A Decade of Structural Impact

Established in 2013, the project began with a modest mobility fund supported by the British Council and has since evolved into one of the African continent’s most influential music development blueprints. Concerts SA has continuously invested in artist mobility, venue development, audience growth, research, skills development, and music-sector sustainability.

Its collective milestone figures and impacts include:

• Massive Regional Reach: Active operations span all nine South African provinces and 11 Southern African countries.
• Empowering the Creative Sector: The project has directly and indirectly supported more than 29,000 artists and music-sector practitioners since its launch.
• Activating Civic Spaces: More than 2,000 venues, local festivals, and community spaces have participated in and been revitalized by Concerts SA programmes over the years.
• Pioneering Night-Time Economy Research: The initiative helped pioneer some of South Africa’s earliest research into the night-time economy, laying the groundwork for broader conversations about culture-led urban development.
• Global SDG Alignment: The project aligns closely with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, championing decent work, reduced inequalities, and social inclusion.

A Legacy of Excellence & Full-Circle Moments

Receiving the award in Hull represented a deeply symbolic, full-circle moment for the initiative. In 2012, a small South African delegation attended The Great Escape festival in Brighton through support facilitated by the British Council. Fourteen years later, the project returned to the United Kingdom to receive one of the music sector’s most prestigious international honours. This global win builds upon a long, celebrated history of milestones:

2017–2018: The Royal Norwegian Embassy received back-to-back Business and Arts South Africa (BASA) Awards for its transformative cultural diplomacy and access via the project.

2019: The project’s Concerts for Refugees (partnering with the Turquoise Harmony Institute) received the UN Pioneers in SDGs Project Stakeholders Award during the UN General Assembly in New York.

Present Day: Active structural support continues via the Festival Enterprise Catalyst (FEC) project, backed by the South African National Treasury’s Jobs Fund and Pro Helvetia.

Leadership Reflections

André Le Roux, Project Founder and Cultural Strategist: “There’s a piece of graffiti near the entrance to the Adelphi Club in Hull that reads, ‘You’ve come a long way, baby.’ That resonated deeply. It’s been a long journey—not just the flight from South Africa, but the work of keeping a live music development project alive for more than a decade.

This award does not belong to any one organisation. It belongs to the thousands of artists, venues, promoters, festivals, and cultural workers who trusted this project with their livelihoods and their art. We accept this award with humility, gratitude, and a renewed commitment to building sustainable live music ecosystems across Southern Africa.” 

Annabell Lebethe, Chief Executive Officer of SAMRO: “Concerts SA remains a cornerstone of SAMRO’s corporate social responsibility, fueling small and micro-enterprises within the creative sectors. By consistently supporting artist mobility and performance infrastructure, this program has injected measurable sustainability into the live music industry for more than ten years. We are immensely proud to back a value chain that uplifts composers and musicians alike.”

The organizations extended special tribute to founding partners SAMRO and the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Pretoria, alongside current partners, and honored the tireless dedication of project managers Nailla Dollie and Violet Maila, the internal research team led by Gwen Ansell, and core team members James French, Christine Msibi, and Lesego Maforah.

Future Outlook

For Concerts SA and IKS Cultural Consulting, the award affirms a simple but enduring belief: Live music is more than entertainment—it is social infrastructure, cultural memory, and economic opportunity. It remains one of the most powerful tools available for strengthening human connection and community life. As Southern Africa continues to navigate economic and social challenges, the organizations see the award not as a culmination, but as a renewed call to action.

Looking forward, Concerts SA is leveraging its partnership with the Festival Enterprise Catalyst (FEC) to accelerate enterprise development, sustain the gig economy, and secure livelihoods for artists and creative technicians across the sub-continent.

Media Enquiries & Contact Information

• Primary Contacts: IKS Cultural Consulting / Concerts SA
• Media Lead: Christine Msibi — Christine@iksafrica.com
• General Email: hello@iksafrica.com
• Phone: +27 83 419 5764