Kulani Arts Project

15/09/2025

Congratulations to our own Dr Msakha Mona who heads the Kulani Arts Project!!
🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19vmof8cKD/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Congratulations to Dr. Msakha Mona on being awarded a PhD in Education from the University of Cape Town. This is a significant milestone and a powerful continuation of his work as a social activist, scholar and artist committed to blending art and education for social justice.

Msakha’s research takes on urgent and necessary questions about decolonising higher education in South Africa. His scholarship is grounded in critical inquiry while also being deeply connected to lived realities, creative practice and community struggles. Beyond the academy, he engages the public through music and art that challenge us to think differently about society, justice and the possibilities of transformation.

It is a privilege to welcome him to the Canon Collins Trust Alumni Network. His vision and commitment to decoloniality and education will no doubt enrich our community of scholars, practitioners and activists. We look forward to the ways in which his work will continue to push boundaries and open space for dialogue, creativity and change.

26/05/2025

MORE ABOUT THE ARTISTS: Restless Tunes

Sometimes, the most profound magic unfolds in the moments we least
expect. As we reflect on the echoes still resonating from Echoes from the
Caves 2025, we want to share the incredible story of Restless Tunes – a duo
whose presence on our stage became a testament to growth, passion, and
the beautiful unpredictability of art.
An unexpected turn of events meant that the esteemed Jeff Maluleke was unable to grace our stage. Yet, in this space, an opportunity blossomed. Enter Restless Tunes: Deshy on guitar and Floyd on vocals. For those who have journeyed with Kulani Arts Project, Deshy Dan is a familiar spirit. He first joined the Echoes family as a guitarist for Msakha, generously lending his talent to numerous artists and collaborators, growing with each note. To see him return in 2025, showcasing his own musical vision with Restless Tunes,
filled us with immense pride. This is “Kulani" – to grow, to expand, to nurture, and to help others bloom.

"We have been friends since childhood. We formed our bond around a shared love for music," remarked Floyd. Their name, Restless Tunes, wasn't just a band; it was a movement. It spoke of their journey – a restless exploration of instruments, genres, and sounds, inviting anyone in their community to jam and discover. They were, and are, a testament to the enduring power of youthful curiosity and loyalty to the creative spark.

And on the Echoes from the Caves 2025 stage, these two young men, in their early twenties, stood tall. They offered their hearts through soulful melodies sung in Xitsonga – the very language we yearned to hear, a language some feel pressured to silence. With youthful energy yet profound musical maturity, they sang of innocent love, pure connection, and authenticity, messages that resonated deeply with both young and old. They reminded us, and perhaps even their own childhood friends, of the magic that first brought them together. In their music, they carried the spirit of Deshy's beautiful reflection: “Too often, Xitsonga speakers only discover each other later, their shared identity hidden due to the pressure of having to navigate the world in languages that are not their own.” Restless Tunes, however, wore their heritage proudly, inspiring other young people to embrace who they are and not abandon their roots.

For Restless Tunes, performing within the ancient womb of Sudwala Caves was more than just a gig; it was a rebirth. After a long break, the energy of the cave, the warmth of the audience, and the spirit of Echoes provided an undeniable affirmation: their journey, their restless exploration, is something truly special and must continue. We are so incredibly proud to have witnessed this beautiful chapter unfold.

Restless Tunes, you are a shining example of the Kulani spirit, and you have become an indelible part of our family. Thank you for sharing your truth and
your talent. The echoes of your tunes are a beautiful reminder of growth, resilience, and the pure, unadulterated love of music. ❤ 🎶

25/05/2025

HAPPY AFRICA DAY!!

The Kulani Arts Project was born from a deep love—for Africa, for our culture(s), our languages, and for the arts that have carried our people across centuries.

Over the years, during Africa Month, we gather in the belly of the Sudwala Caves for Echoes from the Caves—a sacred space where the voices of children rise in isiSwati, xiTsonga, Setswana… ancient tongues echoing off ancient stone. But Kulani is not just an event. It’s a movement. A reminder that language is more than words—it's memory, it's identity, it's home.

As Msakha Mona, our curator, says:
"Behind every language, there are a people. To marginalise a language is to marginalise its people."

We’ve seen this pain before. In the shadows of xenophobic violence, when skin could no longer distinguish us, it was language that was used to decide who belonged. Who deserved safety. Who had the right to exist.

This is why we do what we do. Why kids step onto stages speaking their mother tongues with pride. Why we sing, dance, and tell stories that refuse to be erased. Because to protect a language is to protect a people.

Happy Africa Day to all Africans—home and abroad.
Let the echoes remind us: we are many, but we are one.

21/05/2025

🌟 Echoes from the Caves 2025: A Celebration of Africa Month, Heritage & Unexpected Magic! 🌟

Three years. Three unforgettable festivals. This Africa Month, we gathered once more in the sacred space of Sudwala Caves—the oldest on Earth—to celebrate the living power of African languages, stories and voices.

While we missed the legendary Jeff Maluleke, who fell ill just before the event (health comes first! ❤️), his absence opened space for beautiful surprises:

🎤 Tsoness returned to our stage, wrapping us in the warm embrace of her Setswana melodies—a perfect tribute to Africa Month's spirit of unity.
🎶 Restless Tunes made their dazzling debut, proving that xiTsonga soul music speaks directly to young hearts.

But the true magic? Watching our Sinani Arts Academy stars claim their place on that ancient stage, their voices echoing through the caves just as their ancestors' once did. This is what Africa Month means to us: children becoming torchbearers of heritage.

To everyone who joined this language justice movement - artists, supporters, believers - thank you for honoring our continent's creative spirit. The echoes continue...

05/05/2025

✨ Echoes from the Caves 2025 was pure magic! ✨

Saturday night the ancient walls of Sudwala Caves pulsed with new life as the Sinani Arts Academy kids took the spotlight—and absolutely owned it. From powerful poetry to music to dance that shook the stalactites, they proved exactly why we do this work: to move our children from the audience to the stage and let our languages echo forward.

Thank you to every single soul who filled the cavern with applause, love and belief. 👏🏽
• Our audience—your energy lifted every note.
• Legendary guest artists and mentors—Bholoja, Bheki & Sanele, Mthokozisi, Restless Tunes, Msakha Mona and Tsoness—your serving turned nerves into courage.
• Sponsors, partners & collaborators—your resources and trust made excellence possible.
• Film, AV and photography crews—thanks for capturing each unforgettable moment.
• Ligwalagwala FM/SABC & media friends—thank you for taking our story beyond the cave walls.
• Sudwala Caves management—what a breathtaking stage and service you gave us.

Most of all—BRAVO to the Sinani kids. You were the heartbeat of the night, and you reminded us why art matters: it keeps culture alive, builds confidence, and shows the next generation they are custodians of something priceless.

Stay tuned for photos, videos and the next chapter. Our mission for language justice and intergenerational knowledge-sharing is only getting louder.

All glory to the Creator of all creation.❤️

03/05/2025

ECHOES FROM THE CAVES 2025 beautifully unfolding…
Sinani Arts Academy kids were briefed in the morning, 🤩
The supporting crew and collaborators were ready after breakfast 😍
The audience showed up 🥳

Nothing but joy and amazement!

03/05/2025

The Day is here!!

We woke up early after sleeping late to prep for this.
Our hearts are in this.
Chemistry establish.
Let’s womb and deliver this art!
Let’s birth the next generation!!

ECHOES FROM THE CAVES 2025
Sudwala Caves, Mpumalanga
11am
03 May 2025

02/05/2025

01/05/2025

📣 Introducing Msakha Mona: The Heart of Kulani Arts Project!

We are thrilled to announce that the visionary Msakha Mona will be leading the 'Echoes from the
Caves' Festival at Sudwala Caves! 🎉

Who is Msakha Mona?
Msakha Mona is not just a curator; he is a passionate advocate for cultural preservation and decoloniality. As a lecturer at the University of Cape Town, he has
dedicated his career to empowering youth through the arts and fostering a deeper understanding of African knowledge systems and language justice. His commitment to bridging the gap between traditional practices and contemporary expression makes him a vital force in the Kulani Arts Project.

Under Msakha's guidance, the Kulani Arts Project aims to elevate marginalised voices and celebrate the rich tapestry of African heritage. His expertise in
fostering intergenerational dialogue through artistic collaboration is at the core of our festival’s
mission. Msakha embodies the project’s vision of using art as a catalyst for community growth
and cultural legacy.

Event Details:
📅 Date: Saturday, 03 May 2025
⏰ Time: 11h00 - 16h00
📍 Venue: Sudwala Caves, Mpumalanga

Join us as Msakha leads an extraordinary celebration of indigenous storytelling, language preservation, and artistic excellence in the world’s oldest known cave system! 🌍✨

What to Expect:

Inspiring performances from youth and professional artists
Engaging discussions on cultural heritage and language justice
A unique experience that combines ancient acoustics with modern creativity
A powerful showcase of community empowerment through the arts nurtures! 🎭

Don’t miss this opportunity to witness this magic!