REVIVING OUR ROOTS
CREATING OUR FUTURE
Visit the National Lotteries Commission website to find out about other projects supported by the NLC.
www.nlcsa.org.za ↗Watch this video to see how the Air Project changes lives through music, training, and opportunities.
The African Indigenous Renaissance (AIR) Project is a cultural preservation, skills development and empowerment programme of Western Cape Arts Festivals (WCAF) that supports emerging artists and unemployed youth from underserved communities. The programme was established to preserve, revive and celebrate Africa's indigenous cultural heritage while equipping participants with practical artistic, technical and entrepreneurial skills. By combining traditional knowledge with contemporary creative practices, AIR creates opportunities for cultural expression, employment and sustainable livelihoods within the creative economy.
Participants receive extensive practical training in indigenous instrument making, crafting and performance, learning to construct, play and perform traditional African instruments such as the uhadi, mgobe and drums. Craft development includes painting, woodwork, traditional beading, instrument decoration and traditional craftsmanship. Additional training covers cultural archiving, documentation of indigenous knowledge, basic computer literacy, business management and entrepreneurship. Working alongside experienced indigenous musicians, cultural practitioners and facilitators, participants develop their creative abilities while learning to preserve and document the cultural traditions, stories and practices of their communities.
The programme culminates in public performances, exhibitions and cultural showcases, providing participants with opportunities to demonstrate their skills, share indigenous knowledge and engage with wider audiences. Beyond artistic development, AIR promotes cultural identity, confidence, self-reliance and entrepreneurial thinking, encouraging participants to transform traditional craftsmanship and performance into sustainable income-generating activities while contributing to the preservation of Africa's cultural heritage for future generations.
Since its inception, the AIR Project has trained 29 students through more than 20 workshops, reaching over eight communities and contributing to two African arts festivals. Participants have developed indigenous instruments, acquired practical craft and performance skills, and gained exposure through community showcases and major cultural events. The programme continues to create pathways for emerging cultural practitioners to become skilled artisans, performers and creative entrepreneurs, demonstrating how indigenous heritage can support meaningful employment, cultural preservation and community development.
Internationally acclaimed musician, educator and founder of Amampondo and Ibuyambo. Prof. Plaatjies mentors AIR participants in crafting and performing with indigenous instruments, preserving African musical traditions and transforming cultural heritage into sustainable creative opportunities.
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Pioneering playwright and recipient of three lifetime achievement awards. Fatima empowers AIR participants through storytelling, personal development and African oral traditions, nurturing confidence, cultural identity and the ability to preserve and share their heritage.
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Grandson of renowned ethnomusicologist Hugh Tracey, Geoffrey is an accomplished musician and educator with extensive international teaching experience. Specialising in African percussion, marimba and mbira, he brings a deep understanding of indigenous musical traditions to the AIR Project, inspiring participants through practical music training, cultural preservation and intercultural learning.
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