SIPHIWE “Shef” Hlophe is looking forward to hosting the first annual Orange Farm Live Music Festival.
The 33-year-old organiser and founder of the music group Shef and the Kitchen Music said the festival is to uplift his kasi.
The Joburg-based musician from Bergville in KZN said the inspiration behind the event is to give local artist a platform to showcase their talents and give Orange Farm’s economy a boost through arts.
“I want to put my community on the map. The main core value of the Orange Farm Live Music Festival is to promote the local community and support its economy,” Shef said.
The event will be held from 26 to 27 August at Art Studios in Orange Farm extension 3
Artists who will be performing include Kabomo, Slig Angel and Empress Lilly, winner of the Reggae Artist of the Year Award at the 2023Basadi in Music Awards, among others.
The 1st Annual Orange Farm Live Music Festival.
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Lebo Thobye, the festival’s PR manager, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for entrepreneurs to flourish, connect with a diverse audience and boost their business. We believe in empowering our community.”
Shef shared his musical journey with Daily Sun that he studied project management in community development and recently graduated at the Boston City Campus in music business practice, supported by Samro.
“I grew up in musical family and my mum was a singer. My grandmother used to support me when I sang at church. That’s how I started singing and I also started singing at school,” he said.
He said he started Shef and the Kitchen in 2012. The group released their Single Mama in May 2023, on Mother’s Day.
Shef said they are working on their second album, called The Next Recipe, which will be released early 2024.
