In this week’s newsletter, we take a look back at last year’s closing news, with a spotlight on the most exciting and impactful moments from the worlds of art, music, and innovation. From the upcoming Investec Cape Town Art Fair 2025, celebrating the power of play, to Tyla’s breakthrough on Apple Music’s charts. We also explore a range of collaborations, from Stay True Sounds’ exclusive capsule with Shelflife to MoBlack’s mesmerizing music video with the UCT Choir. Plus, don’t miss the latest achievements of South African talent, like Khuzani topping the Apple Music charts and the Oscars buzz around “The Last Ranger.”
Investec Cape Town Art Fair 2025
The 2025 Edition Is Celebrating Art, Creativity And Exploration Through The Power of PLAY
The Investec Cape Town Art Fair 2025, from February 21-23 at the CTICC, promises to be the most vibrant edition yet, with 124 global exhibitors, including first-timers from Tokyo, Kampala, and Kuwait City. Under the theme PLAY, this event will explore the dynamic intersection of art, creativity, and collaboration. Attendees can engage with contemporary art, enjoy curated talks, and experience a city-wide festival celebrating Cape Town’s rich cultural scene. “Interrogating the dynamics of experimentation, the 12th edition of Investec Cape Town Art Fair: PLAY bases its thematic framework around play as action, play your role, play as curiosity, play as the inherent human desire to create,” says fair director Laura Vincenti.
V&A Waterfront’s Virtual Gallery
This Gallery Features An All-female Exhibition Showcasing Artworks By Emerging And Established Artists
The V&A Waterfront’s Artist Alliance programme has launched a Virtual Gallery to connect local creatives with a global audience. Hosted on ArtPlacer, an online platform with augmented reality features, the gallery allows users to explore a curated selection of artworks at any time and from anywhere. The inaugural exhibition, A Feminine Gaze: Women’s Perspectives in Contemporary Art, showcases 10 women artists, including Mbhali Manzini (artwork featured on the left) and Larissa Mwanyama, both graduates of the programme. “The virtual gallery is about creating a vibrant community that fosters creativity and cultural exchange,” says Tinyiko Mageza, Executive Manager: Marketing at the V&A Waterfront.
Stay True Sounds x Shelflife Capsule
Stay True Sound and Shelflife Collaborate On Exclusive Capsule Collection Featuring Ashes57’s Artwork
Stay True Sound and Shelflife announced a collaborative capsule collection of apparel and accessories, reflecting their shared passion and mutual respect. Renowned artist Ashes57 contributed her distinctive graphics to the designs. The launch event featured a remarkable gathering, with notable figures such as Wanda LePhoto, Stax Mabokhisi, Vez Fullstop, Sio, China Charmeleon, Vinny Da Vinci, and Franadilla coming together for a memorable photo. This collaboration underscores the enduring commitment of both brands to creativity and community.
Content Creation With Galaxy A Series
Empowering Young Creators To Tell Their Stories With The Latest Samsung Galaxy A Series
Samsung’s Galaxy A Series is empowering the next generation of content creators with a fresh collaboration with iKasi Creative and The Market Photo Workshop. These institutions, renowned for nurturing young visual storytellers, have partnered to support rural youth and budding photographers. “The latest Galaxy A Series devices are like bringing your creative studio everywhere,” says Kgomotso Mosiane, Head of Marketing for Mobile eXperience at Samsung Electronics. “They allow creators to capture and share their ideas with powerful cameras and editing tools. This partnership highlights Samsung’s commitment to fostering creativity in the digital era, selecting emerging talents like Miché Cloete, Yolanda Xego, Teboho Mabuya, and Luyanda Masuku to capture compelling visual stories with Galaxy A25 5G, A35 5G, and A55 5G.
Tyla Topping Apple Music Charts
South African Global Sensation Tyla Emerges As Breakout Artist On Apple Music’s 2024 Year End Charts
Tyla gained immediate fame with her 2019 debut single “Getting Late.” However, 2024 marked her global breakthrough. Her “popiano” hit “Water” reached Apple Music’s Global Daily Top 100 in late 2023, peaking in the top 10 by November. Tracks from her debut album Tyla hit the Daily Top 100 in 140 countries. From November 2023 to October 2024, her streams outside Africa soared by over 500%, with huge growth in Japan (+2,000%), India (+1,300%), South Korea (+1,000%), and Italy (+800%). “Water” ranked No. 45 on Apple Music’s global songs chart and was one of the year’s top 15 pop songs. Tyla capped off the year with Grammy wins and two sold-out shows in South Africa.
MoBlack x UCT Choir Music Video
International DJ, MoBlack, Teams Up With UCT Choir For Captivating Sunsets-Inspired Music Video
Internationally acclaimed DJ and producer MoBlack has joined forces with South Africa’s iconic UCT Choir to release “Corona Sunsets Sessions x MoBlack,” a stunning music video celebrating Cape Town’s breathtaking sunsets. Featuring a reimagined rendition of ‘Yamore,’ co-created with Malian legend Salif Keita, the project blends the UCT Choir’s powerful vocals with MoBlack’s signature Afro House beats. Inspired by the Corona Sunsets Festival World Tour, this collaboration highlights South Africa’s cultural and natural treasures, with evocative visuals and a mesmerizing dance performance set against the backdrop of Table Mountain’s golden hues.
SA Hip Hop On Rap Life Africa List
Apple Music Celebrates The Resurgence Of Mzansi Hip-Hop With Four Newcomers On The Cover Of Rap Life Africa
Rap Life Africa has spotlighted hip-hop’s rising stars to close out the year on Apple Music. Usimamane, Tony Dayimane, Ziggy4x, and KindlyNxsh, have brought fresh energy to the scene, dominating charts with their standout releases. Usimamane’s viral hit “Cheque” led to his debut album topping the Apple Music charts, while Tony Dayimane’s Red October: Induction featured top artists like Okmalumkoolkat. Ziggy4x’s EP Gangsta Baby introduced Cape Town’s unique sound, and KindlyNxsh’s “Eish Chief” received a high-profile remix from Nasty C, cementing their status as hip-hop’s new heavy hitters.
Zethu Gqola’s New Podcast
Zethu Gqola’s Podcast, Quiet Conversations, Unpacks The Moments That Shape The Music Industry
Following her win of the GLAMOUR Women of the Year Next Gen Game Changer Award, music marketing strategist Zethu Gqola has launched Quiet Conversations, a podcast in collaboration with Quiet Life Co. The podcast explores the creative minds of South Africa’s renowned music artists. With nearly 300,000 TikTok followers, Zethu leverages her influence to delve into pop culture and socio-political topics, now focusing on her music business insights. Her career spans fashion journalism, music festival marketing, and international artist tours, with recent years in music marketing. Quiet Conversations dissects iconic moments in music, exploring the creative processes behind groundbreaking projects.
“The Last Ranger” At The Oscars
South African Short Film “The Last Ranger” Eyes Historic Nomination For The Upcoming 2025 Oscars
The South African film industry celebrates a historic achievement as The Last Ranger is shortlisted for the 97th Academy Awards. Directed by Cindy Lee, the film is among 15 contenders for a nomination in the Best Live Action Short Film category at the 2025 Oscars. Produced by Six Feet Films and supported by Anele Mdoda, The Last Ranger explores rhino poaching and conservation in South Africa. Following Litha and the last ranger, Khuselwa, the story takes a tragic turn with a poacher ambush. Cindy Lee shares, “To have an IsiXhosa film about rhino poaching in the running for an Oscar makes me so proud!”
Khuzani Topping Apple Music Charts
Khuzani Becomes the First Maskandi Artist To Top Apple Music’s Album Chart
Apple Music celebrates KwaZulu-Natal-born singer-songwriter Khuzani as his album Angidlali Nezingane becomes the first Maskandi album to reach No. 1 on the Apple Music All Genre Album Chart in South Africa. “I’m absolutely overwhelmed with gratitude!” Khuzani shared. “Seeing my album top the Apple charts is a dream come true. We poured our hearts, souls, and countless hours into creating something special. This achievement wouldn’t be possible without our fans, collaborators, and Apple Music for providing a platform. This milestone is not just a triumph for us, but for everyone who believes in the power of music to unite, inspire, and uplift.” The success marks a cultural breakthrough for Maskandi music, with three albums from the genre in the Top 10 (as by end November 2024) by Mthandeni SK, Inkos’yamagcokama and Khuzani.
Berco Wilsenach’s Exhibition Extended
Berco Wilsenach’s Interactive Art Exhibition At Spier Wine Farm Explores The Cosmos Through Touch And Sight
Due to popular demand, Extracts from the Blind Astronomer, an extension of Berco Wilsenach’s acclaimed Project for the Blind Astronomer, is now on display at Spier Wine Farm until January 12, 2025. This immersive exhibition, which explores themes of sensory experience, inclusivity, and the cosmos, features works created over five years. Central to the exhibition is Star Atlas, a Braille-encoded book that allows both sighted and visually impaired visitors to explore the universe in unique ways. Another key piece, Stone Universe, invites visitors to interact with puzzles, allowing them to “become the Master of the Universe.” Entrance to the exhibition is free.
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