Jazz Against Apartheid (JAA) stood by the oppressed, fought the struggle, and won. And even after apartheid was dismantled, 30 years ago, JAA never stopped motivating for change. Apartheid may be over but the struggle for equal access, equal opportunities and long-term sustainable economic emancipation for all, continues. Today our cause is jazz for Rural Development.

Jazz is freedom. The international experience and co-operation around South African Jazz in Exile, built a network of friendships and support worldwide that not only nurtured hope, change and equality, but preserved a legacy of liberation and the mind-set for change-making.  

The main aim is what the Germans call nachwuchsförderung. What is this? Nachwuchsförderung is a conscious policy and practice of transferring societal values, knowledge and skills to the next generation.

The development begins within. And the best way to water our seeds of potential is through music. JAA provides music mentorship from a generation of international musical freedom fighters Mentorship includes on-the-job training, collaboration and knowledge sharing. Such music mentorship is a powerful foundation for emotional, spiritual, mental and business development.  

Education resources of the liberation era and methodology (that was almost destroyed by Apartheid) are preserved to empower community arts centres, music academies, music studios, heritage programmes and universities.

Through the principle of transferring funds raised through international music co-operatives into sustainable community gardening, Jazz for Rural Development aims to project the gains made through nachwuchsförderung into sustainable rural development.