Msizi Mavundla
Executive Producer – Choral Indigenous Music Awards (CIMA)
Founder & Executive Director – Sounds of Azania Cultural and Creative Incubator
Profile Overview
Msizi Mavundla is a veteran cultural practitioner, music executive, broadcaster, publisher, and creative entrepreneur with over three decades of experience in South Africa’s cultural and creative industries. He is the Executive Producer of the Choral Indigenous Music Awards (CIMA) and the founding force behind the Sounds of Azania Cultural and Creative Incubator, the institution that established CIMA in 2025.
Born in Durban eSkomplazi (Clermont), KwaZulu-Natal, Msizi’s work is deeply rooted in community development, African consciousness, and the preservation of indigenous cultural expression. His career spans music production, broadcasting, publishing, events production, arts education, and social development, positioning him as one of the most multifaceted cultural leaders of his generation.
Professional Background
Msizi’s journey into music began in the early 1990s, culminating in the establishment of Funkytigers Entertainment in 2004, the first record label and music publishing company in KwaZulu-Natal. Through this pioneering venture, he played a critical role in developing and commercialising local talent while advocating for artist rights and intellectual property protection.
In broadcasting, Msizi has founded, managed, and produced content for multiple platforms, including:
- Durban Voice Radio (Founder & Station Manager)
- Clermont Voice Radio (Founder & Producer)
- African Youth Radio (Co-founder & Content Producer)
- Ingoni FM (Former Programmes Manager)
His publishing footprint includes founding and leading:
- Urban Sounds Magazine
- Mzansi Mail Newspaper
- African Pupils Voice Newspaper
Cultural Leadership & Events Production
As an events executive producer, Msizi has conceptualised and delivered major cultural and socio-economic platforms, including:
- Choral Indigenous Music Awards (CIMA)
- Sounds of Azania Festival
- Masters of Economy Awards
- A Million Book of Life Festival
He is also the founder and Chairperson of Rappers Without Borders, a non-profit organisation dedicated to youth empowerment, life skills development, and social cohesion through arts and culture.
Vision & Legacy
Msizi’s work is driven by Pan-Africanism, Black Consciousness, Ubuntu, and cultural self-determination. Through CIMA, he seeks to institutionalise choral indigenous music as a respected cultural economy, ensuring that composers, choirs, and cultural workers receive recognition, protection, and sustainable opportunities.
“Culture is not entertainment alone—it is education, identity, economy, and legacy.”
Jennifer Mdluli
Project Manager – Choral Indigenous Music Awards (CIMA)
Profile Overview
Jennifer Mdluli is a dedicated Project Manager and cultural administrator with a strong background in events coordination, programme implementation, and community-based arts development. She serves as the Project Manager for the Choral Indigenous Music Awards (CIMA), where she is responsible for translating artistic vision into structured, professional, and impactful delivery.
Jennifer plays a central role in ensuring that CIMA operates with integrity, efficiency, and inclusivity, from planning and logistics to stakeholder coordination and programme execution.
Professional Background
With experience in project planning, stakeholder engagement, operations management, and event logistics, Jennifer brings organisational discipline and strategic coordination to large-scale cultural initiatives. Her work focuses on aligning creative objectives with timelines, budgets, governance processes, and community participation.
At CIMA, her responsibilities include:
- Overall project coordination and execution
- Artist, adjudication, and stakeholder liaison
- Workshop, seminar, and outreach programme management
- Operational planning for gala dinners and award ceremonies
- Monitoring delivery against objectives and timelines
Community & Cultural Development Focus
Jennifer is deeply committed to inclusive cultural development, particularly in creating accessible platforms for emerging artists, educators, women, and youth within the indigenous music space. She has a strong passion for arts administration as a tool for empowerment, ensuring that cultural initiatives are professionally managed and socially impactful.
Her approach combines people-centred leadership with strong systems, making her an integral part of CIMA’s sustainability and credibility.
Role within CIMA
As Project Manager, Jennifer serves as the operational backbone of the Choral Indigenous Music Awards, working closely with the Executive Producer, partners, sponsors, and participating artists to ensure that CIMA remains a world-class, transparent, and purpose-driven cultural institution.
“Strong systems allow creativity to flourish and communities to benefit.”
Reuben Mokolo
Digital Manager – Choral Indigenous Music Awards (CIMA)
Reuben Mokolo is a dynamic media professional and digital strategist who currently serves as the Digital Manager for the Choral Indigenous Music Awards (CIMA). With a strong background in film production, digital media management, and creative entrepreneurship, Mokolo brings valuable expertise in digital communication, content creation, and audience engagement within the cultural and entertainment industries.
In his role at the Choral Indigenous Music Awards (CIMA), Mokolo is responsible for managing the awards’ digital presence and ensuring that the platform effectively reaches audiences across South Africa and beyond. His responsibilities include overseeing digital campaigns, managing social media platforms, coordinating online voting processes, and developing digital marketing strategies that promote the awards, nominees, and the broader mission of celebrating indigenous choral music. Through his work, he plays a crucial role in expanding the visibility of CIMA and strengthening its connection with both artists and audiences in the digital space.
Mokolo’s career in the media and creative industries began through his entrepreneurial work as the Founder and Executive Producer of Media Tour Class Films. In this role, he led the development and production of various film and media projects, focusing on storytelling that highlights African narratives, culture, and emerging creative talent. His experience in film production has equipped him with strong leadership, project management, and creative direction skills.
Beyond his work in media production and digital management, Mokolo also serves as a Director at Primeride Group, where he contributes to the strategic development and growth of the company’s business interests. His involvement in the corporate sector reflects his versatility as both a creative professional and a business leader.
Through his work across digital media, film production, and corporate leadership, Reuben Mokolo continues to contribute to the growth of South Africa’s creative economy. His role within the Choral Indigenous Music Awards supports the broader mission of promoting indigenous music heritage while leveraging digital innovation to connect artists with wider audiences.
