MC of the JAA Homecoming event Keanetse, told the audience at the workshop that Johnny Dyani was born in Duncan Village and therefore that “he was one of us” there was a huge sigh of astonishment… “One of us?” this sigh signalled – “Are you sure? One of us who left the country, fought against apartheid from abroad, and got other people involved who fought with him and supported his cause – and then, to top it all – came back spiritually with his music and colleagues playing his music, keeping alive the memory and rich cultural roots of his South African home?” These sighs, not just one, but several, were sighs of pride, wonder and astonishment  – and joy to be part of this amazing story right there and then.

Skills Transfer: The main aim is what Germans call Nachwuchsförderung which is a nationally recognised tradition and policy by which knowledge and skills are purposefully transferred from the current generation to the next.

Veteran free-jazz musicians hold capacity building and training jazz workshops directed at interested and upcoming youth from the townships and rural areas.

Our struggle continues to restore cultural memory, sustainability and bring positive and lasting change to South Africa and the world. Jazz is a universal language representing freedom and is a catalyst for restorative justice through holistic music education including creative industry, mentorship and cultural exchange. #nachwuchs

Musical instruments of all categories including strings, percussion and brass are rehearsed for performance in a group setting (collaboration). The vision is to A partner with universities, offering jazz, culture and development courses; and B: Grow the music tuition into the long-term creation of a resident Jazz Against Apartheid youth band in the Eastern Cape.

Collaborations: Musical collaborations include skills transfer, visitor exchanges and workshops for a new generation of artistic directors and composers, virtuoso and community representatives, diverse participants from multiple community centres and education institutions, and new musical collaborations, arrangements and narratives to overcome the divisions created by the history of colonialism and clear the path to unity, exchange and emancipation.

Musical collaborators come together in physical musical meetings and collaborations. These are enhanced through regular online engagements.

Donor Driven: As a grassroots initiative largely supported by churches and civil society. The 2024 crowdfunding campaign is currently active at afribeat.com

Government Support: The event is supported by the Eastern Cape Development Corporation and is recipient of the OR Tambo Presidential Direction in Silver.

Online Dialogues: Sessions begin in November 2024 to introduce collaborators and begin a regular form of online communications, engagements, resources and archiving. 

Physical Concerts: Hallmark of the initiative is the Live at the Biko Centre annual musical collaborations. These are filmed and streamed on the internet to audiences worldwide.