Jazz Wise empowers young South African musicians
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In Johannesburg, South Africa, Joy of Jazz and Standard Bank launched Jazz Wise, a workshop designed to equip young musicians with business skills.
Mantwa Chinoamadi, CEO of Joy of Jazz, recognised a lack of financial literacy within the arts community and created the workshop to address it. Jazz Wise hosted panels with industry professionals to teach students about funding opportunities, contract negotiation, and intellectual property rights.
The workshop, intended for high school, university students, and young professionals, featured discussions led by SAMA award-winning artist Pilani Bubu. Panellists from organisations like Music in Africa Foundation, IFAS, and Goethe-Institut Johannesburg explained how to access funding and build international careers. Organisers believe talent alone isn’t enough for success, and that musicians also need to understand invoicing, royalty splits, and how to build sustainable income streams.
Beyond the one-day workshop, Joy of Jazz and Standard Bank will track participants for a year, monitoring their business registrations, secured gigs, and funded projects. They aim to build a generation of musicians who not only create art but also understand the business side of the industry and can build lasting careers. The first workshop will be held on September 17, 2026, at the Joburg Theatre.
