Musical Directors - Ambesa Cagwe & Loyiso Nyoka
Creative Director - Junaid Douglas
Production Manager - Thoriso Sabelo
Makeup & Design - Junaid Douglas & Zukhanye Stassia Nyeka
Artistic Directors Executive Producer — Kutlwano Kepadisa
Producers — The Kwantu Choir Dreamers

Cast:

Othandwayo Ntozini
Sisonke Norman
Mihlali Ngeju
Aphiwe Nyengane
Wandifadza Zharare
Zizipho Ngoqo
Azizipho Ngoqo
Siyamthanda Stamper
Thembisa Dube
Likhona Tshwati
Hlomlokuhle Mvubu
Owam Taleng
Phumla Njapha
Indiphile Tolibadi
Ayabulela Yapi
Loyiso Mconi
Zukhanye Stassia Nyeka
Kalypso Gacula
Siyazamkela Nyeka
Buhle Nobatyi
Hlomla Ncula
Mbasa Mconi
Thoriso Sebola
Emihle Nokama
Yamkela Stof
Yanga Mzizi
Uminathi Sani
S'bonga Skeyi
Alutha Ngxingo
Corey Botha
Linamandla Landzela
Siviwe Wonci
Sanalwami Dlamini
Sbulelo Makhathini
Thimna Dipa
Nqobile Gxashe
Zanda Mbangatha
Ashandra Roberts
Yanga Tapi
Zenizole Adam
Ndumiso Ndumo
Zazi Mxotwa
Esihle Ndibaza
Msindise Adam
Busisiwe Thwala
Sinoh Tshiki
Alulutho Nongwana

Conductor: Loyiso Nyoka
Loyiso Nyoka is a South African conductor, composer, and arranger whose work spans classical, jazz, gospel, and African choral traditions. Largely self-taught but mentored by established choral leaders, he has built his craft through deep collaboration and intensive experience. As Conductor of the Makhanda Kwantu Choir, he has conducted over 500 youth voices at the annual Masicule Festival, was selected as the 2026 conducting student at the Mzansi Conductors Convention under Dr. Paul D. Head (USA), and has collaborated with acclaimed artists including Msaki, Zoë Modiga, and Dumza Maswana. Loyiso has also been a part of several National Arts Festival Ovation Award-winning productions. Beyond performance, he is deeply committed to music education and community outreach, maintaining a leadership philosophy centered on collaboration, inclusivity, and empowerment. He regards the choir as his primary instrument, viewing conducting as a way to unlock expressive capacity and share joy at the highest level. Outside of music, Loyiso is an avid reader, historian, runner, and mathematician—pursuits that inform the intellectual and emotional depth of his artistry.

Conductor: Ambesa Cagwe
Ambesa Cagwe is a South African choral composer, conductor, and musician based in Makhanda, Eastern Cape. He is the founder and conductor of the Kwantu Foundation Choir—the youth-focused developmental choir of Kwantu Designs NPC—and is widely recognized for his award-winning choral compositions. As a conductor, Ambesa works closely with young singers to cultivate musical excellence, artistic confidence, and personal growth. His work is centered on creating meaningful artistic experiences that combine high-quality choral performance with storytelling, cultural expression, and community engagement. Ambesa has been integral to the conceptualization and direction of numerous choral productions and performances, with a particular focus on creating innovative works that explore themes of identity, transformation, and social change. Through his leadership in composition, conducting, vocal training, and arts management, singers are encouraged to develop not only as musicians but also as confident young leaders and active contributors to society.

Creative Director: Junaid Douglas
Junaid Douglas is a multidisciplinary creative, makeup artist, and visual storyteller based in Makhanda. Working across beauty, fashion, film, photography, and digital media, their work is rooted in individuality, identity, and self-expression. As the founder of SlayedbyJunaid, Junaid has developed a distinct creative style that blends transformative makeup artistry with narrative, creating visuals that feel both intimate and striking. Their work is heavily inspired by editorial beauty, queer artistry, contemporary cinema, and fashion culture—often combining softness, drama, and experimentation to create emotionally resonant imagery. Alongside makeup and beauty, Junaid works within content creation as a creative director, photographer, and visual artist with a strong passion for community-building. Whether directing productions, conceptualizing shoots, or creating digital content, they are deeply interested in crafting work that feels intentional, immersive, and authentic. Their creative practice exists at the intersection of art, culture, and community, celebrating identity through beauty and visual media.

Artistic Director: Kutlwano Kepadisa
Kutlwano Kepadisa is a conductor, choirmaster, arranger, curator, and multidisciplinary producer based in Johannesburg, Gauteng. Born in Soshanguve, Tshwane, he matriculated in Johannesburg and went on to pursue his studies in Instrumental Music Studies and Economics at Rhodes University. During his time in Makhanda, he balanced his academic pursuits with extensive work as a conductor and producer, serving as Director of Music at the Cathedral of St Michael and St George and leading the Makana Choir School programme. He also served as the Choral Director of the annual Masicule Festival, the Rhodes University Chamber Choir, and multiple high school ensembles. Now operating as a freelance conductor, music director, and consultant in Johannesburg, Kutlwano works with various choirs and artists across Gauteng, and currently serves as the Head of Praise and Worship at St Gabriel's Anglican Church in Florida. Kutlwano is the founder and Artistic Director of Kwantu Designs NPC, which manages both the Makhanda Kwantu Choir and the Kwantu Foundation Choir. An active voice in the creative economy, he has served on adjudication panels for various festivals and competitions, is a Business and Arts South Africa (BASA) affiliated member, a Common Purpose alumnus, and a graduate of the inaugural Cultural Producers Programme powered by the British Council. Under his direction, productions have earned numerous accolades, including a Silver Diploma at the World Choir Games, six Standard Bank Ovation Awards (four achieving Category Bronze), and two ATKV Applous Gold Awards (Prestige Category). Throughout his career, Kutlwano has collaborated with some of South Africa’s most celebrated artists and Standard Bank Young Artist (SBYA) laureates, including Bongani Ndodana-Breen, Msaki, and Zoë Modiga, as well as icons such as Vusi Mahlasela, Sibongile Khumalo, Zahara, Mandisi Dyantyis, Dumza Maswana, Nomfundo Xaluva, Alby Michaels, and Mandla Mbothwe.