The SABC’s 90 percent local music quota is like a gift especially wrapped for four young men from Rabie Ridge.
Khulekani Ngcongo, 21; Malosi Kolotsi, 24; Kgothatso Maseko, 22 and Thato Nkhumishe, 22, jointly own Vanacutt Events. The company hosts events through which it provides a platform to showcase undiscovered musical talent.
“It all started with a ‘pens down’ party we hosted at my house after we finished matric exams. We saved our tuckshop money so we could cater for our guests,” Kolotsi recalled.
The party was a resounding success, prompting the group to host more. As the guest numbers grew, the house felt cramped and so they took it to the street. In time, they found a venue ideal for their parties. To date, they still host events at Endaweni, Rabie Ridge.
Cousins Nkhumishe and Maseko met Ngcongo and Kolotsi in Grade 7 and have been thick as thieves since. Though Vanacutt Events started in 2008 with house parties and was registered in 2013, the partners are set to take advantage of SABC’s new quota and will start managing the talent they unearth by ensuring that their music gets airplay.
“Artists are already approaching us to play at our events. All we have to do is submit their demos to be played on SABC radio stations,” said Kolotsi.
In addition to running Vanacutt Events, the team juggles several occupations including academic study. Kolotsi and Ngcongo work full-time, Maseko is interning and studying. Nkhumishe works part-time, studies and is part of the Awethu Project, which is an incubation company for entrepreneurs.
The team is also looking at expanding their offerings to include educational events. A high school in the area has responded positively to their pitch to host a day geared towards encouraging entrepreneurial flair in pupils. One of the partners will also give a talk as they are all entrepreneurs.
“The aim is to start developing a generation of job creators as opposed to job seekers,” Maseko said.
The young team also knows first-hand the pitfalls on the entrepreneurial path. In late 2014, they attempted to host a three-day musical event. After months of marketing, the event was a total fail. “That broke us. We didn’t host any events until this year but we learned a good lesson. We learned the value of signing a contract,” Nkhumishe said.
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