Jazz Wise, an advancement of youth employment. Image credit: @Sundayworld.
Jazz Wise 2025 Returns to Empower South Africa’s Young Creatives with Industry Knowledge and Real-World Opportunities
(The Post News)- South Africa’s rising generation of musicians, artists, and cultural entrepreneurs is set to benefit from an extraordinary opportunity for growth and inspiration as the 2025 Jazz Wise Youth Music Business Workshop returns to the Joburg Theatre on Wednesday, 17 September, starting at 8:00 AM.
Presented as a flagship event under the banner of the prestigious Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival, it has evolved into one of South Africa’s most impactful platforms for youth development in the creative industries. This dynamic workshop offers a blend of education, mentorship, and networking, carefully designed to prepare young people to navigate the competitive world of music, arts, and cultural business.
Unlike traditional events, the event actively brings the next generation into direct conversation with the professionals who shape the South African arts landscape. Open to high school learners in Grades 9–12, tertiary students, and young professionals aged 20 to 25, the event serves as both an educational experience and a stepping stone into the music and creative sectors.
Throughout the day, participants will engage in a variety of sessions including interactive workshops, panel discussions, and live networking opportunities, where they’ll gain practical knowledge and real-world insight from top industry leaders. Attendees can expect to learn about music production, artist management, event planning, branding, and the evolving digital music economy all directly from award-winning musicians, renowned artist managers, and innovative cultural entrepreneurs.
Mandla Selby Maseko, a respected artist management consultant with deep industry experience, will curate the day’s programme to ensure that it reflects the realities and opportunities in today’s creative sector. Adding further inspiration, multi-award-winning jazz vocalist, composer, and academic Nomfundo Xaluva will deliver the keynote address. Known for her artistry and academic excellence, Xaluva will share her journey, highlighting the intersection of talent, discipline, and business acumen required to succeed in the industry.
Mantwa Chinoamadi, CEO of T-Musicman and producer of the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz, emphasized the workshop’s broader mission.
“By creating a skills exchange platform, we are investing in the future of South Africa’s creative economy,” she said. “We want to empower young people not only to dream but to build sustainable careers. Events like this create real bridges between education and industry.”
Echoing this sentiment, Bonga Sebesho, Head of Sponsorships at Standard Bank, highlighted the long-term impact of such initiatives.
“Jazz Wise is far more than a side event to the festival. It’s a meaningful opportunity for young creatives to connect with and learn from industry professionals. This kind of access to mentorship and expertise is rare and it plays a vital role in cultivating both the cultural richness and economic resilience of our country.”
Participants will leave with more than just inspiration they’ll walk away with tools, contacts, and strategies that can help them take the next steps in their creative journeys. Whether they aspire to become performing artists, producers, cultural managers, or creative entrepreneurs, Jazz Wise 2025 offers them a practical foundation on which to build their futures.
More than just a workshop, Jazz Wise is a launchpad for dreams, careers, and creative enterprise and a bold reminder of the role young South Africans can and must play in shaping the future of the nation’s cultural landscape.
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