Music crossroads academies
This year continued to be a demanding one for cultural organisations in many parts of the world. In a tighter funding environment, sustaining long-term educational programmes has required resilience, adaptability, and careful prioritisation.
Despite socio-economic, political, and institutional challenges, the Music Crossroads Academies exceeded their enrolment target by 60%, with 320 young people provided with high-quality, accessible music education. In parallel, the Academies created meaningful opportunities for many more young musicians from Malawi, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe through complementary activities.
This work was made possible through the continued support of the Norwegian Foreign Ministry, a substantial equipment donation from Focusrite alongside its scholarship programme, and the combined efforts of each Academy and its national partners, including locally generated income that helps sustain daily operations.
Looking ahead, we remain confident in the power of creative education to open pathways, strengthen communities, and inspire change. Building on the foundations laid in 2025, the Academies will further strengthen skills development and international exchange through a newly awarded two-year Erasmus+ Capacity Building for Youth project, supporting mobility, learning, and collaboration across the network. With the commitment of our students, staff, and partners, we will continue expanding opportunities for young musicians across Southern Africa and shaping a future grounded in creativity and possibility.
Regional Highlights
More than 300 students were enrolled and trained through the Music Crossroads Academies’ formal programmes, demonstrating sustained demand for accessible, high-quality music education across the region.
ETHNO programmes created spaces for collaborative creation, peer learning, and intercultural exchange, while women-focused initiatives such as boot camps, workshops, and performance platforms strengthened gender inclusion and supported emerging female artists.
Regional exchanges and international activities, including creative residencies and ETHNO programmes abroad, further supported skills development, expanded professional networks, and increased the visibility of MCA artists beyond their home countries.
Malawi – Highlights
MCA Malawi recorded one of its strongest academic years, with high student engagement, solid exam performance, and successful course completion across programmes. Students demonstrated clear progression in both practical and theoretical training.
The Future Is Female Boot Camp continued to stand out as a flagship empowerment initiative, providing young women with intensive mentorship, skills development, and opportunities for creative expression.
Performances at major national cultural events, including Tumaini Festival and Lake of Stars, alongside partnerships with UNESCO Malawi, the University of Malawi, and Jacaranda Cultural Centre, expanded performance opportunities and strengthened the Academy’s national profile. Several graduates secured paid roles as performers, educators, and facilitators, highlighting the Academy’s contribution to youth employability.
Mozambique – Highlights
A team of students and staff won the Mozambique Music Hackathon 2025, a national competition focused on innovation at the intersection of music, technology, and entrepreneurship, positioning the Academy as a recognised player within the country’s creative economy.
Students performed at high-profile national events, including Festa da Música, reaching large public audiences and gaining significant recognition for their artistic quality.
Collaboration with INICC strengthened institutional standing, while broad media coverage through national and regional broadcasters increased public awareness of the Academy’s work.
The second edition of the Mulher Criativa initiative provided training, exhibitions, and performance opportunities for women in the arts, reinforcing commitment to gender inclusion and creative leadership.
Zimbabwe – Highlights
2025 marked the first full year of operations under the newly registered DZANO Music Trust, strengthening governance structures and providing a more stable foundation for future development.
Students performed at national platforms such as the Mitambo International Theatre Festival and Cultural Month events, demonstrating strong artistic development and renewed institutional activity. Increased emphasis on student wellbeing, safeguarding, and structured learning environments contributed to improved stability and quality of delivery.
Looking Ahead
The Music Crossroads Academies continue to provide safe, supportive, and professionally structured learning environments for young musicians. In 2026, the focus will be on strengthening academic quality, advancing accreditation processes, expanding opportunities for women and vulnerable groups, deepening partnerships, improving sustainability, and supporting clearer pathways to employment within the creative sector.
