Jazz for the Revolution

As Jazz is an umbrella for activism, this initiative adds impetus to the movement for Rural advancement in the Eastern Cape, a province 2/3rds rural. The initiative provides skills transfer and on-the-job training for small businesses and entrepreneurs and employs on average  60 people per annum.

IMVUSELELO The Jazz Heritage of Eastern Cape is the third annual iteration of Jazz Against Apartheid in South Africa providing Skills Transfer, New Resources and opportunities through Collaboration and Co-operation. Founded in 1986 in Frankfurt by Eastern Cape composer Johnny Dyani and Frankfurt activist Jurgen Leinhos. Recipient of the OR Tambo Presidential direction (2021) for its contribution to improving the lives of the oppressed. .  is an inspiring vehicle for dialogue, cultural memory, activism and influence. Returned to South Africa in 2022 with the support of former exiles in Germany Vusi Mchunu and Professor Peggy Luswazi. 2024 A luta Continua is a watershed year of collaboration as we move into new narratives, new collaborations and ideas expanding the multiplier effect for jazz music with a sharing of techniques and narratives on approaches to making music, history and heritage, musical collaboration and composition.

Key anniversaries are 30 year of democracy and 35 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall, formation of the government of National Unity and in  2025, 30 years of twinning Lower Saxony and Eastern Cape in 2025.

The collaboration is made possible through the support of Eastern Cape Development Corporation, and the Steve Biko Centre. To date the initiative has brought over 30 musicians from three continents together engaging communities, academies, universities, audiences in two provinces and is a fixed feature of the Eastern Cape jazz landscape. Eastern Cape is a breeding ground for innovative musicians, leaders and fine artists who have drawn inspiration from the region’s diverse cultural heritage. The vibrant legacy of arts and culture was at its height in the 1950s. World class musicians hailed from all of the region such as the famous Matshikiza Brothers, Nomvete and international legends Dudu Pukwana, Pinise Saul and of course Johnny Dyani who made a mark on the world stage during the anti-apartheid struggle.  The combination of “Nachwuchsforderung” (transfer of societal values, knowledge and skills to the next generation) and “Imvuselelo” revival of the richness of Eastern Cape is not only for music but includes agriculture, cultural tourism and a creating new income paradigms.