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

Features

The Soil’s Luphindo Ngxanga on the making of Reimagined

09 Apr 2024 - 15:40

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In the realm of creative ventures, the release of Reimagined by South African a capella group The Soil, has undoubtedly sparked a wave of excitement and anticipation among their loyal followers. Delving into the depths of their journey, from the inception of this project to the final product, the group shares its thoughts and experiences on their latest musical endeavour.

The Soil: Luphindo Ngxanga, Theo Matshoba and Ntsika Ngxanga. Photo: Facebook

A grateful and elated Luphindo Ngxanga expresses his deep appreciation for the divine gift that is Theo Matshoba, their newest member. “It really feels amazing, God has been good to us to bless us with such a beautiful talent, we couldn’t have asked for more. Theo is godsend. We really love and appreciate her.”

Reflecting on the arduous yet fulfilling creative process, Ngxanga delves into the spiritual and personal growth that shaped their musical journey, which led them to dig deeper into their artistic repository, resulting in a body of work that encapsulates seven years of dedication and exploration. “We had to find ourselves spiritually and tap into spaces that we never tapped into, like listening to our forefathers.”

The 11-track album stands as a testament to the band’s unwavering commitment to their craft, blending profound introspection with musical innovation. As a result of Theo’s presence and the collective efforts of the band, the trio has crafted a masterpiece that transcends time and resonates with audiences on a profound level.

Among the gems off the album lies ‘Khetha Mna’, a track that serves as a poignant dialogue with the divine. It delves into the question of purpose and destiny, pondering if given the chance to relive life, would one choose the same path. Through the lens of this song, the group affirm that they would seize the opportunity to create harmonies once more.

As the melodic tapestry of their new album unfolds, it becomes evident that The Soil’s artistry transcends boundaries. Their journey is not merely one of musical transformation but a testament to the enduring power of creative expression and the innate ability of harmonies to uplift and unite souls around the globe.

Their music serves as a vessel for self-discovery, healing, and unity, encapsulating the essence of their artistic journey and contributing to a legacy of boundless creativity and musical brilliance. As audiences immerse themselves in the melodies of their latest album, they embark on a transformative odyssey that transcends borders and unites souls in a symphony of harmony and emotion.

Artistic evolution

With a blend of familiarity and evolution, Ngxanga unveils a transformation in their musical essence, describing their musical style and themes as “the core of how The Soil sounds, but with more maturity and depth.”

Embracing a deeper level of introspection, Ngxanga labels the songs within album as “conversations”, resonating with a more mature and exquisite sound. The essence of world music, he says, weaves through their melodies, reflecting a universal tapestry of harmonies and rhythms.

Elevating their aspirations to new heights, the group dreams of accolades and global impact. Their vision extends beyond mere recognition, striving to heal and elevate humanity through the transformative power of their harmonies and melodies. “We want to reach levels that we never reached before, like getting a Grammy award and blessing every world stage out there.”

The Soil has embraced the winds of change and evolution, with a musical landscape defined by innovation and diverse influences. Open to collaborations that transcend boundaries, the group eagerly anticipates pioneering musical experiments that push the boundaries of creativity and elevate their sound to new heights.

“Definitely the sound will keep on evolving with the pace we are at and getting all these influences from all over the world with the travels lined up.”

Upcoming performances

“We made sure that we introduced the audience to this journey of one finding self, that is why we called them conversations.”

Envisioning the track list as a captivating story with vibrant chapters, the group curated each melody with meticulous care, ensuring a seamless flow that captivates and enchants. Entrusting their art to divine guidance, they allowed their creativity to flourish, resulting in a cohesive and profound listening experience for their audience.

Navigating the intricate landscape of artistic creation, The Soil faced moments of uncertainty and growth. Recalling a pivotal experience, Ngxanga says: “When we recorded a song and felt like it didn’t reach where it should be, we would then go back to the drawing board and start over.” Despite the intensity of these challenges, the group stood united, offering support to one another in vocal arrangements, lyric composition, and overall artistic refinement.

With live performances beckoning, The Soil has embarked on a musical voyage that promises to captivate audiences far and wide where festivals and digital platforms align as avenues for their music to resonate globally. “We have The Soil Tour, kicking-off in Cape Town and heading to Pretoria on 26 April, with more cities like Durban, Port Elizabeth, Mpumalanga, Soweto, and beyond,” Ngxanga shared.

As the melodies of their latest creation reverberate through the hearts of listeners, it is evident that the band’s journey has been one of growth, collaboration, and unwavering passion for the art of music. Their new album serves as a testament to the power of artistic evolution and the timeless impact of creative expression – a true testament to the enduring legacy of musical brilliance.

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