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SA: 2026 Music Exchange to focus on rights, AI and the entertainment economy

SA: 2026 Music Exchange to focus on rights, AI and the entertainment economy

Ghana: Mr Eazi teams up with MOLIY on new single ‘Comfort’

Ghana: Mr Eazi teams up with MOLIY on new single ‘Comfort’

NAAK and Vumaala to take SA electronic sounds to Amsterdam

NAAK and Vumaala to take SA electronic sounds to Amsterdam

South African music veteran Babsy Mlangeni dies aged 83

South African music veteran Babsy Mlangeni dies aged 83

SA: Moonchild Sanelly to release Afro-house project ‘The Blueprint’

SA: Moonchild Sanelly to release Afro-house project ‘The Blueprint’

SA: Sasa MSK teams up with S’Villa, Epic Minds on new single ‘Sabela’

SA: Sasa MSK teams up with S’Villa, Epic Minds on new single ‘Sabela’

Feather Awards 2026 in SA: All the nominees

Feather Awards 2026 in SA: All the nominees

ACCES nominated for best music biz conference at MBAA

ACCES nominated for best music biz conference at MBAA

Milk + Cookies Festival to return to South Africa in January 2027

Milk + Cookies Festival to return to South Africa in January 2027

Snapchat adds AI tools that turn chats into songs for Lens+ subscribers

Snapchat adds AI tools that turn chats into songs for Lens+ subscribers

Kenya: Tommy WÁ and Labdi to perform in Nairobi as part of MobiArts Tour

Kenya: Tommy WÁ and Labdi to perform in Nairobi as part of MobiArts Tour

Roster launches Star Power tool to compare artists using public music data

Roster launches Star Power tool to compare artists using public music data

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

Music In Africa
Home / opportunities
opportunities

Open call: MTN Bushfire Firefly 2025/2026 competition in eSwatini

Music In Africa Foundation By Music In Africa Foundation

03 Dec 2025 - 12:33

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Emerging artists from eSwatini are invited to submit applications for the 9th edition of the MTN Bushfire Firefly music talent competition.

The application deadline is 30 January 2026.

With support from MTN eSwatini, the programme is aimed at identifying and promoting new musical talent. It is open to vocalists, singers and rappers seeking wider exposure and professional development through live performance, mentorship and industry engagement.

Who can apply

  • Up-and-coming vocalists, singers and rappers
  • Applicants must be aged 16 to 35 at the time of registration
  • Applicants under 18 must provide consent from a parent or legal guardian

Important dates

  • 3 December 2025 – Applications open
  • 30 January 2026 – Applications close
  • 13 February 2026 – Top 20 announcement & voting opens
  • 7 March 2026 – Top 20 live auditions (House on Fire)
  • 13 March 2026 – Top 20 voting closes
  • 20 March 2026 – Top 10 announcement
  • 10 April 2026 – Top 10 voting closes
  • 24 April 2026 – MTN Bushfire Firefly Grand Finale
  • 29 – 31 May 2026 – Top 3 performance at MTN Bushfire Festival

Important notices

  • All Top 20 finalists must attend live auditions at House on Fire on 7 March 2026. Failure to attend may lead to disqualification.
  • All Top 10 finalists are required to perform on a backing track during the Grand Finale.
  • The Top 3 winners will also perform on backing track during their sets at the MTN Bushfire Festival.

Adjudication process

  • Accredited adjudicators will select the Top 20 finalists.
  • A percentage of public votes will contribute to determining which artists progress into the Top 3. The voting platform will be announced later.
  • The Top 20 will be publicised across multiple communication platforms.
  • The Top 10 will be selected through a combination of public voting and industry adjudication.
  • The final Top 3 will be selected based on live performances at the MTN Bushfire Firefly Grand Finale on 24 April 2026 at House on Fire.
  • Top 10 artists are encouraged to actively market their participation, as visibility contributes to overall assessment.

Artist benefits

  • Top 20: Music promotion on international platforms
  • Top 20: MTN CallerTunes on-boarding
  • Top 20: Arts Round Table with global stakeholders
  • Top 10: Performance at the Firefly Top 10 Grand Finale (with expense stipend)
  • Top 10: Branded merchandise
  • Top 3: Mobile phones sponsored by MTN eSwatini
  • Top 3: Performance slot at the MTN Bushfire Festival (with expense stipend)

How to apply

  • Submit two original tracks for consideration
  • Submit an EPK or biography (PDF or web link)
  • Complete the application form here before 30 January 2026
  • For applicants under 18 or for additional information, contact: [email protected]

View the original call here.

Disclaimer: Opportunities published on this platform are provided by external organisers. While we aim to share accurate and current calls, Music In Africa is not responsible for the organisation, management or delivery of any related events or programmes.

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