Dakawa Music Experience | Day One
ECDSRAC & ECAVC

Get ready to join us for 3 nights of bold sounds and unforgettable vibes.

Dakawa Music Experience, formally known as Dakawa Jazz, brings together the best local musicians for an electrifying experience. The Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture and the Eastern Cape Audio Visual Centre (ECAVC) are collaborating to bring a mix of young and established performers, showcasing different music genres to cater for different tastes. The sounds of jazz, gospel, hip-hop, reggae, maskhandi, R&B will be on offer as we bring this new music experience to the National Arts Festival.

But that’s not all, ECAVC, under the University of Fort Hare, is proud to introduce fresh, young talent from its Artistic Support Programme. They will hit the stage for the first time, bringing raw energy and soul stirring performances.

 

LINEUP FOR DAY 1:

Cinethemba Cwenza

Coceka Jojo

Ndumiso Usanele

'Simaaa' Simamkele Makabane Siwendu

Yolanda Notes

 

 

About the Artists

Cinethemba Cwenza

Cinethemba Cwenza is originally from Mtata and is currently residing in East London. He is a versatile musician who is a vocalist, composer, recording artist and live performer who manages himself as an independent artist. Cinethemba narrates his music in his native language isiXhosa, in Afro-Pop/Soul genre of music.

 

He has performed at numerous events including Berlin November, and in local clubs like Buccaneers. He has shared the stage with nationally recognised artists showcasing his live performances, promoting his unreleased music to develop new audiences and publicity. 

 

He was raised by a very musical family, who were church choir members, and that’s where his passion for music started, influencing  him to join and form groups such as Trio, Quartet, Choir within the family. In 2008, he formed a gospel group called the Last Chapter Ministries with the purpose of spreading the Word of God. The following year, he decided to move to Johannesburg with the objective of making a living through music. When he arrived he joined an organisation called Umkhombandlela, which focused on musical theatre, drama and poetry. He worked with them till 2014 and then joined another organisation, Ibuyil’ iAfrika, which also focused on musical theatre.

 

Film Features:

Cinethemba joined an Agency called “Face for Afrika” that was strictly for TV ads, and finally joined “Red Velvet Diamond”, that deals with all art forms including modelling & filming. Through this agency, he featured in numerous TV-Series like ISONO, NUMBER NUMBER, and GENERATION LEGACY to name a few. He obtained skills, experience and wide exposure, but in 2019 decided to further pursue his music as a solo artist and recorded a couple of songs that are not yet released. 

 

Coceka Jojo

Coceka Jojo is a committed and enthusiastic gospel musician. Her musical career started when she was young. She enrolled in Gamalakhe College in Kwa-Zulu Natal, where she concentrated on music and performance, perfecting her craft and finding her own voice. She gained a deep love for composing, and enhanced her musical skills through this important experience.

 

She is now a recording artist through the help of ECAVC in association with INSTATOLL, and is about to reach an important milestone - releasing her debut single. This will introduce her to a wider audience, and will reflect her different experiences, and the love she has for God.

 

Through her studies and musical pursuits, she has gained the valuable experience of working with legends of music, and her lecturers and colleagues have played significant roles in nurturing her in her career. Her university activities include participation in musical ensembles, and community outreach programmes that aim to promote music and its positive messages.

 

Simamkele Makabane Siwendu

Singer and songwriter, Simamkele Makabane Siwendu known as Simaaa, hails from Tsomo Qutsa eHashini Mdeni, Eastern Cape. She started music at an early age and decided that she would nurture and follow her passion. She started performing live in 2017 and recorded her first single called “Corona” and "Ukulwa Sodwa”.

 

Simaaa is well known in the Eastern Cape music scene. She has been featured in the annual Chris Hani Jazz Festival and Qhumanco Fashion Show. She continues to be part of their annual concert, and has also shared the stage with Bethusile Mcinga, DJ Tira and many more.

 

Her artistry and vocals range from a combination of sultry Afro Soul to African

contemporary music. She is inspired by a lineage of great vocalists namely Simphiwe Dana, Thandiswa Mazwai, Zahara and many other Afrocentric Soulful Singers.

 

Simaaa continues to be an inspiration to many, and has a growing audience, young and old. Her compositional style and approach is inspired and informed by real life occurrences and surroundings.

 

Yolanda Luzwati

Hailing from the quaint village of Qunu in the Eastern Cape, Yolanda Luzwati — known professionally as Yolanda Notes — is a soulful vocalist whose passion for music was kindled at an early age. Growing up in a family of church leaders at the Assemblies of God Church, her foundation in faith and community deeply influences her heartfelt performances. Her childhood was filled with singing in church, where she first discovered her love for music and developed her vocal talent.


Yolanda’s musical journey is rooted in jazz, which has shaped her distinctive vocal style and honed her craft. She is committed to delivering soulful, authentic performances that resonate with audiences, reflecting her dedication to her artistry and her faith.

 

In 2020, Yolanda Notes signed with Soul Clap Sessions, a reputable record label based in Mthatha, Eastern Cape. Currently, she is in the studio recording her debut album at the Mthatha Community Arts Centre, working alongside the acclaimed producer Musa Maki.

Since her signing, Yolanda has graced various stages and festivals, including:
- The Singqi Sethi Cultural Festival
- Sondela Youth Festival
- Black Management Forum National AGM 2021
- Drums and Landscape Tour 2022

 

Her highly anticipated debut single, “Love,” is set to be released in 2025, promising to showcase her unique vocal talent and soulful style.

 

  • Venue: Thomas Pringle
  • Location: Monument Building
  • Ticket price: ZAR 100.00
  • Programme type: EC Showcase
  • Genre: Music
  • Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
  • Ages: ALL AGES
Thomas Pringle
July 02, 2025 18:30 - 22:00