016.
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On March 11, the South African filmic scene will add another classic to its repertoire of great cinematic productions with the nationwide release of Safe Bet. The film which stars Wandile Molebatsi, Luthuli Dlamini, Godfrey Thobejane and features surprise guest appearances from the likes of David Kau and Metro FM's top DJ, T-Bo Touch has already scooped numerous awards on the festival circuit having garnered wins at the Global Independent Film Awards, Silicon Valley African Film Festival, Bronzelens Film Festival, The Film Awards and the Queen City Film Festival. The action comedy arrives at a time when the local film industry is going through a transformation in terms of the nature of the stories currently being doled out to the public. The appetite for imaginative story telling that illustrates the diverse nature of our lives has never been this great. Safe Bet ticks all www.urbansoundsmagazine.co.za
the right boxes and it is the film to take imaginative script writing to the next level. The stellar cast brings to life the story of a down and out do-gooder Frank (Molebatsi) who is swayed to take the easy way out by investing in a fixed boxing match, the twist is he uses his boss's funds – which he must return before it's too late. Molebatsi is sublime in this role and is complimented splendidly by Godfrey Thobejane who plays his hapless and none the wiser best friend, Khaya. With Khaya being the mastermind in every endeavour to secure funds, the film's comedic recipe is set in motion and leads to an encounter with the villain of the piece, called Doc, played by Luthuli Dlamini. The South African film environment is yet to see a villain the calibre of Doc. Dlamini executes a delightful English accent as a learned thug with impeccable comedic timing. Stand-up
comedian David Kau also makes a hilarious and memorable appearance as an odd of putting assassin. “He pulled off an amazing accent that spiced up his dialogue delivery. I think he is worth watching over and over again. The same goes for Wandile Molebatsi and the amazing cast that we worked with on this film.” Safe Bet film offers thrill-aminute action with plots and twists aplenty to keep the audience guessing at every turn. There are elements of the caper style of filmmaking as popularized by Guy Ritchie blended in with home grown humour and ekasi sentiment. The film also stars well revered South African thespians, Jerry Mofokeng and Nandi Nyembe. Zintle Ncipa and Palesa Mofokeng star as treacherous dames, Makena and Lucy.
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Happiness
Urban Review
Is A Four Letter Word
Cynthia Jele grew up in a small border town in Mpumalanga. Her claim to fame was winning 1st and 4th prize in the 2008 BTA/Anglo-Platinum Short Story Competition. She also
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holds a BA in International Business from North Central College, Illinois, and is currently employed as a management consultant. She lives in the northern suburbs of Joburg.
Happiness is a FourLetter Word is Jele's debut novel that won the Best First Book category (Africa region) in the Commonwealth Writers' Prize 2011, as well as the 2011 M-Net Literary Award www.urbansoundsmagazine.co.za
Sons of Hip Hop in partnership with
Rappers Without Borders presents
The Four Elements of
Life&Hip Hop Emndeni Library Soweto 18 June 2016 |12h00 pm in the Film category. Nandi, Zaza, Tumi and Princess are four ordinary friends living life in the fast and fabulous lanes of Joburg. Suddenly, no amount of cocktails can cure the stress that simultaneously unsettles their lives. Four friends' lives seem to be crashing before them: Just as Nandi's final wedding arrangements are put in place, her ex-fiancé, a man who bankrupted her heart and bank account, makes a re-appearance. Zaza, the “trophy wife”, waits for the day that her affair comes to light and her husband gives her a one-way ticket back to the township. A stranger shows up at Tumi's doorstep, claiming to be pregnant with her husband's child... and Princess, a feisty feminist, meets Theo, a Zimbabwean painter who seems to push all the right buttons. When she falls pregnant, however, Theo goes AWOL, with half her belongings. Think Sex and the City, Sandton . . . A re-edition of the 2010 prizewinning novel to coincide with the film starring Khanyi Mbau, Renate Stuurman and Mmabatho Montsho, perfect for lovers of chick lit. www.urbansoundsmagazine.co.za
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Urban Music
Sharing
Mama Africa
lagecy
Nomfundo Xaluva
New Brighton in South Africa is famous for its jazz artists and painters. The Port Elizabeth Township's colourful personalities have been captured on canvas by great painters like George Pemba. It was immortalized in song by Victor Ndlazilwana and his Jazz Ministers. The late soulful crooner sang about the place's vibrant and celebratory spirit in a song titled Ebhayi, a name the Xhosa people use to refer to Port Elizabeth. The country's greatest blues singer, Dolly Rathebe, was a resident of New Brighton after she left Johannesburg in the late 1950s and married Welcome Duru, a singer and
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composer whose tune, Wenyuk' Umbombela (The Black Train Rising), achieved worldwide fame through Miriam Makeba and Harry Belafonte in their 1965 Grammy Award-winning album, An Evening With Harry Belafonte & Miriam Makeba. Duru's house on Mendi Road was a stopover for international superstars like Percy Sledge and Stella Starr. Nomfundo Xaluva is a contemporary sparkling vocal talent with a passion for African classics. Her love of New Brighton has inspired her second album, From.Now.On. It's a tribute to the spirit of Miriam Makeba and the Skylarks, the vocal
trio Makeba performed and recorded with in the late 1950s just before she went into exile. The group consisted of Mary Rabotapi, Mummy Girl Nketle and Abigail Kubheka, all remarkable singers in their own right. “I had known Miriam Makeba as a great singer but I really got involved with her music when I decided to write a master's thesis on her music at the University of Cape Town,” Xaluva recalls. “The topic was an analysis of the musical style of Miriam Makeba. I first became aware of the power of her music when I listened to her 1966 album titled Live at Bern's Salonger, Stockholm, Sweden. Songs like Mayibuye, Mbube and Oxam left a lasting impression on my mind.” Xaluva says the reason for making the album was about sharing Mama Africa's musical legacy with contemporary audiences and hopefully to give them a taste of the ethos behind her music. “The DVD version of that album clearly illustrated her vocal power and stage presence. By the time I www.urbansoundsmagazine.co.za
Urban Music decided to write my masters, I knew exactly how I wanted to approach the tribute album.” Xaluva says she was also interested in Makeba the jazz singer, although like most musicians the late vocalist distanced herself from the label. “She preferred to be known as a singer from
of these questions. Another challenge Xaluva faced was the fact that the university archives didn't have enough Makeba records, but the authorities were gracious enough to import the music on her behalf so that she could complete her research. She achieved her masters in 2009.
It retains the authenticity of the 1957 tune. Ebhayi was originally composed and recorded by Victor Ndlazilwana, an influential but woefully neglected figure in South African jazz. He was blessed with an amazing soulful voice and a gift for writing catchy songs that have since
South Africa whose music was mainly about life in her homeland. But I wanted to know how much jazz nuance she incorporated in her repertoire. My thesis was interrogating whether she was a jazz singer based on her repertoire or stylistically.” Makeba died in November 2008 when Xaluva was waiting for answers to some
Her album opens with the self-penned Spirit, a beautiful jazzy number that poignantly captures her Xhosa roots. It features praise poet Jessica Mbangeni. She then gets to the essence of the album with Kutheni Sithandwa? (What's Wrong, My Love?), an arrangement of a Xhosa folk tune by Makeba and the Skylarks. Xaluva's version is true to the original recording.
become jazz standards. “When I first heard this song, I was captivated by its vibey and easygoing style,” says Xaluva. “It reminded me of the famous Mendi Road in New Brighton, a neighbourhood I know very well because I was born and raised there. But it was not a Victor Ndlazilwana original. It was a cover version by Zamo Mbutho of Amaryoni,
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Urban Music
and it was important for me to confirm copyright of the song,” she recalls. “All that Mbutho knew about the song at the time was that it was taught to him by (the late bass player and arranger) Victor Ntoni. “One day I was singing it during a live performance. I was sharing the stage with Gloria Bosman when she unwittingly confirmed that it was a Ndlazilwana song. I was truly relieved.” Amaxesha Osizi (Sad Times) is an old Xhosa hymn that was composed by Gladson Sidyiyo and popularised by Blue Notes drummer Louis Moholo in his 1968 Spirit Rejoice album. Nomfundo Xaluva (second from left) gets together with Dorothy Masuka, Thandi Ntuli and Abigail Kubheka. Oxamu, Mayibuye and the self-penned Medley (Mazi/The Heritage Blues) underscore the
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essence of this album as a tribute recording for Makeba. “The album title, From.Now.On, is loosely based on the concept of where I come from in terms of musical heritage paying tribute to the masters of South African jazz with some traditional standards reworked to fit a more modern context,” says Xaluva. “Then music that represents where I am now as a beneficiary and custodian of that rich heritage and how 'old' music continues to shape and inspire the way we write songs. Then finally how we carry and pass on the legacy. It's an acknowledgement of identity through music and how one must always remember where they come from.” Xaluva is clearly one of the gifted musicians of her generation and an artist with the creativity and imagination
to take South African music to another level. But she is modest about her abilities. “My performances are basically about transferring the talent into a skill. The gift is the ability to touch the audiences and I'm grateful that I am able to achieve that.” Born into a musical family, Xaluva was introduced to piano-playing by a maternal grandfather when she was 12. After completing matric, she enrolled at UCT for a bachelor of music in jazz studies in 2003. She completed her master's degree based on the music of Mama Afrika (voice and dissertation) from the same institution in 2009, where she graduated with distinction. Her interest in recording the music of South African pioneers was evident when she released her first album, Kusile (Universal Music, 2011), which featured South African saxophonist Winston Mankunku Ngozi's jazz classic, Yakhal'inkomo. It earned her an award for Best Urban Jazz Album at the 2012 Metro FM Music Awards. Xaluva regards the achievement as one of her highlights, particularly for a debutante. Other highlights include sharing the stage with Sibongile Khumalo and opening for four-time Grammy Award-winning American jazz singer, Dianne Reeves, at Montecasino in 2011. Her latest album has been nominated for a Metro Award. By: Sam Mathe (African Independent)
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Cover Story
DJ SBU an epitome of popular culture described by some people as a philanthropist
Sibusiso Leope (born May 28, 1979 in Thembisa), also known as DJ Sbu and believed to be Mzekezeke, is a South African kwaito artist. He has never admitted in public that he is indeed Mzekezeke. He has recently founded his own
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energy drink called Mofaya. The entrepreneur has just clinched a show on CNBCA Africa in collaboration with Forbes Africa called "Kicking doors with Sbu Leope" He is the co-owner with Thembinkosi Nciza of TS
Records and a former television presenter on Friends Like These. Mzekezeke received the awards for artist and song of the year, for "S'guqa Ngamadolo" at the 2003 South African Music Awards. www.urbansoundsmagazine.co.za
Cover Story
Sbusiso Leope, also known as DJ Sbu, was born in May 1979 (36) and is now a successful businessman, record label owner, TV presenter and club and radio jock. He's worked on some of the most influential radio stations in the country such as YFM, Ukhozi FM and Metro FM. An only child, DJ Sbu matriculated from the Central Secondary School in Pretoria in 1993. He then went on to study sound engineering at African Media University and also studied electrical engineering at Technikon Witwatersrand. DJ Sbu began his broadcasting career in 1998 at the community radio station, Tembisa Info Radio, where for 18 months he voluntarily produced and presented the weekend show. Two years later, he joined the popular radio station YFM, where he produced and presented a weekend slot called Beauty and the Beast with Angela Ludekon. His popularity grew so much on the station that in 2005 he was given his own primetime slot called Y-Lens. In 2007, DJ Sbu left YFM and went on to host the breakfast show on Ukhozi FM. He returned to YFM after a year and left again to join Metro FM in 2010. www.urbansoundsmagazine.co.za
Many critics have said DJ Sbu's success is attributed to the fact that he mixes kasi lingo (slang) and English in his shows making them an open platform which his listeners can relate to. He also does a lot of PR and is visible to his audience by doing things that endear them to him. DJ Sbu started his record label TS Records with businessman TK Nciza which promotes some of the best musicians in country including afro-pop sensation Zahara, Lungelo and Nhlanhla Nciza. The motivation behind starting the label was so that black people from disadvantaged backgrounds could be represented. The entrepreneur has also ventured into other aspects of production. He was the host of a reality game show called Friends Like These on SABC1. Today he is the chairperson of the Sbusiso Leope Education Foundation, which has been responsible for uplifting many pupils from underprivileged schools in South Africa. He also became a best-selling author of his latest book, Leadership 2020, which features personal accounts of various African leaders and their journeys in becoming the leaders that they are today. he was named as one of
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• GQ's Best Dressed Male 2008/2009 • Most Googled Celebrity according to • •
• • •
•
• • •
Africa's 100 most influential people and tipped by Forbes as one of 13 Africans to look out for. He was also named South Africa's role model of the year at FSC Deloitte Future Leaders Awards 2013. President Jacob Zuma wrote the foreword to his book and was handed out to the top performers of the 2013 class to motivate them to make their own success. DJ Sbu continues to inspire a generation of hopefuls from disadvantaged backgrounds with his enthusiasm, hard work and wisdom. Awards and Honours • Nomination for Forbes Africa Person of the Year 2013 • Future Leaders Awards 2013 Role Model of the Year • 1 of Mail & Guardian's 200 Young South Africans in 2013 • Winner of MTN SAMA Song Of the Year 2002,2003,2004,2007 & 2012 • Winner of Best Breakfast Radio Show on Ukhozi FM (7 million Listeners) 2007
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• • • • • • • • • • •
Zeistgeist Report 2008/2009 First South African artist to Host of Channel O Music Awards First South African to host a TV Show for 10 Successful Years (Friends Like These) Most Influential Celebrity 2008/2009/2010/2011 Ekurhuleni's Best Role Model For Tembisa township since 2003 Made Top 10 personality brands in the Sunday Times Top Brand Awards alongside mining mogul Patrice Motsepe and SA President Jacob Zuma 2009 Voted Number 3 Most Influential Person after Nelson Mandela, Thabo Mbeki 2010 Voted Sunday Times Coolest Brand of 2012 Coveted Award for Youth Ambassadors 2012 Had one of the largest Facebook radio group in South Africa over 100 000 members Has over 180 000 Twitter Followers Masupatsela African Ambassador for Youth Nike Ambassador UNICEF Ambassador Proudly SA Ambassador Corporate Entrepreneurship Structure Shareholder/Director of TS Records Founder of the Sbusiso Leope Education Foundation (SLEF) Shareholder/Director of Blaque Gemini (Pty) Ltd Executive Chairman of Leadership 2020 (Pty) Ltd Founder of Mofaya Energy Drink
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Urban Biz
Careers in film scoring What is a movie score?
A film score (also sometimes called background score, background music, film music or incidental music) is original music written specifically to accompany a film. Film Composer A film composer scores music to accompany a motion picture for film or television. This could include dramatic underscore as well as popular songwriting. The traditional role of a film composer is to provide the orchestral dramatic underscore, and only more recently has the popular soundtrack begun to stand on its own. Music Editor A music editor is responsible for mixing and synchronizing the music with the film and mixing the music with the film soundtrack. The music editor must be versatile and possess a great musical sensitivity, a keen ear for balance, and an awareness of how music
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can make or break a dramatic scene; all combined with knowledge of the special technology used in synchronizing music tracks to film or tape. Programmer (Sequencing) The programmer utilizes music sequencing software and sometimes notation software to produce MIDI keyboard/synthesizer tracks for inclusion in the film score. Other times, a programmer will sequence a piece of music or a composition by this means, which will allow the composer and music editor an opportunity to hear the composition before it reaches the scoring stage. This is considerably cheaper than hiring a full orchestra and enables the composer to identify errors in the score before it gets to the scoring stage. Orchestrator The film music orchestrator is responsible for writing scores for an orchestra, band, www.urbansoundsmagazine.co.za
Urban Biz
choral group, individual instrumentalist(s), or vocalist(s). Also, an orchestrator transposes music from one instrument or voice to another in order to accommodate a particular music instrument, musician, or group. Often, the orchestrator will also be the conductor during the film scoring sessions. Music Supervisor (Theme Specialist: Film/TV) The film producer hires the music supervisor. He/she may act as an A&R scout to find and license popular songs for inclusion as theme or background music within the film (called source music) and/or selecting songs for the soundtrack. Sometimes the music supervisor may be in charge of only the songs for the soundtrack, and other times he/she may be in charge of all the music involved with a film, including hiring and supervising the film composer for dramatic scoring. Contractor A film/TV music contractor is responsible for hiring the musicians and tending to all the necessary contract obligations through AFM (American Federation of Musicians). It is in the contractor's best interest to procure the best talent possible while working within his/her budget guidelines. www.urbansoundsmagazine.co.za
Film Arranger (Adaptor) The film arranger provides musical arrangements of a musical composition or song for film and/or TV usage. The arranger determines the voice, instrument, harmonic structure, rhythm, tempo, and other aspects of a song or composition, based on the conductor or film producer's specifications. Training in music theory, orchestration, composition, and harmony is required. An arranger should have experience as a copyist, writing music, and playing one or more instruments. Film Conductor A film conductor's main duty is preparing an orchestra or ensemble for the finest performance possible in a film scoring session. This includes preparing the musicians for the sessions via rehearsals, and all other business affairs related to leading an orchestra. A conductor should have a strong ability on an instrument, in-depth musical knowledge, the ability to sight read, and great interpersonal and leadership skills to interact with film composers, studio orchestra players, music editors, orchestrators, and copyists. During a scoring session, the conductor is able to hear the comments of the producer in the studio control room and
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Urban Biz
direct the musicians/orchestra accordingly. Often, the film composer or orchestrator will occupy the role of conductor, as well. Copyist (Music Preparation) In the film music industry, a copyist's job is also called music preparation. The copyist transfers musical parts from a score onto individual parts. This person must have strong notation and transposition skills, training in music theory, attention to detail, and neat and accurate copy work. Assistant to the Composer An assistant to the composer acts as a liaison between the composer and various other entities in the film, television, and music industry. The main responsibility for the assistant to the composer is to allow the film composer time to do what he does best, which is composing. This is usually an entrylevel position and provides a unique perspective on the filmmaking process. Sound Designer (Synthesis Specialist) A sound designer designs synthesized music and sound effects to complement and aid the music score.
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Sifiso Makalisa Joburg based Sifiso (a.k.a Tich) is a talented performer and composer with a diverse composition style. He has performed on stage and recorded with the likes of Judith Sephuma, Selaelo Selota and Jimmy Dludlu. He began classical piano lessons at the age of 7 and later studied Jazz Composition and arrangement at the University of Cape Town. He also studied Film and TV music at Morley College in London(UK). His composition credits include music for brands such as Kelloggs, Snickers and Mica Hardware stores. Zethu Mashika Zethu Mashika is an award winning Film Score Composer specializing in Film scores, commercial music, title sequences and adverts. Zethu has been part of the music industry for 10 years and continues to make an impact in the South African Music Industry. Zethu is one of South Africa's youngest Black composers to single handedly score a feature film. Zethu has scored features such as Zama Zama and Skyf the Movie, as well as short films films namely Berea (Focus Features Africa FIrst PRoject), Expiry Date, Romance at wedding and Detour.
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Urban Reachout
Vusi Mahlasela Music Development Foundation
Vusi Mahlasela Music Development Foundation is a charitable cultural music organisation, which is committed to promoting and preserving indigenous African music in its diversity. This is achieved through a range of modern music development Programme. The school within the foundation is operating www.urbansoundsmagazine.co.za
under the name Vusi Mahlasela Music Academy whereby the curriculum is developed with the prominent University of South Africa (UNISA). The VMMDF is the initiative of award winning and internationally established South African recording artist Vusi Mahlasela. The
foundation was established in late 1998, and its Trust Fund was registered in 2000. The Foundation was registered as section 21. All the Tutors are incredible professionals who have established themselves in their own right and who are very committed to the organisation.
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The organisation intends to revive interest among South African musicians in playing and investing traditional African instrument for use in the recording. This includes instruments such as kora, mbira and marimba. They have developed a workable music training curriculum, which caters for intermediate, advance and special training of musicians who are interested in contributing
towards promoting African cultural music. The training academy is professionally run and managed and conducts a series of music workshops for the benefit of musicians. Workshops are facilitated by established musicians and enhanced by the contribution of visiting overseas musicians and also conduct several development projects which include outreach projects that are carried out for the benefit of school children in townships and rural areas. This is done in association with the Department of Education of the relevant provinces. The academy specializes in Music Theory, Music Practical, Aural General Musicianship, Music Rights, Music Workshops and Voice Coaching. The foundation has developed a curriculum with the University of South Africa. UNISA has procured the necessary accreditation
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of the foundation courses with SAQA (South African Qualification Authority) towards degrees and diploma studies. VMMDF hosted a number of events since inception in 2001 which include the following: African Nights, Standard bank Joy of Jazz, FIFA 2010, and other open air live performances. After a worldwide critical and commercial success in 2006, 2011 and 2013, the fourth installment of Acoustic Africa's exhilarating journey focusing on the richness of the African traditions of voice and song. The 2016 Acoustic Africa will feature two beloved singers, Habib Koite and Vusi Mahlasela. Its marketing and outreach will advance the mission of Oxfam International to meet the social, environmental, and public health challenges present throughout Africa.
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