A 20-member collective of young Cape Town artists and organisers will launch a live programme and debut single this August, using music to open conversations about substance use, gambling and gender-based violence.
Launch and debut single
The group, called Ndibale (meaning “count me in”), will present its live programme at Villa Viva in Cape Town on 15 August. Its first single is scheduled for release on 31 August.
Members and musical influences
Ndibale brings together producers, rappers, singers, poets, writers, photographers, videographers and event curators. The collective’s sound spans genres including:
- amapiano
- Afro house
- deep house
- hip hop
- R&B
Rooted in personal experience
Before writing any songs, the group spent five months discussing the social issues that inform its work. Members drew on their own experiences rather than working from an externally imposed brief.
The collective said its approach is shaped by South Africa’s history of using music as a vehicle for social mobilisation, particularly during the anti-apartheid struggle. Its work focuses on substance use, gambling and gender-based violence, aiming to encourage discussion rather than portray communities through a deficit-based lens.
“Not every lesson comes in a classroom”
“What matters to me is what it meant to come into this,” said Ndibale’s Campaigns & Events Lead Onthatile Pooe. “We wanted to prove that music can be a tool for social development, and over our time here I have watched people’s attitudes and perceptions genuinely shift. Not every lesson comes in a classroom, and some of the most important conversations I have had happened right here.”
Beyond the stage
Alongside its music, Ndibale is exploring digital storytelling and community activations to extend its engagement beyond live performances. The collective said its future direction remains under development as members continue to shape the project.
