Vuyo McGlad AKA (Kwanda Tangweni)

BIO

Vuyo McGlad, whose real name is Kwanda Tangweni, is a South African cultural entrepreneur, event curator and creative director working to connect younger audiences with live music, jazz and contemporary culture. Through NarowBi and Kids Love Jazz, he has developed platforms that bring together musicians, creatives and audiences while challenging perceptions about who participates in South Africa’s jazz scene.

McGlad launched NarowBi around 2019, driven by a desire to create spaces where people could connect through music, art and shared experiences.He describes

the platform as an inclusive environment where people could feel a sense of belonging. NarowBi has since developed into a live-events platform combining musical performances, artistic showcases and community engagement.

His approach to event curation places emphasis on atmosphere, collaboration and accessibility. Rather than treating events solely as performances, McGlad uses music and creative programming to encourage interaction between artists and audiences. His work also creates opportunities for local creatives to participate in the planning and presentation of cultural experiences.

One of the initiatives to emerge from this approach is Kids Love Jazz, which McGlad co-founded around 2024 with Banele Mhlanga and Vuyo Matiti. The idea developed after he attended a jazz event and noticed the number of young people in attendance. The experience challenged assumptions that jazz primarily appeals to older listeners and prompted the team to create events that would make the genre more accessible to younger audiences.

Kids Love Jazz combines live performances with a contemporary approach to jazz culture, bringing together established musicians, emerging talent and younger listeners. The initiative aims to celebrate the genre’s history while allowing it to evolve through new audiences, musical experimentation and different forms of cultural expression.

The platform has also expanded beyond Johannesburg. In 2026, Kids Love Jazz appeared at the National Arts Festival in Makhanda and undertook activities in other South African cities, with further regional ambitions. Its programme has included concerts, conversations and community events designed to connect different generations through jazz.

McGlad’s work extends beyond audience development to supporting the wider creative economy. Through its events and collaborations, his team creates opportunities for musicians and other creative professionals to contribute their skills. In an interview with eNCA’s sister broadcaster EWN in June 2026, the Kids Love Jazz initiative was described as a platform that supports emerging artists, connects young listeners with established musicians and generates work for creative practitioners.

His work reflects a broader effort to build sustainable cultural spaces for young South Africans. By combining live music with community participation, McGlad is exploring how independent platforms can contribute to the development of audiences, provide opportunities for artists and encourage renewed interest in jazz.

Through NarowBi and Kids Love Jazz, McGlad continues to develop a model of cultural programming that brings music and community together. His journey from launching NarowBi around 2019 to expanding Kids Love Jazz into a broader platform illustrates his commitment to creating spaces where younger generations can discover, experience and contribute to South Africa’s evolving music culture.