Sound engineer amped to pay it forward

Montclair boasts a qualified female sound engineer who wants to empower other young women who have dreams of making their mark within the male-dominated industry.

Nonhlanhla Buthelezi (30) studied at Gearhouse South Africa and Creative Arts College before she gained a wealth of knowledge as a sound engineer.

She got her big break working at Music House KZN and over the past eight years, she has worked with the likes of Grammy award-winning musicians Ladysmith Black Mambazo, producer Lebo M, singer Zahara and many other industry talents. “I have always been interested in the world of arts. I’ve worked on musicals, Imbokodo FM, East Coast Radio and various music projects. One of my biggest achievements was definitely having Ladysmith Black Mambazo win a Grammy on a project we worked on together,” she said.
Mastering her skills and being able to make a name for herself as a woman in this industry is something she holds very dear to her heart and according to Nonhlanhla, her consistency, patience and her passion for sound have been the driving force to realising her dreams.

Eight years later, she is nurturing her next project, Fanele Foundation. This is a non-profit organisation aimed at helping female high school learners and recent school-leavers to gain access to information and skills within media and sound engineering. From lighting, film, content production, radio, events management and everything in between, Fanele Foundation seeks to be a gateway for young women advance in their chosen career paths, through workshops, skills development, bursaries and mentorship.

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“Inspiring and giving back to the community is my main passion in life. Through this organisation, I hope to assist other determined young women with the knowledge and expertise I have gained throughout the years. Instilling values to equip these women with a solid work ethic and a means to withstand the pressures that come with the job, is also of crucial importance within this initiative,” explained Buthelezi. While the success of the organisation depends heavily on sponsorships and public funding, Buthelezi’s positive attitude keeps her going. Her ultimate vision is to create a pool of skilled, empowered and excellent females who come from all walks of life.

“I believe strongly in the saying that ‘what grieves you is your assignment in life’. Seeing a young girl not reach her full potential is something that affects me on a personal level. Thus I am now making it my assignment to bring about a positive difference in the future of at least a few girls within my means,” said Buthelezi.

To sponsor or help Fanele Foundation call Nonhlanhla on 076-765-5809 or email buthelezinonhlanhlafanele@gmail.com

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