Moziak Top 8 Must Watch In Culture 2019

What does it take to make it on a “Must Watch List”? A heated debate we’ve had in the office for the past two months. We had separate lists for the different industries. Then we decided to narrow our selection to a Top 20 across the board, which then became a Top 10, and we finally landed on a solid Top 8 list of young Africans that we believe are going to make a mark for their generation and we can expect to see some great things from them in 2019.

 

After lots of research, discussions and debate, we are proud to announce our inaugural Moziak Top 8 Must Watch In Culture for 2019.

 

Thank you to Terry Pheto, Anthony Farr, Siya “Slikour” Metane and Lesley Mofokeng who contributed their opinion on some of the people we have listed for you to watch in 2019.

 

In no particular order, please meet:

 

Akosua Koranteng (beauty)

Mphil African Studies scholar, Akosua Koranteng, is the founder of Anim Naturals, a Cape Town based cosmetics company that manufactures natural hair and skincare products made from sustainably sourced ingredients from across the African continent.

 

Last year saw Akosua achieve a huge milestone by getting Anim Naturals stocked in Clicks stores nationwide which is no small feat.

 

On a mission to empower people to feel beautiful, naturally, Akosua’s vision through Anim Naturals is to provide people with products that are naturally and sustainably sourced. She believes that a focus on natural ingredients also speaks to an acceptance of one’s natural beauty.

 

Anthony Farr – Ceo of Allan and Gill Gray Philanthropies and Allan Gray Orbis Foundation Endowment shares: “Akosua is a remarkable individual who is determined to realise the full potential of the African continent.  What is impressive about Akosua is that she is able to communicate a powerful vision as to how her products are part of a larger narrative of re-imagining how this continent can and should express itself. She is a deep thinker and this is reflected in her understanding, not just of the detail of her range, but its impact on African identity.”

 

Connect with Akosua Koranteng:

Facebook: Anim Naturals

Twitter: @AkosuaKoranteng / @AnimNaturals

Instagram: @AkosuaKoranteng /@AnimNaturals

Website: www.animnaturals.co.za

 

Ami Faku (music)

With a voice that commands the attention of any room she sings in, Ami Faku is a rare musical gem from the Eastern Cape that will undoubtedly be one of the most important voices to come out of South Africa in the twenty-tens.

 

Dubbed the “Voice of Modern Afro-Pop”, Ami Faku made a remarkable entry into the music industry last year with the gifted ability to work with various musical genres. This has made her a regular feature on the RAMS Top 100 Chart in the country with songs in genres such as Afro Soul, House & Pop. Her debut single Ndikethe Wena is still charting on key radio stations across the country such as the Metro FM Top 40 Chart and the Ukhozi FM Top 20 Chart.

 

You can listen to some of her singles here: Ndikethe Wena, Ungowam, Lose You, Babuyile.

 

With talks of an album to be released this year, we believe the spotlight will be on Ami Faku and more people will get to know her name and fall in love with her music as have some of the music industry’s toughest critics.

 

Lesley Mofokeng – Renowned Entertainment Editor shares: “With her unique approach to modern Afro-Pop, Ami Faku will change the sound and feel of African music. She will usher in a new phase and reach the iconic status of the likes of Sade, Tracy Chapman, Aretha Franklin, Siphiwe Dana, Alicia Keys, Brenda Fassie and Busi Mhlongo.”

 

Connect with Ami Faku:

Facebook: Ami Faku Music

Twitter: @Ami_Faku

Instagram: @Ami_Faku

YouTube: https://youtu.be/7y6Ui78bWZw

 

Amonge Sinxoto (social)

18-year-old Amonge Sinxoto is the co-founder of an African youth organisation called Blackboard Africa. The platform aims to harness youth engagement with African narratives told authentically. We see Amonge as a leader because she felt there was no platform for her and her peers to engage with the rest of the world authentically, and instead of complaining or sitting back, she took action and created a movement!

 

Amonge wants to redefine and model how people in the world view our African identity and move away from negative, preconceived, colonial settings. With Blackboard Africa she seeks to paint a beautiful picture on a clean “blackboard” through the eyes of the vibrant youth, by stimulating them to find their voices and to celebrate their identity by equipping them with mentorship and leadership training.

 

2018 saw Amonge travel the world and lend her voice to key conversations at conferences and summits such as the Global Citizen Next 100 Summit, Ted X Talk and Black Girls Rock just to highlight a few. And she still managed to pass matric with the class of 2018 with distinctions!

 

Terry Photo – International award-winning actress, producer and entrepreneur shares: “A born leader, advocate for the youth and an inspiring role model, Amonge has managed to make her global mark with grace and humility at such a tender age. Her passion for education and the youth of Africa gives us hope that the future is in good hands. She’s definitely “the one we’ve been waiting for” and it’s encouraging to know that as she grows in leaps and bounds, she’s taking everyone with her through her organisation, Blackboard Africa.”

 

Connect with Amonge Sinxoto:

Facebook: Blackboard Africa

Twitter: @BlackboardAfrica / @a_mongi

Instagram: @Blackboard_Africa / @a_monge

Website: www.blackboardafrica.com

 

DJ Arch Jnr (music)

At just 6 years old, DJ Arch Jnr has all the right ingredients to be SA’s next big musical export. He recently made an impression on a world stage with his appearance on America’s Got Talent which could lead to his big break this year as all eyes are on him.

 

“South Africa to the World” – Black Coffee

 

“Six. Years. Old. This is the future!” Terry Crews

 

Watch DJ Arch Jnr’s America’s Got Talent performance here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QH535hniug

 

Our Managing Editor first met the little super star when he was 2 years old doing a live DJ demonstration on Metro FM. The journey of DJ Arch Jnr has been that of consistency. He went on to win SA’s Got Talent at age 3 and made it into the Guinness World Record books as the youngest club DJ in the world.

 

Already an ambassador for brands like Edgars and Jungle Oats, and with a supportive family which sees his father manage him, DJ Arch Jnr is perfectly positioned for a long and fruitful career and we can’t wait to see what he has in store for us this year.

 

Connect with DJ Arch Jnr:

Facebook: DJ Arch Jnr

Twitter: @DJArchJnr

Instagram: @DJArchJnr

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bL6X9y5iKCA&app=desktop

 

Dr Esther Rockson (health)

Passionate about the work she does and people, Dr Esther Rockson has had her eyes set on success since she was a teenager. She matriculated at age 15, graduated from medical school at age 21, completed her fellowship in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at age 29 and became South Africa’s first black female aesthetic Gynaecologist in the country last year at age 31. She is the epitome of Black Excellence.

 

Dr Esther Rockson recently opened a private practice in Sandton, Johannesburg and as SA’s first black female aesthetic Gynaecologist, we believed she’s primed to make a difference in female aesthetic gynaecological health care for years to come.

 

Connect with Dr Esther Rockson:

Facebook: Esther Rockson

Instagram: @DrRocksonPrac / @Mrs_Eroc

Website: Dr Rockson Practice

 

Jabu Nkosi (photography)

Jabu Nkosi describes his work as “the ardour to create”. He’s a young, energetic, passionate photographer with a good eye for detail who sparked the country’s attention in 2017 with his iconic #FillUpFNBStadium image.

 

Most know him as Cassper Nyovest’s personal photographer, but upon further investigation, Jabu has an impressive photography website portfolio that doesn’t include a single image of Cassper Nyovest. This tells us that he is a man with a vision. His portfolio includes weddings, people and travel.

 

Being on the road with Cassper Nyovest is a full-time job and would make a lot of people comfortable to have that as their sole job. It’s inspiring to see a young man put in the extra effort to not only diversify his portfolio but to be accessible to others.

 

By virtue of being so close to Cassper Nyovest and the growth trajectory that he is currently facing, Jabu is advantageously positioned to capture images of some of the world’s biggest celebrities, as well as expand his network which could yield in new and exciting opportunities for him.

 

Connect with Jabu Nkosi:

Facebook: Jabu Nkosi 

Instagram: @JabuKiing

Website: www.jabunkosi.co.za

 

Kolawole “Kola” Olajide (tech)

Kola Olajide has received many nods over the years for his innovative approach to e-learning with his company Clock Education which offers a dynamic and bespoke take on learning.

 

His accolades include a Microsoft technology partnership, a R500,000 innovation prize at the annual SAB innovation awards, a United Nations recognition for best innovation in education to meet the UN’s Millennium Development Goals and even made the Forbes Under 30 list last year.

 

At 26/27 we believe Kola is just getting started. As is true with many global tech players, Kola has now made the shift to partner and invest in other tech businesses and with the leverage of his personal achievements, it will be interesting to see his next big move which we believe will surpass the impact he has made with Clock Education. Off the back of the Forbes Under 30 list, we believe 2019 will be a strategic year for Kola as he rides that wave and we’ll be watching.

 

Connect with Kolawole “Kola” Olajide:

Facebook: Kolawole Olajide

Instagram: @Kolajide1

Website: clock.education

 

Manu WorldStar (music)

Manu WorldStar is a name to remember. The Johannesburg born, South African artist of Congolese descent had us singing “Nalingi Yooo, Mama, Mama” for the whole last quarter of 2018 and is still on our playlist this Valentine’s Month.

 

Competing in several Hip Hop competitions that didn’t go his way, Manu WorldStar’s release of Nalingi last year was a game changing move for him which now sees him in a completely differently lane and positioned to be one of Africa’s next big rising acts.

 

The Pan African music community took notice of Nalingi with the single charting in territories such as the UK, Nigeria, Zambia, Botswana and at home in South Africa where he featured at number 1 on more than 20 charts across radio & TV and is currently still charting on the RAMS Top 100 Chart.

 

With his pending new single release and features on radio, 2019 is looking bright for Manu WorldStar.

 

Siya “Slikour” Metane – music entrepreneur and musician shares: “Since the Vuzu Hustle house Manu WorldStar always seemed hard headed and determined to get his way. The difference with real life is that it’s not a TV show and artists have real challenges. His fighting spirit and headstrong attitude has not only kept him in the game but eventually helped him find a sound. This sound has been a song that people have been singing without knowing who he is. It’s only the fighters that make it in this game and I think 2018 was the foundation of where he can go as an artist. I believe he has a lot to give and if he continues this way, he will be amongst the big names that have raised the South African flag.”

 

Connect with Manu WorldStar:

Facebook: Manu WorldStar

Twitter: @Manu_WorldStar

Instagram: @Manu_WorldStar

YouTube: https://youtu.be/OD_RqTHbIE4