We have opened a line: A space to listen, to archive, to honour those who journey with us.
We gather the voices of our collaborators.
Their thoughts, their stories, their frequencies.
We begin with Call+Continuum; a theme we explored through being commissioned by the Zeitz MOCAA Gala Collateral Programme, to curate sounds in celebration of the role South African women play in the creative industries. These are women who are not just making music, but holding memory.
Resisting erasure. Declaring existence.
The Call is loud, intentional, undeniable. The Continuum is subtle, generational, grounding.
We asked: What does Call + Continuum mean to you?
Through phone calls, voice notes and conversation, they answered.
There are their reflections. Their words become the archive. Their voices carry the line forward.
Thandeka Dladla, a multi-talented South African vocalist and composer, hails from the West Rand in Johannesburg and is currently based in Cape Town. Her musical journey began formally at the age of 11 or 12, attending the National School of the Arts where she studied classical voice and saxophone, before pursuing Jazz at the College of Music at the University of Cape Town, where she earned a BMus in Jazz Vocal Performance.
Beyond her formal training, Thandeka comes from a deeply musical family, surrounded by diverse genres since birth. She is not only a gifted vocalist but also a profound songwriter, crafting heart-touching and socially relevant music. Thandeka leads her own quintet and is a vital member of various bands, including the acclaimed 'The Unity Band,' whose 2023 release Breaking Bread caused a significant stir in the South African Jazz scene. Her highly anticipated debut solo album, Umnikelo, released in September 2023, has garnered rave reviews, solidifying her status within South Africa's vibrant jazz landscape.
A McKinsey Forward Fellow, Thandeka also possesses a Design Thinking qualification from UCT's Design Thinking School, further showcasing her diverse talents and intellectual curiosity. Whilst specific individual awards are not extensively detailed, her performances on "award-winning lifestyle programme 'Expresso Show'" highlight her recognised talent.