NEFCISA
NEFCISA

The Music In Africa Foundation (MIAF) is proud to announce 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 launching a new national programme designed to create jobs, address skills gaps, and strengthen 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 will recruit and train participants, match them with host organisations, and place a minimum of 1 000 workers across the country. 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.

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 claire@musicinafrica.net. 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

News

SA: Umzulu Phaqa releases faith-inspired single ‘Unlimited Budget’

25 Jun 2026 - 09:03

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South African singer-songwriter Umzulu Phaqa has released ‘Unlimited Budget’, the second single from her forthcoming debut album, Umzulu Phaqa, Volume 1.

Umzulu Phaqa.

The release follows Thakatha Njalo, which introduced listeners to the artist's blend of contemporary pop influences and isiZulu storytelling.

Described as a gospel-pop track, Unlimited Budget centres on themes of faith, resilience and divine provision. The song's hook, Owami uNkulunkulu une Unlimited Budget (My God has an unlimited budget), uses the concept of an unlimited budget as a metaphor for God's ability to provide beyond human limitations.

According to information accompanying the release, the track is intended as a statement of spiritual confidence rather than a reference to financial wealth. Themes of abundance, grace and favour are explored throughout the song.

‘Unlimited Budget’ forms part of Umzulu Phaqa, Volume 1, a debut project that the artist describes as an exploration of different interpretations of pop music. The album draws on a range of influences while incorporating contemporary production with elements rooted in African musical traditions.

The project is said to reflect inspirations from several prominent artists, including Brenda Fassie and Lebo Mathosa, alongside aspects of international mainstream pop associated with Sabrina Carpenter.

Originally from KwaZulu-Natal, Umzulu Phaqa has built her artistic identity around combining modern musical styles with traditional isiZulu narratives and cultural themes.

The release of Unlimited Budget comes ahead of several scheduled performances in 2026, including appearances at: Basha Uhuru Festival, For You & Everybody and Rose Fest.

‘Unlimited Budget’ is available on digital streaming platforms, while Umzulu Phaqa, Volume 1 is expected to be released later this year.

Contributor: Portia Haraba

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