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

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Cape Town, South Africa

In operation since:

2023

Contact person:

Matthew Mole

BIO

Matthew Mole, born on October 28, 1991, in Cape Town, South Africa, is a singer-songwriter of exceptional talent whose music effortlessly combines folk with an electronica influence. His remarkable journey in the world of music has been marked by accolades and a distinctive sound that resonates with audiences across the globe.

Hailing from the coastal town of Fish Hoek in Cape Town, Matthew's early musical education came from his father, who taught him to play the guitar. This foundation would prove essential as he later expanded his repertoire to include instruments such as the ukulele, banjo, piano, organ, and drums. High school marked the beginning of his songwriting endeavors, where he would experiment with crafting his own melodies and lyrics.

In 2010, Matthew decided to pursue formal education in music production in Cape Town, further deepening his understanding of the art and science of sound.

Matthew's career kicked off with the release of his independent EP, 'You Did Well, Kid' in 2011, where he generously shared his singles online, rapidly gaining recognition among music enthusiasts.

A pivotal moment in his journey came in August 2012 when he emerged as the winner of Converse's "Get Out of the Garage" competition. This achievement opened doors, granting him a coveted performance at London's iconic 100 Club and a recording session at Converse's studio in New York. Following this triumph, he signed with Just Music and released his second EP, 'Same Parts, Same Heart' in December 2012, even landing one of its tracks on the soundtrack of the film 'Leading Lady.'

In 2013, Matthew recorded and released his debut studio album, 'The Home We Built', produced by Matthew Fink. His debut album made history, as he became the first South African artist to debut at #1 on the iTunes SA chart on the very first day of release. The album received numerous nominations, including Male Artist of the Year, Best Pop Album, and Best Engineer of the Year.

Matthew continued to make waves in the music scene with subsequent releases. His sophomore album, 'Run' arrived in 2016, followed by 'Ghost' in November 2019. "Run" ascended to the top spot on South Africa's iTunes charts within three months of release, and its single, "Run," achieved Gold Status in the same timeframe. The 23rd Annual South African Music Awards acknowledged the album with nominations for Best Pop Album, Best Produced Album, and Record of the Year.

In live performances, Matthew Mole showcases his exceptional talent, seamlessly blending guitar, synth, kick drum, and triggered beats to create a mesmerizing and one-of-a-kind musical experience. His captivating stage presence has graced renowned festivals such as 5FM's Cape Town Live Loud, 947's Joburg Day, and the Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concert, captivating audiences both in South Africa and around the world.

Beyond his musical endeavors, Matthew Mole is committed to making a positive impact on the world. In 2020, he joined forces with Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and the non-profit organization WILDTRUST to raise awareness for ocean protection, emphasizing the vital role oceans play in preserving our environment. Alongside his wife Jess, they featured in a video highlighting the significance of ocean conservation.

Matthew Mole's discography is a testament to his musical evolution and creativity:

- 2013: "The Home We Built" (Album)
- 2016: "Run" (Album)
- 2019: "Ghost" (Album)
- 2020: "Ghost Live" (Live versions of songs from previous album)

In addition to his albums, Matthew has released a series of EPs and singles, showcasing his versatility and prolific songwriting:

- 2011: "You Did Well, Kid" (EP)
- 2012: "Same Parts, Same Heart" (EP)
- 2020: "Pennsylvania" (Single)
- 2020: "Keep It Together" (EP)
- 2020: "Honey, I'm Home" (EP)
- 2020: "Fall" (EP)
- 2020: "Silent Night" (Single - Cover)
- 2021: "I'm With You" (Single)

Matthew Mole's journey in music is marked by his ability to seamlessly blend genres, captivate audiences worldwide, and use his platform to advocate for environmental conservation. As he continues to push musical boundaries and explore new horizons, his unique sound and heartfelt lyrics are sure to enchant listeners for years to come.

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