It’s been over 9 months since I started this blog and what a journey it has been. The Next Generation of Greats was a personal passion project I started to really push myself in finding and putting a spotlight on some the most fascinating young trailblazers growing digitally within South Africa’s creative industries and the findings have been nothing short of astounding. In these last 9 months, I’ve had the privilege of uncovering and writing about individuals and groups whose works will undoubtedly place them as future thought leaders and influencers in fields ranging from cinema, music production and fashion to music performance, web-series, comedy and more. On the 19th of October, that journey evolved from a digital spotlight to a physical celebration.
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The Broke Ass Showcase is an event that celebrates and promotes youth creativity and excellence by providing our digital trailblazers with a physical platform to showcase their works. Hosted at The Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct with MC’s Nikiwe Buhlalu and Thabo Rametsi, a crowd that eclipsed 100 guests were treated to some incredible content in the form of live music and comedy as well as the screening of web-series, short films and an exclusive sneak peek preview of upcoming South African horror film, Tokoloshe. The evening kicked off with a DJ set by Stickx followed by a pair of screenings from Broke Ass Independents (read: my) upcoming comedy web-series, Pride and Petty to LVL Imagery‘s thrilling psychological short film, Gary’s Story before launching into some electrifying music performances from rising acts like experimental R&B crooner Love, Sechaba and hip-hop prodigy Ngwato Mamiane; who was supported with a guest appearance from fellow rapper Zepto Virgo.
A screening of Bokang Phelane‘s comedy web-series Angry Amber continued the night’s festivities as it set the stage for the night’s most anticipated event item; an exclusive preview of the anticipated South African horror film, Tokoloshe, provided by Ster-Kinekor. With the film’s seasoned producer Dumi Gumbi in-tow to set the stage and provide a Q&A, the audience was not only treated to the trailer but an uninterrupted five minute screener that whetted their appetites for the film’s official cinematic release on November 2, 2018. Killer performances from contemporary R&B chanteuse, Lucille Slade, and alt hip-hop artist Stanley Kaye continued the night as it neared its apex.
The screening stage’s final act was the latest offering of Zigi Ndhlovu/Outre Production‘s drama web-series Love; coming in at a staggering 22-minutes, the project was a great closer in showcasing the ambitions and efforts our burgeoning visual voices have to offer. Closing the night of festivities were a pair of titanic comedy sets from two of this countries most promising acts in live comedy, Suhayl Essa and this year’s Comic’s Choice Newcomer Award-Winner Tsitsi Chiumya in support of their upcoming live comedy show at the Joburg Theatre, Shapa Boom Boom.
The celebration of youth creativity and growth moves past just the live performers and screeners. The contractors hired for the event, from the live sound engineers to production companies and videographers etc were also a representation of the showcase’s theme, young creative freelancers. The show was orchestrated by the brothers of Enraptured Odyssey and its subsidiary Broke Ass Independents; Yalezo Njuguna (23) and Kibare Njuguna (29) in partnership with The Tshimologong Digital Precinct. The Broke Ass Showcase strives to be a platform that consistently celebrates the future of our creativity. Returning with its next showcase in February, I’m incredibly excited to see where this journey leads.
Over the next couple of weeks, Broke Ass Independents will be releasing interviews, live performances and more exclusive content from the event. Follow us on YouTube, and myself to keep informed. Instagram: njakes21, Twitter: wnjakes, YouTube: Broke Ass Independents. To learn more about the Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct, you can visit their website here.
Next Gen Greats 
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