Trumpeter and music teacher Dr Ramakgobotla Johnny Mekoa was a visionary and a nation builder. At the dawn of South Africa’s democracy in 1994, he founded the Music Academy of Gauteng (MAG), which is often referred to as ‘The Academy’, as its Executive Director. It was registered as a non-profit organization and initially located in Daveyton. When it started, the MAG’s activities were music education, music production, talent and concert promotions. It will celebrate its existence and profound legacy on 15 – 17 January 2026.

“Dr Mekoa was deeply inspired by the need to create access to quality music education for township youth, particularly those who had talent but no means”, Senior Administrator, Music Business Consultant, and Education Training and Development (ETD) Practitioner at MAG, Hendrick Monyeki told Jazz It Out. Mekoa saw music as a powerful tool for healing, empowerment, and nation building. “His vision was to create an institution that would not only train musicians technically, but also shape disciplined, socially conscious and globally competitive artists”, Monyeki added.

Dr Jonny Mekoa. Picture by Debbie Yazbek

At its inception, The Academy had a modest start of less than 20 small group of committed students, training under challenging conditions. In 2005, it moved from Daveyton to a new bigger facility in Cloverdene. The increase in student intake was one of the reasons for the relocation. In 2025, it enrolled over 50 active students across different programmes, including performing arts accredited learnerships. It is not only recognized in Ekurhuleni Metropolitan, but way beyond the Gauteng Province.

Mekoa passed away in 2017 at the age of 72. His vision received widespread support from different musicians who became part of it. Those legends included Victor Ntoni, Jonas Gwangwa, Barney Rachabane, and Khaya Mahlangu. They validated the institution’s purpose and direction. Their presence, mentorship, and encouragement told young students that what they were doing mattered. “Those icons didn’t only inspire musically, they further instilled discipline, pride, and respect for South African Jazz heritage, which remains a cornerstone of MAG’s teaching philosophy”, Monyeki said with a sense of fulfilment.

The Academy has several activities that are aimed at nurturing talent and creating future Jazz musicians. One of those is the outreach programme, which constitutes the venturing out to primary and high schools to circulate information regarding music education. It targets children who have interest in music, but have no means to pursue those dreams. They are facilitated by senior learners from MAG with the supervision of instrument teachers per instrument subject, and always conclude with a short concert for the amusement of young participants.

Hendrick Monyeki. Picture by Essy Photography

Another activity which is popular involves Saturday classes for children. The young ones are taught music theory which enables them to read and write music. They also get to play music instruments such as violins, violas, cellos, guitars, pianos, trumpets, saxophones, and trombones. These classes create a special environment for the children to sharpen their skills at an early age and most importantly, to keep them away from the street corners after normal school classes and during school holidays.

The Berklee/MAG Video Education Project is a music based education project that was instigated by Ellen Francese (Berklee School of Music), USA earlier in 2025. It became Ellen’s dream and was inspired by listening to many USA professionals and student musicians who have visited South Africa, and spoke highly of the music they heard at The Academy. These musicians include Bob Sinicrope (Milton Academy – Boston), John Baboian (Berklee School of Music – Boston), and Frank Peppa who is one of Ellen Francese’s sons and US national.

The Academy also has a mentorship programme which is utilized as a vehicle to further enhance talents of senior learners at the institution. These learners go through the selection process and get incorporated into the Gauteng Jazz Orchestra. When they join the ensemble, they are paid a stipend for every performance, rehearsal and workshop they participate in. The Orchestra is incubated by the MAG and constitutes South Africa’s well know musicians in the Jazz circle and mentorship programme recipients.

Prince Lengoasa. Picture by Siphiwe Mhlambi

One of the activities the MAG prides itself with involves music clinics it conducts from time to time. These clinics are rare but a necessary engagement. Wynton Marsalis (USA), Jeff Coffin (USA), Patrick Bebelaar (Germany), Prof Gunnar Lingren (Sweden), James Morrison (Australia), Rufus Reid (USA), David Beck (Sweden) and Jason Yarde (UK) are some of the musicians that have imparted their impeccable skills at The Academy. These engagements, which the institution is immensely grateful for, expose students to international best practices, broaden their artistic vision, and show them that a global stage is possible.

Monyeki paints a picture of how students usually react to visits by these maestros: “It’s truly magical. You see young musicians’ eyes light up, confident growing instantly as they interact with people they only see on album covers or heard about in history lessons. For many, it is the moment they start believing if such renowned musicians can come and see them, their dreams are valid. These visits plant seeds of ambition, discipline, and hope that stay with students for life”.

Since 1994 to date, MAG has produced an impressive list of talented musicians. It includes Malcolm Jiyane, Mthunzi Mvubu, Nthabiseng Mokoena, Surprise Malanga, Themba Mhlongo, Thabo Ledwaba, Linda Tshabalala, Sindiswa Motha, Tebogo Kaunda, Mduduzi Khumalo, Vuyo Vumisa, Oscar Rachabane, Lawrence October, Priscilla Mahamba, Refilwe Matsho, and Simamkele Mataties. “These artists continue to make us proud locally and internationally”, Monyeki said.

Mthunzi Mvubu. Picture by Thokozani Dlamini

The Academy is very grateful for the funding it has received since its inception. If it were to receive more funding, that will enable it to expand access, improve infrastructure and increase the number of students it can train annually. It would help upgrade instruments and studios, employ more specialist facilitators, offer more bursaries to disadvantaged youth, and strengthen its accredited programmes and international exchange initiatives. “Ultimately, more funding means greater impact, sustainable operations, and a stronger legacy in line with Dr Mekoa’s original vision”, Monyeki emphasized.

The much anticipated event will include workshops which will be addressed by professional musicians including Steven Mabona, Prince Lengoasa, Monyeki himself, and Siyanqoba Mthethwa. In addition, there will be a performance by MAG Big Band which will be conducted by Mthunzi Mvubu. All workshops and the Bing Band concerts are free to for those that wish to attend them. There is a XiTsonga phrase that says “Mintirho Ya Vulavula” which simply means “Good deeds speak volumes”. There is no doubt that the spirit of Dr Johnny Mekoa is resting in peace looking at how The Academy grew from its humble beginnings in Daveyton to Cloverdene, and all its accomplishments.