Local performing artists have recently had an opportunity to showcase their talents at the CoCreate Hub in Stellenbosch.
The Lunchtime Concerts are a series of events hosted at the CoCreate Hub, according to Paul Roviss Khambule, the managing director of Lokxion Foundation, and the organiser of the concerts. The concerts were first implemented at the end of September, and are currently hosted every Thursday, Friday and Saturday between 12:30 and 14:00, said Khambule.
“The Lunchtime Concerts is a platform to provide an opportunity for local, talented performing artists to showcase their work,” said Marli Goussard, the enterprise development manager at Ranyaka Community Transformation (Ranyaka).
“Music is just all-inclusive, and that’s why music is a universal language,” said Susan Yallop, programme and systems consultant at Ranyaka Community Transformation, and the CoCreate Hub manager. Yallop, who often watches the performances that form part of the Lunchtime Concerts at the CoCreate Hub, noted that she was blown away by the performance of a young woman who has little prior training, but is an opera singer. “Music is a gift,” said Yallop. “And it touches the heart and the soul.” PHOTO: Caitlin Maledo
Lokxion Foundation is a Kayamandi-based organisation that promotes the development of sport and performing arts in local townships. The foundation partnered with the CoCreate Hub to “bring the element of performing arts into the space”, said Khambule.
Making it work
Khambule told MatieMedia that getting artists to perform is expensive, and as such, generating funding for the Lunchtime Concerts project is one of the biggest challenges.
“We all know art is expensive,” said Khambule, in written correspondence with MatieMedia. “[Lokxion Foundation] still doesn’t have proper sound equipment, but we said let’s use what we have and we will build on it.”
Paul Roviss Khambule, the managing director of Lokxion Foundation, talks about some of the challenges that Lokxion Foundation faces in making the Lunchtime Concerts at the CoCreate Hub a success. AUDIO: Caitlin Maledo
The concerts at the hub are usually attended by between two and fifteen people, said Khambule. As the concerts run over the lunchtime period, during which university students are often at the hub, students make up the target audience, he added.
“The space is within the student center, so you will expect a young crowd,” said Khambule. “Some people will come on the day, and it’s a gospel artist, and the other day it will [be a] rapper. We cater for everyone.”
While Khambule considers all the events a success, he adds that the concerts on Saturdays are best attended.
Promoting economic inclusivity
Goussard told MatieMedia that as the hub is a space that promotes economic inclusivity, she felt it was important to extend that inclusivity to local artists who need exposure.
“We understand that it’s very difficult at the moment for live performing artists to earn an income, because events are not happening yet, due to Covid[-19]. So, we wanted to create a […] safe space, in an outdoor environment, where they could showcase their work,” said Goussard.
Many artists who come to perform at the Lunchtime Concerts are not aware of how talented they are, according to Susan Yallop, the programme and systems consultant at Ranyaka, and the CoCreate Hub manager.
“For me, it’s […] the raw talent that’s out there and the fact that people don’t know they have it,” said Yallop.
Marlon Present, a local rapper and producer known as NatureSTB, noted that his love for music drove his decision to perform at the concerts.
“[Lokxion Foundation] are trying to build something – an art – and it’s music that I love. Even if it’s for free, I will always come out,” said Present, on what the concerts mean to him.
Marlon Present, a local rapper known by his stage name, NatureSTB, has been performing since 2018, and has participated in the recent Lunchtime Concerts at the CoCreate Hub. He now raps and produces music. “[Lokxion Foundation] is trying to build something – an art – and it’s music that I love,” said Present. PHOTO: Caitlin Maledo