Uhuru’s DJ Maphorisa, Themba Sekowe.
Andrew Mkhondo
TSHWANE will be the place to be tomorrow!
It is hosting one of its biggest gigs, the Tshwane Music Festival
at Pretoria Showgrounds in Pretoria West.
This week the municipality hosted the annual Tshwane Music
Conference which aims to assist musicians, leading up to tomorrow’s event.
At the conference up and coming musicians got a chance to showcase
their talent alongside established heavyweights.
Event manager Thato Ramatlhakwana said it was about supporting
upcoming Tshwane musicians. “We are making sure they have opportunities to
access the market,” she said.
The conference started on Monday and on Wednesday the master of
ceremony was actress Mulalo Ndou, known as Kamo from SABC 1’s Skeem
Saam.
“We selected the top 10 aspiring musicians and they will get
production bursaries from Pioneer,” Thato said.
She added that popular local kwaito group Uhuru and The Muffinz
also produced a song at the conference.
Themba Sekowe (28), who is Uhuru’s DJ Maphorisa, explained that he
comes from a musical background.
“I was inspired by my uncle to go into the music industry. When I
was young I used to be by his side when he sang and played piano. He sang at
church,” he said.
Everyone said this year’s conference was a huge success.
Sihle Dlalisa (31), also known as DJ Clap, said for them the
conference was about putting Tshwane musicians on the map.
“I started music after high school because I had nothing to do. I
had no money to go to university or college.
“But today I am happy about the decision I made. I am over the moon
about my future,” he said.
Howard Gomba (26), who also is with Uhuru, said the conference was
about bringing Tshwane musicians together and giving them a platform to show off
their talent.
* Artists who will perform at tomorrow’s festival
include: Cassper Nyovest, Mafikizolo, Riky Rick, The Muffinz, Penny Penny, Boom
Shaka, Black Motion, Busiswa, Emtee, Kid X, Khuli Chana, Dr Malinga, L-Tido, JR,
Kwesta, Uhuru, Nasty C, Bucie, daLES, Kaylow, Blaklez, Howard, Bolo J Smile, Dbn
Nyts and African Roots. Tickets cost between R100 and R650.
