The Standard Bank Joy of Jazz festival presents the Jazz Wise Youth Music Business Workshop, which will be hosted on the 17th of September from 09:00 to 16:30 at the Joburg Theatre in Braamfontein. The workshop will provide students with access to leading professionals in the South African music industry to learn from, engage and network with. It will feature various panels led by respected figures from the music business industry, who will share their expertise on matters required for long-term success.
Standard Bank believes it is essential to support young musicians in developing a strong business mindset. Jazz Wise is a platform for musicians who are encouraged to empower themselves with knowledge, skills, networks and business principles that can help them build dynamic and sustainable enterprises from their artistry. This includes topics and areas of focus such as songwriting, A&R, recording, knowledge acquisition, publishing, marketing, investment and sustainability.
The Jazzwise workshop will be facilitated by singer, TV presenter and creative entrepreneur Pilani Bubu, a SAMA award-winning artist and producer of the Folklore Festival. She brings experience in brand-building, budgeting, grant applications, deal-making and producing other artists.
The first panel will discuss ‘Risk Capital for Culture’, which asks the question, ‘Who funds what?’ Panelists include Violet Maila, who leads the Music in Africa Foundation’s South African operations and the Music in Africa Live tour grant programme. Violet works directly with artists, venues and funders to help African music tour across borders. Dorine Lebreton, Deputy Director at IFAS, will also join the panel. She leads the French Institute’s music and performing arts programmes across South Africa and oversees funding for artist residencies, touring and Franco-African collaborations through Africa-links, Visa for Music and JazzLab. Caroline Christgau, Project Coordinator for Music and Creative Economy at Goethe-Institut Johannesburg, completes the panel. With a background in cultural management, Caroline designs programmes that support collaborations, workshops and touring for African artists.
The second panel is titled ‘From Classrooms to the Global Stage’ and asks, ‘Can talent alone hold it down?’ Panelists include Dr Phuti Sepuru, a jazz pianist, educator and musicologist who sees music as a tool for change and for building stronger communities. She will be joined by Chantal-Willie Petersen, a composer, arranger, bassist, vocalist, arts researcher and lecturer. Panelist Ziza Muftic is a Croatian-born jazz vocalist and composer based in South Africa, known for her soulful voice and modern approach to traditional sounds. The final panelist is guitarist Vuma Levin, Standard Bank Young Artist Award winner for jazz and a seasoned musician and composer.
The third panel for the day is ‘Purpose Value Versus Industry Value’, asking, ‘Can you stay true to your why and still get paid?’ The panel will be hosted by Tumi Mogorosi, drummer, author and academic with more than a decade of experience as a performer and music industry practitioner. Internet Athi is a young singer-songwriter whose music has reached more than a million streams without being attached to a record label, achieving significant success while remaining independent. Ndumiso Manana is a musician, producer and founder of Manana Music, and is the 2026 Standard Bank Young Artist for Music. Finally, Nontando Mokoena is the Project Manager for the SAMPRA Development Fund at the South African Music Performance Rights Association. She plays a key role in administering funding, driving industry regulations and championing artist development within South Africa’s music industry.
The workshop is aimed at young musicians and is designed to support their career development, provide a platform to network with professionals and encourage them to pursue their passions. The event will also serve as a platform for the intake of interns for the year. It is aimed at high school students, university students and young professionals.
“Empowerment is access. When young musicians and students step into spaces like Jazz Wise, they must leave with more than inspiration they must leave with industry knowledge, real networks, and the confidence to turn talent into enterprise. Our job is to open the doors, bring the right people into the room, and ensure the next generation doesn’t just watch the industry they lead it” says Mantwa Chinoamadi CEO and curator of the Joy of Jazz festival.
Standard Bank Group Head of Sponsorship, Bonga Sebesho, says, “Jazz Wise reflects Standard Bank’s commitment to driving Africa’s growth by investing in the next generation of creative talent. The workshop empowers young people with the knowledge, networks and entrepreneurial skills needed to navigate the music industry, grow sustainable careers from their craft, and contribute meaningfully to the future of South Africa’s creative economy.”
Event Details:
Date | Thursday, 17 September 2026
Venue | Joburg Theatre, Braamfontein
Time | 09:00 – 16:30
The 2026 Standard Bank Joy of Jazz is more than a music festival. It is a cultural and economic catalyst. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster:
● R1 150 – Friday/Saturday Day Pass, General Admission
● R2 250 – Weekend Pass | Friday and Saturday
Standard Bank cardholders qualify for up to 15% discount. The offer is limited to two tickets per person, and only on usage of a valid Standard Bank debit, cheque or credit card and is subject to availability (Ts & Cs apply).
Naomi Mokhele
Soweto Sunrise News
