Dub Club Kwa Thema

In KwaThema, our sound system, which goes by the name Kebra Ethiopia, has been playing roots reggae continuously since the year 2005. We play music about socioeconomic challenges, equality, positive upliftment and pan-African principles. Our sound system events promote social cohesion of individuals of all ages. Members of the community sell their goods on-site, and this series of events generates income opportunities and activates trade areas and creates economic opportunities, which helps our communities to grow. Since 2021, we have hosted a series of events and called them Dub Club KwaThema. In this Dub Club series, we have booked other local sound systems to play with us on a rotating basis.

It is for this project that we are seeking funding. The sessions are held at a local homestead in South Africa's Kwa Thema neighborhood once a month and give vital (human) insight into crucial issues that encourage social commentary. During apartheid, reggae music was banned in South Africa, and this suppression of reggae music gave rise to the concept of gathering in one's home and enjoying music with family and friends in a private setting to enjoy the powerful message of the music.

Post-apartheid; this evolved into playing publicly, with the idea of having a host at that specific location where the session would take place. We continue to uphold the tradition of serving as the host and playing reggae music for the community.

Since 2005 our sessions act as a social safety valve by preventing young people from falling into the systemic traps that lead to criminality, drug misuse, and gang involvement. Many of these youths have been sufficiently motivated to contribute creatively to these sessions, and some of them have even gone on to find successful markets at the sessions. Some of the families have come to us and given us their testimonies, describing how these sessions bring them together and serve as communal self-care.

We also note that Dub Club Kwa Thema sessions are a powerful tool in preserving the cultural heritage of South Africa, as they are attended by people who come from underprivileged backgrounds and would not ordinarily have access to quality music, education or the opportunity to experience live music.

By holding these sessions, we are able to bring people of diverse backgrounds together and encourage social togetherness.

Since its beginning, these sessions have been funded by us as an act of social responsibility and our passion for reggae music. They are offered for free since they are being held in a neighborhood that is struggling economically. It is for these reasons that we have never charged an entry fee for our sessions, as the residents of our neighborhood lack employment opportunities and the ability to financially sustain such an event.

Sadly, there is a financial burden associated with continuing to offer these sessions free of charge, but we feel that it is our moral obligation to do so; as reggae music embodies the spirit of self-empowerment. We feel that it is our duty to help the community learn how to overcome the challenges that they face, break down the bearer walls that keep them separate and to build bridges of connection with one another in the pursuit of a better tomorrow.

We can easily understand why reggae music was made in the ghetto. Artists who are deeply troubled by the status of their society, the injustice they witness in the world, and their desire to improve things, create music. It's the music that many people listen to when they need comfort or when they're feeling sad or depressed, and as a sound system based in a township, we noticed as we played how much this music related to the community, like Kwa Thema. It is for these reasons that we deem it necessary to keep Dub Club Kwa Thema, and to keep the sessions free of charge.

Summary of budget requirement

Generator €290

lights €32

Security team requirement €20

Transportation (mini truck) €79

Toilets €66

Tents and Tables for Market €55

Tents for Event €35

Water supply €33

Our total budget for one session is €610. To run the project successfully, we would need a total of €6100 for the ten sessions proposed for the year. We plan to start this project in December 2022 till September 2023.

We would be grateful if you consider supporting our project, and help us to continue serving the community, making sure that Dub Club Kwa Thema can keep contributing towards the upliftment and development of our neighborhood and our people.