Artists and Interviews

*Karlien Husselman* ,

[SOUTH AFRICA]  

Dynamic and accomplished South African singer-songwriter with over two decades of experience in the music industry. Extensive background in performances, album releases, and media appearances, recognized for creating hit songs and captivating audiences. A recipient of multiple SACMAF awards, with a proven track record of achieving number one hits across national radio stations.

### *Performance Experience*

*Solo Artist and Performer*  

2001 - Present  

- *Idols Top 25 (2001)* - Achieved recognition as a top contender in the prestigious talent competition.  

- *KKNK Festival (2002-2005)* - Performed on various stages, showcasing versatility and talent.  

- *Radio Hit Singles*:  

  - *"Rosie van die Vrystaat"* - 

Project Director at ATKV Crescendo

About Prof Daddy was Groovy Dr Zi Brief biography

Prof Daddy was Groovy Dr Zi, real name Zivanai(Zi) Cuthbert Chapanduka is a composer, singer, performer and guitarist based in Cape Town. He has released songs using the names Dr Zi, Groovy Dr Zi, and Groovy Dr Zi now Prof Daddy. These names come from the fact that Zi is a professor of Haematological Pathology at Stellenbosch

University Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, and the National Health Laboratory Service, Tygerberg Hospital.

Prof Daddy recorded his first studio demo at the SABC studios in Durban back in 2000. The 4 song demo CD contained a song he composed with his late brother Robert as little school children. His first album titled

“Mandela is a Giant” 2012, was recorded with a trio called Peanuts and Ice-cream and included a praise poem he wrote for the Global Statesman Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. He managed to send a copy of the CD to Madiba before he passed away.

In 2022 while on an academic visit to the Great Zimbabwe University Medical Faculty in Masvingo, Zimbabwe, Prof Daddy recorded the song “Mtshele – tell her you love her” under his Kickstone Charisma Label. The song has lyrics in the English, Shona/Karanga and Nguni languages. In November 2022, he teamed up with his

producer, Franschhoek-based Olly van Schalkwyk of Ollyvans Studios. He has since released 5 singles Waitwa sei, Mhururu, World War 4, Woga, Gimme Musiek featuring Marissa Claasen and Rudo chinyiko -what is love featuring Sahii, the latest.

His interest in music started at an early age, seeing the then District Medical Officer Dr McLeod Chitiyo play guitar for the hospital staff’s children. Dr Chitiyo (later a Haematological Pathologist as well) asked him to sing, thereby giving him his first opportunity to sing into a microphone at the age of 5, a thrilling experience he

vividly remembers. He was head of the church choir during his secondary school days in Zimbabwe and learned to play guitar, largely self-taught. For his birthday in 1997, his then girlfriend (later, wife) bought him an

acoustic guitar which he immediately traded in for a better instrument later named “Dad’s Gun” by his children. The Gun is still in pristine condition.

Prof Daddy’s father was a chorister, composer and player of many musical instruments including the accordion, guitar, penny whistle, hosho (gourd shakers/rattles) and traditional drums. His youngest son, Taffy composed a blues song at 5 years of age, while watching the movie, the Blues Brothers. The song, “Song for Mambo” was on the 2012 album Mandela is a Giant. His only grandchild, Masha, created the melody for his first song of 2025 called “Gimme Musiek”, a mixed Afrikaans English lyrics song featuring actress singer Miss Marissa Claasen.

His musical influences were heavy metal rock, soul, blues, jazz and reggae on the international scene and

regional sounds notably the music of Otis Waygood, Makgona Tshohle band, Mahlatini and Mahotela Queens, Mparanyana and others. His other African influences included Zambians Nash Pichen, Alick Nkata and Paul

Ngozi and Zimbabweans, Thomas Mapfumo, Oliver Mtukudzi, Bundu Boys, Dorothy Masuka, Hilton Mambo, Jethro Shasha and Louis Mhlanga. Local maskandi Phuz’ekhemisi and his friend, the late great, Miss Busi Mhlongo also impacted his music as did the inimitable Bra Hugh Masekela with whom he developed a

friendship over the years. Guitarists Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Tonny Iommi, Carlos Santana, Eric Clapton and BB King also had a huge impact on him.

He describes his genre as Afro-rock and Afro-pop although he admits being in his element when he does his own emerging genre which he calls Mbakumba Rock. This is based on the drum rhythm called

mbakumba (mbaa-koom-baa) and includes various African elements such as bongos, congas, clappers, shakers, rattles and others. He always includes a harmonizing guitar line. A few of his songs such as the wedding/celebration song “Mhururu” come in his sleep, often as melodies, riffs or chord progressions.

Most of his songs are based on his poems which in turn are based on social commentary, including anti-war

advocacy and motivational topics. He strongly believes war is the cause of most human suffering. He sings about love, family and hope.

Prod Daddy is a full-time professor, teaching medical doctors, scientists and specialists, and researching. He has numerous peer-reviewed publications to his credit. A teetotaler for 25 years, he enjoys road running with 7 Comrades medals and a few Two Oceans Marathon runs to his credit.

Angela Kotze released her latest single, Calitzdorp, on 8 June 2024 – a heartfelt tribute to the small town of the same name nestled in the heart of the Klein Karoo. Through vivid lyrics and soulful melody, Angela paints a picture of Calitzdorp and invites listeners to experience the town as she sees and feels it.

About three years ago, Angela moved from Pretoria and Potchefstroom to Calitzdorp in search of simplicity, tranquillity, and inspiration. She immediately fell in love with the people and the character of the town – something that shines through clearly in her lyrics and music.

Calitzdorp was produced by award-winning producer Jo Ellis. The song features an infectious melody and draws musical influences from various African cultures, giving it a vibrant, danceable rhythm. Angela’s signature use of the ukulele adds a unique and playful charm to the track.

On 25 April, Angela Kotze released the official music video for Calitzdorp – a warm invitation for listeners to experience the soul and beauty of this Klein Karoo gem alongside her.

The music video was produced by Luther from Yellow Lemon Media, who beautifully captured the essence of Calitzdorp through striking visuals. Local dance group, the Kallieklip Vastrappers, bring joy and energy to the screen, adding to the sense of community and celebration that radiates throughout the production.

With this single and video, Angela hopes to inspire others to visit Calitzdorp for themselves – a hidden gem in the heart of the Klein Karoo.

Janine Fourie is a singer/songwriter and musician from Oudtshoorn, currently based in George. She travels regularly in and around the Garden Route for performances, and lives out her passion daily.

Janine entertains with various instruments, including the Ukulele and the Accordion, which makes her performances so unique and interesting. She loves to cover music from genres like Country, Pop, Folk, Jazz, Rock, and enjoys covering music from “Golden Oldies” to the latest Chart music. She also likes to sing her own songs and finds inspiration in everyday life and seasons.

She won the SABC 2 Showville title in 2015 for Oudtshoorn, and recorded her first original album called Stand up Tall.  Her original music has been played on various radio stations, and even been at the top of the local charts on SFM radio and Algoa fm. She was part of the ATKV Crescendo Mentorship program in 2024, which was a great learning experience.

Even though Janine’s first language is Afrikaans she enjoys writing in both Afrikaans and English, and has a special place for Country Music. Her dream is to one day be able to go to Nashville and experience the Country music scene.

Her original music is available on digital platforms:

Spotify, Itunes, Google Play, Youtubemusic etc.

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Edinia Citwa

Biography

Edinia Citwa (43) from Mossel Bay is a singer, songwriter, and storyteller whose voice and words reflect a life full of twists, rapids, and eventual self-acceptance. Edinia is the middle child of seven and knew from a young age that she had something to say and to sing.

Her father introduced her and her siblings to music from an early age. “I would always gather everyone together, write songs, and make them practice. From the age of six, I sang in the church worship team and choir, and later performed in jazz groups, pubs and stage productions,” she explains.

Audiences have experienced her live at festivals such as the Klein Karoo National Arts Festival (KKNK) and the Mossel Bay Dias Festival. Edinia also enjoys performing at corporate events, birthdays, weddings, and even funerals in her community. This versatility is likely the reason she became a finalist on the SABC2 reality show Showville, which visited small towns throughout the country to discover local talent.

During an audition for the Ouma Sarie series in 2023, Edinia met actor HaKKiesDraad HaRTmaN, who encouraged her to apply for the ATKV-Crescendo mentorship programme. She didn’t believe that she could write in Afrikaans, but with the help of her son, Lonwabo (15), who created the backing track using music software, she wrote and submitted her first Afrikaans song.

With her entry, Gebore om te wen (Born to win), she was selected in 2024 as a finalist for the ATKV-Crescendo mentorship programme. The result is a debut album of the same name, set to be released on 4 July this year during a production together with her musical idol Nádine at the Daisy Jones Theatre outside Stellenbosch.

By day, she works as a medical fund administrator in an orthopaedic practice. Running is her way of clearing her mind. She is also learning to master the guitar through online lessons with ATKV-Crescendo guitarist Eddy Strings.

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Edinia’s journey with ATKV-Crescendo

For Edinia, ATKV-Crescendo not only changed her career but also deepened her sense of self. “The Crescendo team introduced me to myself”, she says. “I didn’t even realise how far I had drifted from who I was. You go into autopilot and, without knowing it, you are drinking from an empty cup. There were only no reserves left. I got tired of pretending. I started to hate my forced smile. And all the masks I sometimes wore. ATKV-Crescendo taught me to set boundaries and put myself and my three children first. '

She had previously only written in English and isiXhosa, but when she was effectively pushed to use Afrikaans again, it became the medium for her truth. “Afrikaans is my mother tongue. I just had to open my mouth, and something would come out. '

The result is raw, honest songs like Gebore om te wen.

Social Media Details Facebook: Edinia Instagram: @edinia X (Twitter): @ediniacitwa

THE END For more information about ATKV-Crescendo or how to apply for the 2026 mentorship programme, visit www.crescendo.org.za. Contact Marlize Leyden at marlize.leyden@outlook.com or by WhatsApp at 067 883 0077 for interviews or more information.

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VICTOR FREDERICKS – A VOICE FROM THE BOLAND

Victor Fredericks is a storyteller through and through – a songwriter, poet, and singer whose

work is deeply rooted in the farming life of the Western Cape. Born and raised in Wolseley, he

developed a love for language, music, and human emotion from a young age.

His mother, a soprano in the church choir, and his father's love for Afrikaans radio exposed

him early on to the power of sound and lyrics. These influences still form the heart of his

creative work today. His music is not superficial entertainment; it is raw, honest, and

emotionally authentic. Whether in the form of blues, ballads or alternative Afrikaans tracks,

Victor’s sound always carries the traces of his story – the farm, the road, love and longing.

As the production manager of a farm in the Wolseley district, Victor took his first big step into

the music world when he was named one of the finalists in Agri’s Got Talent in 2018. His debut

single Boland Blues was released in 2022, and he has not looked back since. In 2024, he was

selected as one of the top ten finalists in the ATKV-Crescendo mentorship programme. It was

during this mentorship that Blackberry Juice and Gin was born – a song that not only got

audiences on their feet but was also therapeutic and transformative for Victor himself.

Beyond music, Victor is also an award-winning writer and playwright. His poetry collection Ons

stryd (Our struggle) appeared as early as 2001, followed by Voetpad oor die Witzenberg (Foot

path across the Witzenberg) in 2020 and Laat Pa vertel (Let Dads speaks) in 2023 — a moving

tribute to his father. He has also written several plays, including Ons moet klaar praat, Ma and

Laat ons praat daaroor, which explore themes of family dynamics, youth, and healing.

One of the highlights of his career was when Dr. Diana Ferrus asked him to set her

internationally acclaimed poem Ek’s hier om jou huis toe te neem (I’ve come to take you home)

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for Sarah Baartman to music. This collaboration placed Victor on several major stages,

including the Oesfees at Solms-Delta.

WHAT ATKV-CRESCENDO MEANT FOR VICTOR

According to Victor, his participation in the ATKV-Crescendo mentorship programme

addressed the gap he had experienced in writing across different genres. “In the past, I always

stuck to my own genres and thought it was heaven on earth, but after attending the mentorship

program, I was able to go home and write music in a variety of genres.” He says he is a better

person because he learned to make decisions that are not based solely on emotion. “I also

made friends with people I otherwise would never have met.”

SOCIAL MEDIA DETAILS

Facebook: victor fredericks / VICTOR C FREDERICKS MUSIC PAGE

TikTok: @victorfredericks15

THE END

Visit www.crescendo.org.za for more information about the ATKV-Crescendo mentorship

program and production house. For inquiries or interviews, contact Marlize Leyden at

marlize.leyden@outlook.com. Alternatively, you can send a WhatsApp to 067 883 0077.

Thara is a South African singer-songwriter whose music blends intimate

storytelling with atmospheric alt-pop. Raised on a farm and homeschooled, she

spent her afternoons immersed in nature, always walking around, singing, as well

as spending time learning to play piano and guitar mostly by ear. Her gentle voice

adds to the atmosphere and depth of her songwriting. This quiet foundation

shaped her introspective writing style, which is honest, poetic, and deeply rooted

in emotion.

Though she had no formal music training growing up, Thara pursued her music

passion through study at COPA (Campus of Performing Arts) in Pretoria and later

earned a coveted spot at LIMPI (Lillehammer Institute of Music Production and

Industries) in Norway. There, she was mentored by some of the world’s top

hitmakers and collaborators of Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars, Dua Lipa, and Justin

Bieber, sharpening her songwriting, production, and artistic vision.

Thara released her debut single in February 2023, produced by hip-hop producer

Matthew Grunewald. Later that year, she followed with "Amplified", produced by

Gideon Botes (Elephant Road Studios), known for his work with Joshua na die

Reën and Len Muller. "Amplified" earned a Best Adult Contemporary Single

nomination at the 2024 Afriindie Awards. She continued her collaboration with

Botes and released 3 more singles produced by him.

Inspired by the peace of nature, her inner world, and human connection and

stories, Thara creates music that feels both raw and comforting. With influences

like Gracie Abrams and Taylor Swift, her songs aim to be a safe space for listeners

to feel seen, heard, and understood. Her faith and relationship with God are also a

big inspiration for her, and she hopes that through creating her music community,

she could also share His love with them all.

NORRA

DIGITAL EPK

A mix of vulnerable beauty and energetic rhythms. NORRA brings aunique combination of drama, powerful vocals, and storytelling toher performances, taking any audience on a magical journey.Whether as a solo artist or with the NORRA trio, her performancesare always dynamic. Her music blends folk, indie, and rockelements, with songs in both English and Afrikaans. NORRA's liveperformances promise to engage any audience and provide anunforgettable experience, whether in an intimate space or on alarger stage.

STREAMING AND SOSIAL MEDIABOOKINGSINFO@NORRA.CO.ZA

Spotify Apple Music YouTube

Instagram TikTok Facebook

THIS IS WHAT A LIVE

SHOW WITH THE BAND LOOKS LIKE

NORRA ON THE

EXPRESSO SHOW

The Meeting Place – Stellenbosch

Seaweed & Salt – Kalk Bay

Hanoi Rock City – Hanoi

Tiny Music Club – Hanoi

The Den – Hanoi

The Alma Café – Cape Town

Die Bôrdienghuis – Wellington

The House of Machines – Cape Town

Expresso Show (SABC 3) – Cape Town

Cape Town TV - EKSÊ Live – Cape Town

Die Wasgoedlyn (with Riku Lätti) – YouTube episode

House Concert with Bacchus Nel, Jackie & Riku Lätti,

and Marcia Moon – Durbanville

NORRA's Soundtrack for 2025

Performances and Appearances

NORRA's first single, Spook, was released early in 2025 and boasts a

breathtaking music video that showcases the natural beauty of South Africa.

SPOOK MUSIC VIDEO LINK

Her second single, Dans Dans, was released at the end of April 2025. The

song has a more energetic sound and is accompanied by a fun music video

featuring bassist Jaco Hanekom and drummer Calvin Beukes.

DANS DANS MUSIC VIDEO LINK

NORRA’s next single, Meermin Suster, will be released in July. Listeners can

look forward to even more exciting songs in the second half of 2025, with

titles like Soet Somer, Versigtig Dink, and Dagbreek.

At the start of 2024, Jeandré’s

journey was profoundly shaped by

two incredible individuals who

believed in her talent and

supported her vision. With their

encouragement and backing, she

recorded her very first original

Afrikaans song, marking a pivotal

moment in her career.

Now, in 2025, she is ready to take

the next big step with the release

of her country single, "So Much of

You." This heartfelt track showcases

her unique sound, storytelling

ability, and deep emotional

connection to music.

Mark your calendars—"So Much of

You" will officially be released on

February 15, 2025. This is just the

beginning of an exciting chapter

for Jeandré, as she continues to

captivate audiences with her voice

and passion.

Sasha Taylor is a singer-songwriter from Johannesburg, South Africa, known for her indie-pop sound and heartfelt, introspective lyrics. Blending shimmering pop melodies with soulful balladry, her music explores themes of nostalgia, self-discovery, love, and the complexities of life.

Sasha began writing songs at the age of 10, a reflection of her deep-rooted passion for music that continues to shape her artistic journey. In 2024, she released her debut single “Marmalade”, which introduced her distinctive voice and emotional storytelling to the world. The track was well-received, leading to radio interviews and playlisting on several South African stations.

Following its success, Sasha released “Tomorrow”, a powerful follow-up that has performed exceptionally well on radio, further cementing her place as a rising voice in the South African music scene.

She is currently working on her debut EP — also titled “Marmalade” — in collaboration with acclaimed producer Daniel Baron at Hit Kitchen Studios. With this upcoming project, Sasha continues to carve out a unique space in the music scene, offering music that is both deeply personal and universally resonant.