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Music to your ears
Ten young ambitious musicians from Cape Town have been awarded full bursaries to change the tune of their futures with Bridges For Music Academy’s five-month Music MBA programme.
Nando’s has partnered with Bridges For Music Academy, a non-profit organisation and academy that taps into the power of music to uplift, encourage, and strengthen disadvantaged communities across the world. Bridges for Music’s mission is to make a positive impact on South Africa’s music industry and help to generate an employable and entrepreneurial pipeline of music experts working in different music-related fields from sound engineering and production through to music-makers.
As South Africa’s home of Peri-Peri chicken and spicy ‘quips,’ Nando’s is committed to nurturing and growing South Africa’s young creative talent. Through this commitment, Nando’s aims to ensure, young creative people have a space to create work to share with the nation and the world. While music and sound are a strong part of the curriculum, the students also learn transferable entrepreneurial and life skills to help them navigate a fast-paced, highly competitive and constantly evolving world.
Sicelo Gaqiso – Lower Crossroads, Cape Town
The high prevalence of drugs and crime in Lower Crossroads township presents a huge challenge to those growing up in this environment. For Sicelo Gaqiso the marimba, which he started playing when he was just 12 years old, provided a refuge in a place of danger, uncertainty and extremely limited opportunities. Since then, Sicelo has excelled in the marimba, playing in both local and renowned community groups. Sicelo met Sabu Jiyana, a mentor who introduced Sicelo to world-renowned marimba band Abavuki. This ignited Sicelo’s passion for the future in music. He applied for the Bridges for Music Academy bursary in order to further grow his musical career and secure a better future. “When I complete my time at the academy, I want to have grown musically and grow even more into becoming a business-minded young man,” says Sicelo
Alizwa Tyala – Lower Crossroads, Cape Town
“The reason I chose Bridges for Music Academy is that I want to upskill myself in music, entrepreneurship, sound engineering and production. When I complete my five months at the academy, I want to have acquired and mastered the skills of producing a song.
“Not only that, but I also want to learn more about what it takes to become a successful entrepreneur in this difficult industry,” says Alizwa Tyala.
Alizwa Tyala is a trumpet player from Lower Crossroads in Cape Town. This young horn player has had a passion for music from an early age.
Alizwa has since performed with various bands including Abavuki, Ikamva Marimba Band, Abikondela Marimba Band, and Ilitha Lelanga Marimba Band. Alizwa describes his hardships as challenging and sometimes demoralising. Seeing his peers end up in jail is always a reminder that he should work even harder to change his life and provide for his family.
Jamie-Lee Fredericks – Athlone, Cape Town
At just 18, Jamie is passionate about developing a successful career in radio. Jamie was raised by her grandparents in circumstances that were not always easy but she has not let this hold her back when it comes to pursuing her dreams.
She explains her reasons for coming to the Bridges Academy as follows: “I wanted a platform which would give me the opportunity to connect and learn from experts in the industry. As an artist, you need to be able to freely express yourself and show your craft and I believe the academy will bring me just that.”
Khanyisile Dwaba – Langa, Cape Town
26-year old Khanyisile was born and bred in the Langa township of Cape Town in a household where money was extremely tight, and hunger was a regular reality. As with so many from South African township communities, she was highly influenced by the church choir and the worship team, both of whom sparked a love for music and singing from a very young age. In 2021 she decided to apply for the bursary at Bridges For Music Academy to help further polish her skills and passion for music.
“I joined Bridges for Music Academy to learn more about music production and how to thrive as an artist and entrepreneur in this industry. I plan on releasing my first single soon and I would like to be fully groomed and confident for when that time comes. I believe that the academy will help me in guiding me towards that direction,” says Khanyisile.
Yonela Ivy Ntonjane – Langa, Cape Town
Yonela Ivy Ntonjane is a young, driven, and passionate singer-songwriter who wants to deliver her message to the world through her voice, words, and music. Born and raised in Langa, Cape Town, Yonela’s drive and eagerness to learn and grow in music has led her into various paths in music:
“I was inspired to join the Bridges Music Academy because I want to do more than just music, I want to also learn about the technicalities of the industry and how to become a successful artist when yoare pursuing the musical journey.
I want to leave the academy having learnt the difference between working as an individual artist and within a team. I want to be versatile and this I believe I will acquire in my time at the academy.”
