SA: Bridges For Music and Sony Africa announce partnership

The partnership was made through Sony Music Group’s Global Social Justice Fund, which is designed to provide assistance, education and a safe space for youth from underserved communities through music and creative entrepreneurship across South Africa.

“We are honoured to be part of the Sony Music Global Social Justice Fund,” Bridges For Music partnerships and fundraising Manager Jaquelyne Kwenda said. “This funding will help accelerate the growth and sustainability of the organisation, allowing us to build upon the momentum created over the past nine years and potentially bringing our education model to new communities in the future.”

Digital service manager and chair of Sony Music Africa Entertainment Africa Social Justice Fund Committee Yule Dlamini said: “Aligning with Bridges for Music has been a beautiful journey. Their commitment to supporting vulnerable communities and continuous positive impact is something that really connects with all of our employees and playing a small role in their growth and ambition to make a difference is something we are truly honoured to be part of.”

Founded in Langa, Cape Town, Bridges for Music is a non-profit organisation backed by key players in the music industry. It aims to empower young talent from underserved communities to become creative change-makers, empowering them with psychosocial and entrepreneurial skills to thrive in the creative industry. Through the Global Social Justice Fund, 15 young creatives will receive scholarships to attend the organisation’s Music MBA at Bridges Academy. As part of their employment programme, the scholarship will provide young creatives from underserved communities with access to work and career development opportunities in the industry through music, creative entrepreneurship, and health.

The new funding builds on existing projects across the country with support from the Global Social Justice Fund. In April 2021, Sony Music Entertainment Africa partnered with Women of Music Business (WOMB) to launch a new masterclass training programme that was designed to support women working in the African music industry and helping to build the next generation of senior female music executives in the continent.

Find more about Sony Music Group’s Global Social Justice Fund here.