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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Johannesburg, South Africa

In operation since:

2020

Contact person:

Jst Sako

BIO

JST SAKO: THE SONIC STORYTELLER OF AFRO-FUSION
Born and raised in the vibrant township of Daveyton, Sako's musical journey began where most iconic stories do, at home. It was there, in a modest setting, that he made his first beat, sang his first note, and wrote his very first bars. The moment was quiet, but the fire it sparked would soon echo across airwaves.

The multi-talented singer, songwriter, and record producer has been steadily crafting a name for himself in the music industry, fusing soulful vocals with rhythmic African influences. His reintroduction as Jst Sako marked the beginning of a more refined and purpose-driven era in his career, one rooted in authenticity, vulnerability, and sonic excellence.

A RISING STAR WITH A DISTINCT SOUND
Jst Sako’s music is an emotional voyage, blending introspective lyrics with infectious beats and rich, soulful melodies. Each track is a story wrapped in emotion: honest, relatable, and deeply resonant. His musical palette reflects a lifetime of influences, yet the result is uniquely his own. From early singing lessons at the age of 12 to late nights learning production during his high school years, Sako has poured years of dedication into his artistry. The result? A signature sound that bridges generations
and genres, Afro-fusion at its most heartfelt.

BREAKTHROUGH MOMENTS
His 2020 breakout single, "Molo" made waves across the continent, earning over 5.5M radio impressions and peaking at #25 on the RAMS Official Top 30 Chart in July 2020. It also topped Gagasi FM’s R&B Top 10 Chart and landed a high-profile sync placement on Season 3 of Netflix’s "Blood & Water." That was just the beginning. With each release, Jst Sako continues to build momentum, capturing the hearts of listeners across Africa and beyond. His debut EP, "1Five20", further cemented his presence in the industry, especially with the standout track “Yintoni”, which was spotlighted by Slikour On Life as “Hot on The Streets.”

In 2025 he released his debut album TUKA, a 14-track Afro-Fusion project that explores love, heartbreak and renewal, and has followed it up with visuals for singles like “Ngimtholile” featuring ReasonHD. Around this period he was also named as Apple Music’s latest Up Next artist in South Africa, a high-profile emerging-artist development program that spotlights rising talent to global audiences. At this stage of his journey, Jst Sako stands as one of South Africa’s most promising new voices, translating personal stories into music that resonates far beyond his roots. With a debut album that marks his artistic arrival and growing recognition on major platforms, he continues to evolve with intention, confidence, and clarity, laying the foundation for a career defined by authenticity, emotional depth, and lasting impact.

Photos

Music

Jst Sako- Cha Cha

Jst Sako
04:16

Jst Sako- Flaws (feat. Pdot O)

Jst Sako
03:10

Jst Sako- Pata Pata

Jst Sako
03:13

Jst Sako- Blessings

Jst Sako
04:14

Jst Sako- Cha Cha

Jst Sako
04:16

Dark Skin Girl

Jst Sako
03:28

Molo

Jst Sako
04:00

Xiluva

Jst Sako
05:54
Jst Sako

Jst Sako

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Social Networks and Websites

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.

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