A competition as iconic because the Customary Financial institution Pleasure of Jazz is made up of many shifting elements, every important to the ultimate efficiency.
Whereas the viewers sees a fantastic ensemble, few realise the depth of ability, planning, and teamwork it takes to carry such an occasion to life, finally creating jobs for dozens of individuals.
Behind the scenes, manufacturing managers coordinate an unlimited community of execs, from musicians, set and lighting designers and sound engineers to occasion managers, photographers, social media strategists, public relations (PR) groups, hospitality workers, cleaners, ushers, and extra.
Each factor is intentional. Designing a stage, for instance, isn’t any easy job – it should seize the essence of every artist, decide exact instrument placement, and combine lighting that enhances the efficiency whereas honouring the artist’s identification.
It’s a meticulous and collaborative effort at each stage.
Because the competition closed curtains to its 26th version on the finish of September on the Sandton Conference Centre, it’s important to spotlight a few of the voices behind the scenes, acknowledging their unimaginable work that contributes to the general success of the extravaganza.
“We stay proud to be affiliated with this competition and are happy that this yr as soon as once more introduced some new flavour, showcasing the crème de la crème of artists globally,” says Bonga Sebesho, head of sponsorship at Customary Financial institution Group.
“In a rustic the place job creation is a common accountability, we consider championing the humanities by means of staging world-class occasions such because the Customary Financial institution Pleasure of Jazz is greater than an funding, however a stewardship that may forge Africa’s artistic financial system into sustainable ecosystems and a transformative drive for long-term prosperity.”
Customary Financial institution has proudly sponsored the competition for over 20 years and has been a longstanding supporter of the artistic trade for greater than 40 years by means of varied initiatives, together with the Customary Financial institution Younger Artist Award, which has produced a few of the world’s best artists, equivalent to Muneyi (Masibigiri) – the 2025 recipient, who graced the Mbira stage this yr.
Managing the legendary Dinaledi stage
For Hendrick Nemalili, founder and director of Murangi Productions, being entrusted with the Dinaledi foremost stage on the Customary Financial institution Pleasure of Jazz Competition wasn’t only a skilled milestone; it was the fruits of years of dedication, relationship-building, and constant exhausting work within the technical manufacturing trade.
“Murangi Productions has constructed a status for excellence in technical occasion companies over time,” says Nemalili.
“Our involvement with the Customary Financial institution Pleasure of Jazz competition got here because of our monitor document and the sturdy relationships we’ve nurtured within the trade. We’ve labored on this competition for a number of years, however this was the primary time we have been trusted with the principle stage.”
Nemalili provides that this job was an incredible honour for the manufacturing firm.
Murangi Productions delivered the sound, lighting, staging, and LED screens on the Dinaledi stage, a important part of the competition’s viewers expertise.
“Every competition presents its personal technical and logistical challenges,” he explains. “These challenges have helped me and my staff sharpen our problem-solving expertise, adaptability, and technical experience.
“Engaged on high-profile festivals like Pleasure of Jazz has not solely raised our visibility but additionally opened doorways to new enterprise alternatives. We all the time see constructive outcomes after this competition; it performs a direct position within the development of our enterprise.”
Nemalili sees festivals like Pleasure of Jazz as autos for financial influence {and professional} improvement, notably inside South Africa’s artistic and technical enviornment.
“These festivals create important non permanent employment alternatives for technicians, safety, distributors, and lots of others. In addition they assist native companies and artists, contributing to the broader financial system – even when simply at some stage in the occasion. I’ve seen lots of people getting concerned on this competition, they usually get a possibility to feed their households with the cash they get from this competition.”
Nemalili says he’s notably proud to have been a part of a manufacturing that helps so many behind-the-scenes staff, from AV technicians and riggers to stagehands and lighting designers, a lot of whom are younger professionals simply coming into the trade.
“I’d prefer to thank the Customary Financial institution Pleasure of Jazz competition for trusting Murangi Productions with such a significant a part of the occasion,” he provides. “It’s all the time an honour to contribute to the success of South Africa’s vibrant music scene.”
From intern to trade chief
Motlalepula Twala, co-production supervisor for Pleasure of Jazz, resides proof of how festivals can form careers.
“For the reason that age of 19, I used to be thrown into the deep finish of occasion manufacturing, artist administration, PR, and general stakeholder liaison work, beneath the mentorship of Peter Tladi and lots of different leaders who have been keen to impart information to a younger girl in a male-dominated trade,” remembers Twala.
She speaks passionately in regards to the expertise she has gained by means of competition work.
“The Customary Financial institution Pleasure of Jazz is really a mini college for the assorted expertise, together with collaboration and fostering neighborhood with totally different stakeholders to keep up lovely and cooperative relationships.
“You discover ways to pivot, make massive selections you may stand on for the larger good of the competition, you study to be versatile, sturdy in character, as there are lots of characters, diffuse any drama or pressure so that everybody stays centered on the one aim, and likewise be accessible in order that your groups work beside you and never really feel that they’re beneath you.
“These are sellable expertise which have opened doorways to different alternatives,” she provides.
Twala says festivals are important for decreasing unemployment.
“Other than the precise occasion itself, it additionally creates a surge in enterprise for native companies and freelancers, equivalent to household eating places, automotive guards, distributors, cleaners, and self-appointed visitors patrols. It’s principally non permanent, however it makes a distinction.”
Gender inclusion
Twala makes a compelling level about gender inclusion.
“I’m obsessed with seeing extra ladies in manufacturing groups as the primary level of contact, working technical and sound corporations, working as stage managers, designing levels, and creating lighting plans.”
She credit Peter Tladi, the competition’s founder, for being a champion of ladies in management.
“I additionally should point out that it takes dynamic males in these positions to carry ladies alongside into these areas with them. I want to honour Peter Tladi for being a champion on this subject. Other than me being a ‘graduate’ of his as a reliable manufacturing supervisor, he additionally appointed Mantwa Chinoamadi as his successor to provide the occasion.
“He constructed a tradition for the competition’s future, with many women-headed corporations working varied elements of the competition, together with sponsorship, PR, and journey liaison.”
Feeding the soul and stomachs
James Khoza, government chef of the Sandton Conference Centre, provides: “Festivals aren’t simply in regards to the music; they’re additionally in regards to the flavours and tastes that guests take with them as recollections, which is why I see my position as central to the story of the competition.”
For Khoza, meals types an integral a part of the competition. “Each plate served is an invite to style our tradition, our traditions, and our creativity.
“Festivals are cultural showcases. They mix artwork, music, meals, and hospitality right into a single expertise. They create jobs, develop small companies, and appeal to vacationers. From a chef’s perspective, festivals are additionally alternatives for gastronomic tourism; they permit us to showcase South African flavours on a worldwide stage.
“When a customer tastes a neighborhood dish at Pleasure of Jazz, that have could spark their curiosity to discover extra of our delicacies, resulting in repeat visits and deeper engagement with our tradition,” he provides.
Khoza insists that meals and music converse the identical common language, and festivals are the right place to carry them collectively.
“Festivals just like the Customary Financial institution Pleasure of Jazz remind us that meals and music share a common language; each have the facility to unite folks, spark pleasure, and inform tales. As cooks, we don’t simply cook dinner; we form experiences that guests carry with them lengthy after the final word is performed.”
A pathway for the youth
Sandisiwe Maphasa says working on the Customary Financial institution Pleasure of Jazz as an assistant stage supervisor wasn’t only a job; it was a transformative studying expertise and a strong stepping-stone in her profession.
“Competition work provides me alternatives I most likely wouldn’t get anyplace else.
“It’s an area the place I get to community with trade professionals and really work alongside them,” she provides.
“That sort of entry and expertise is priceless. I’m strolling away with stronger management, administration, and communication expertise, all of that are important if I need to succeed within the leisure trade.
“Greater than 100 folks have been employed, principally younger. Even when it’s non permanent, it adjustments lives. I may see folks offering for his or her households from this work,” says Maphasa.
An all-rounder ensuring issues run easily
Clive Lubisi, who studied jazz composition, labored as a manufacturing assistant. His tasks ranged from backstage images to dealing with artist requests and tech assist.
He says festivals are like a crash course in life expertise.
“I’ve discovered issues you may’t get in a classroom: teamwork, adaptability, and communication.”
Lubisi started as an intern in 2017. “Now I’m in manufacturing. I’ve labored with main festivals and occasions due to what I discovered right here.”
He echoes a typical sentiment: “Individuals suppose it’s simply enjoyable and music. However behind the scenes, it’s lengthy hours, quick selections, and critical teamwork … Seeing an empty room rework right into a stage stuffed with lights and music is all the time magical.”
Whether or not it’s a chef curating a menu, a stage supervisor coordinating a set change, or a younger intern seeing their future come alive beneath the lights, festivals are a significant a part of South Africa’s social and financial material.
Festivals like Customary Financial institution Pleasure of Jazz have a ripple impact on South Africa’s financial system, tradition, and communities.
From the technical crew to the cooks, distributors, servers, planners, cleaners, and each unsung hero in between, kudos to every one in every of you. Your efforts made the magic doable on the 2025 Customary Financial institution Pleasure of Jazz.
Dropped at you by Customary Financial institution Group.
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