Ex-ECAVC head on world stage
ALMOST two years after leaving the Eastern Cape Audio Visual Centre, Sy Ntuli’s musical star continues to rise as he scores international invites.
The jazz musician has been billed to perform in France in the first week of June, and then in Spain later in the year.
The France invite comes after a successful tour in America, which was also graced by South African Embassy delegates who are based in Washington DC.
Ntuli, who spent years as the director of the ECAVC, left the centre in 2016 to focus on his career.
Early this year, he released his long-anticipated album
Reflecting on his journey to performing internationally, Ntuli said he believed his new album, crafted to appeal to both local and international audiences, had opened doors for him abroad.
“When you are original, authentic, and a true reflection of who you are, in terms of your culture and roots, the world will stop, listen and appreciate you.
“To conquer the world, you’ve got to be yourself, not a wannabe,” he said.
Ntuli said he was excited that the world was hungry for something new and fresh from South Africa.
“I cannot fill the boots of masters who came before me because they are huge. However, I can follow their footsteps because they are visible. The likes of Bra Hugh Masekela, Miriam Makeba, Busi Mhlongo and Johnny Clegg left visible footprints on international sands,” Ntuli said.
The renowned music educator and arts administrator has recently been appointed as the director of the Music and Film Academy of South Africa, popularly known as Mafasa, which has branches in Johannesburg, Durban and Kosi Bay.
He added that Mafasa had its eyes on the Eastern Cape too.
“I call the Eastern Cape my third home. I fell in love with the place and cannot brush away my connection with it.
“I hope we will also work with artists that side.”
Ntuli leaves for France on June 3 and is also expected to attend the Midem International Conference, which is one of the biggest international film and music conferences in the world.
He is also booked to perform at the Pueblos Blancos Music Festival in Spain later this year. —