Johannesburg, South Africa – In a significant boost for the continent’s creative economy, the Soul Candi Institute of Music and Record Label—South Africa’s premier nexus of creative education and industry innovation—has officially launched its new academic cycle, kicking off a sweeping national campaign to recruit the country’s most promising musical talent. This strategic drive, running from now until the second week of February 2026, is a clarion call to aspiring musicians, producers, DJs, vocalists, songwriters, and music entrepreneurs, inviting them to transform raw passion into professional mastery.
The campaign is built on the formidable legacy of an institution whose alumni roster reads like a who’s who of South African music. World-renowned artists such as Shimza, DJ Zinhle, J’Something, and Dwson began their journeys within Soul Candi’s studios and classrooms. Today, Soul Candi graduates are not just performers; they are thriving across the entire music value chain, building careers in music production, composition, songwriting, audio engineering, mixing and mastering, as well as artist management, asset management, and a host of related creative and business disciplines that power the modern music industry.
A New Era: The Live DJ School Takes Centre Stage
Highlighting this new cycle is the official launch of Soul Candi’s Live DJ School, a cutting-edge programme designed to fast-track aspiring selectors and performers directly into the pulsating heart of the modern live performance landscape.
Sergio Botelho, co-founder of Soul Candi Institute of Music and Record Label, elaborated on this innovative offering: “This is an intensive 8-week DJ and Live Performance course that equips students with essential, industry-relevant skills—from foundational mixing and beat matching to the complexities of delivering dynamic, engaging live sets using platforms like Ableton Live.” The course will be hosted in Soul Candi’s newly upgraded, fully soundproofed DJ studios at the Rosebank campus.
Botelho emphasised the hands-on, immersive philosophy of the programme. “Delivered as a physical, in-person experience, the Live DJ School replicates real-world performance settings. It’s about more than technique; it’s about developing the presence, adaptability, and technical confidence required to command club dancefloors, festival stages, and major live events.”
Bridging the Gap Between Classroom and Industry
The nationwide recruitment campaign underscores Soul Candi’s core commitment: to develop the next generation of music professionals by seamlessly integrating world-class training with real-world industry exposure within an active record label ecosystem. This unique model ensures that education is never theoretical.
“Through a dynamic mix of digital media, campus activations, industry showcases, powerful alumni success stories, and targeted community outreach, this initiative seeks to inspire young creatives to turn their passion into a sustainable career,” Botelho explained. “At Soul Candi, we don’t just teach music; we prepare students for the realities of the global music industry. This campaign is about opening doors for talented individuals who are serious about building long-term careers, whether as artists, producers, sound engineers, or creative entrepreneurs.”
Prospective students will be introduced to Soul Candi’s comprehensive suite of programmes, which includes specialised training in:
- Music Production & Sound Design
- DJ Performance & Electronic Music
- Vocal Training & Artist Development
- Songwriting & Composition
- Sound Engineering & Live Sound
- Music Business, Law & Entrepreneurship
- Digital Music Technologies & Marketing
A Curriculum for the Future, Access for All
In an industry being rapidly reshaped by technology, streaming, and digital platforms, Soul Candi’s curriculum is meticulously designed to stay ahead of the curve. Students graduate not only as skilled creatives but as savvy professionals, equipped with the business acumen, personal branding knowledge, and entrepreneurial insight necessary to thrive in a competitive global marketplace.
To further its mission of democratising access to elite music education, Soul Candi is promoting early registration benefits and limited-period offers throughout the campaign. These incentives are strategically aimed at ensuring that talented individuals from diverse socio-economic backgrounds can access the training and networks needed to launch their careers.
As the campaign gains momentum, the message from Soul Candi is clear: the future of African music is being written now, and its next iconic voices, visionary producers, and industry leaders are invited to begin their journey here. The institute stands ready not just to educate, but to activate, incubate, and launch the careers that will define the sound of a continent for years to come.
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