NEFCISA
NEFCISA

The Music In Africa Foundation (MIAF) is proud of its partnership with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) as a Strategic Implementing Partner (SIP) for its Social Employment Fund (SEF). Through this collaboration, MIAF is running a national programme that is creating jobs, addressing skills gaps, and strengthening South Africa's creative industries — in line with the SEF's overarching goal to generate work for the common good and build community value through employment, social contribution, and inclusive economic participation. Operating under the banner NEFCISA (National Employment Facility for Creative Industries in South Africa), the initiative is recruiting and training participants, matching them with host organisations, and has already placed 1 500 workers across the country — surpassing its original target of 1 000. NEFCISA is delivered through a network of 20 host organisations spanning five provinces, who are actively hosting participants and contributing to work for the common good across South Africa's creative and cultural industries. Key Objectives: Support employment and entrepreneurship in the creative industries. Offer skills development and training programmes. Foster partnerships between public and private creative sectors. Promote South African creativity at both provincial and national levels Foster community development through social contribution.

ACCES
ACCES

ACCES Conference and Showcase Festival is Africa's leading music industry gathering, bringing together the people shaping the future of the continent's music business. Artists, entrepreneurs, executives, investors, policymakers and cultural leaders from across Africa and around the world come to ACCES to build partnerships, exchange ideas, discover talent and create new business opportunities. Since its launch in 2017, ACCES has become the continent's premier platform for professional exchange and music market development. Combining a high-level conference with a curated showcase festival, networking, exhibitions and industry programmes, ACCES offers a unique space where creativity meets business and where African music connects with the global industry.

Gender@Work
Gender@Work

Music In Africa Gender @ Work is a three-year training programme aimed at upskilling and increasing the participation of female professionals in the African music sector. Launched by the Music In Africa Foundation (MIAF) in April 2019, the programme is connected to the MIAF’s ACCES music conference – a pan-African event held in a different African country every year. This connection enables the programme to reach new participants in a different African country every year. The programme marks the beginning of a more concerted effort by the Foundation to support the participation and inclusion of women in all facets of its programmes and the music sector in Africa as a whole. Over the three years, the programme will aim to address gender imbalances in the sector through training, lobbying, facilitating knowledge exchange and dialogues that foster the interest of women. The broader objectives of the programme are to: Provide industry training for women on critical music industry skills, focusing on: Stage management Electronic music production and recording Music business management Technical knowledge Provide an opportunity for both professional and aspiring women to benefit from the Music In Africa network and its broad range of activities in 2019, 2020 and 2021. Provide a solution-based platform in the form of a round table at ACCES with a view to identify challenges, discuss opportunities and lobby for the interests of female practitioners. Offer participants the opportunity to benefit from programmes offered by MIAF’s partners. Increase access to educational materials. Integrate participants in the broader ACCES programme to maximise experience and exposure to the industry. Record and present training materials on the www.musicinafrica.net, including but not limited to tutorials, templates and other best-practice materials. Communicate women-based themes that support the initiatives and messages of the programme. MAIN TRAINING ACTIVITIES Training in first country (Ghana): In the first year, participants will be trained on all aspects of stage management by a team of experienced stage managers from 10 to 17 November 2019. The programme will offer robust classroom training as well as practical, hands-on training in which participants will also be given the opportunity to manage various aspects of the ACCES performance programme. Training in second country: The second training iteration will take place at ACCES 2020 when the programme will diversify its course to include music production lessons and training on other music business topics. A round-table platform will also be introduced to coincide with the ACCES programme. Training in third country: The third training iteration will take place at ACCES 2021 in a different country, offering an advanced course. HOW DO YOU GET INVOLVED?  As a participant, facilitator or trainer: The programme enrolls up to 12 trainees every year. All opportunities are advertised publicly on this website, and will be added to this page. Please keep checking this page for new calls (below under UPDATES & CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES). As a partner Please contact Claire Metais at [email protected]. APPLY The call for applications for 2020 will be announced soon. The Music In Africa Gender @ Work programme is made possible with the support of the Prince Claus Fund, Siemens Stiftung and Goethe-Institut.

Sound Connects Fund
Sound Connects Fund

For cultural and creative practitioners and organisations operating in southern Africa, access to funding remains a major challenge. The COVID-19 pandemic has also had a massive impact on government policy, spending and the economy in general, and has seen spending on culture being moved further down the list of priorities. Further, the cultural and creative industries repeatedly cite four main areas where investment is needed for growth, which are increased visibility, mobility including access to new markets, finance and support structures.

Instrument Building And Repair Project
Instrument Building And Repair Project

Experience the Vibrations African Instruments Exhibition online in 3D

News

Switchstance Recordings releases two Uganda-inspired tracks

12 Dec 2023 - 09:43

cc-img flag-img

Cologne-based music label Switchstance Recordings has released two tracks featuring collaborations by Ugandan artists Kagayi Ngobi and Otim Alpha.

Otim Alpha. Photo: Tim van Veen

The first offering is ‘They Do Not Listen’ by Fixed Error featuring wordsmith Kagayi Ngobi. “In a world where frustration and discontent simmer beneath the surface, Fixed Error’s latest offering brings to the forefront the searing anger that festers within communities grappling with political apathy and unresponsive law enforcement,” the label says. “Kagayi Ngobi’s incisive lyrics serve as a rallying cry, reflecting the unmet needs and grievances of marginalised voices in the ghettos. It’s a raw, unfiltered expression of the silent anger that resonates with those who feel neglected.”

Fixed Error said: “Anger is rising because the true needs of the people are not seen nor talked about, and all politicians spread is propaganda. This collaboration doesn’t hold back, highlighting the genuine frustration felt by those who have been marginalised for far too long.”

The single is an unapologetic street anthem that calls out those in power, urging them to address the plight of impoverished communities. It is a visceral and hard-hitting reminder that we must address the pressing needs of the marginalised in our society. Fixed Error’s music has always been a conduit for social change and this single is no exception. It’s a powerful reminder that the time for real change is now.

The second release is ‘Akwaki’, the brainchild of German production duo Ancient Astronauts and Ugandan artist Otim Alpha brought alive by the soulful vocals of Brazen Rule. The track marries the haunting melodies of the adungu, a traditional indigenous instrument from Uganda, with a contemporary sonic landscape.

This extraordinary collaboration emerged during a fateful encounter when Dogu of Ancient Astronauts visited Uganda for a music festival in Gulu. Reuniting with Otim Alpha, whom he had met at the Worldwide Music Expo in Finland, the two quickly formed a friendship that would lead to magic.

Otim Alpha, an exceptional adungu player known for his ground-breaking work on the Nyege Nyege Tapes label, and Dogu ventured into the studio during Dogu’s stay to record the adungu melodies that now grace ‘Akwaki’.

To complete this sonic masterpiece, long-time friend and collaborator Brazen Rule lent his vocals to the track. The result is a harmonious blend of traditional indigenous instruments from East Africa seamlessly interwoven with a contemporary ‘riddim’ and killer vocals. This track showcases the boundless potential when culture and innovation converge.

‘Akwaki’ serves as a testament to the power of music to unite, transcend boundaries and carry tradition into the modern era. It’s a captivating fusion of the past and the present, offering listeners a one-of-a-kind sonic experience that will transport them to the heart of Uganda while embracing the innovation of today.

Please log in to post a comment.

Most popular

Disclaimer: Music In Africa provides a platform for musicians and contributors to embed music and videos solely for promotional purposes. If any track or video embedded on this platform violates any copyrights please inform us immediately and we will take it down. Please read our Terms of Use for more.

newsletter banner

Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter

Follow us on social media