Naledi Aphiwe, Jay Music and Shandesh to speak, perform at ACCES 2025

Aphiwe, Shandesh and Jay Music will take part in a panel discussion titled Breakthrough Beats: Stories from Africa’s Indie Game-Changers, presented by Virgin Music at the Aula Theatre, University of Pretoria in Tshwane. Following the session, they will perform at the ACCES Showcase Festival on 31 October at Propaganda Pretoria in Tshwane.

The session will focus on how independent African artists can achieve success. It will explore themes such as the role of digital platforms, building a fan base, and the challenges and opportunities of navigating the music industry independently.

The panel will feature first-hand accounts from the artists, ranging from moments that went viral to the behind-the-scenes work that fuels their careers. The conversation will also touch on how creativity, persistence and direct fan engagement have helped them sustain their growth in a competitive market.

For Naledi Aphiwe, the spotlight is nothing new. At just 17, she has already made her mark on the global stage. After Chris Brown featured her voice on ‘Shooter’ off his 2023 album 11:11, she rose from a viral sensation to an international star. With only two singles to her name, Naledi has already amassed more than 13 million views on YouTube and over 370 000 monthly Spotify listeners, proof that her talent is as undeniable as it is inspiring.

Carrying the vibrant sound of Bolobedu into the mainstream, Shandesh is rewriting the rules of versatility. Her breakout hit ‘LOMOLO’ and collaborations with King Monada, Shebeshxt and Kharishma showcase her ability to blend tradition with modern flair, creating a sound that resonates far beyond her roots.

Meanwhile, Jay Music is carving out a bold new path for amapiano. The platinum-selling producer and international DJ is the creator of DeepGrove, a genre-bending style that draws on jazz, kwaito, hip hop and house. Having toured Europe and worked with artists such as Uncle Waffles, Kamo Mphela and Mr JazziQ, Jay is fast becoming one of South Africa’s most influential sonic innovators.

Together, these artists represent the heartbeat of ACCES 2025 — fresh, fearless and globally relevant voices who remind us why African music continues to inspire the world.

ACCES is regarded as one of Africa’s key music industry gatherings, drawing musicians, producers, promoters and policymakers for performances, workshops and networking opportunities. The 2025 edition marks a return to Pretoria, where discussions will centre on emerging industry trends, cultural exchange and strategies for taking African music to global audiences.

One of Africa’s leading music trade events, ACCES, will make its debut in the City of Tshwane from 30 October to 1 November. The programme includes a two-day conference at the Aula Theatre, University of Pretoria (30 and 31 October), followed by a showcase festival — at Propaganda Pretoria on Friday 31 October and 012 Central on Saturday 1 November.

Other confirmed acts for ACCES include Focalistic (South Africa), Thakzin (South Africa), Boukuru (Rwanda), Mwendamberi (Zimbabwe), Jabulile Majola (South Africa), Frida Amani (Tanzania), Tobi Peter (Nigeria), Claudio, Rabe (Madagascar), The Charles Géne Suite (South Africa), Njoki Karu (Kenya), Kekelingo (South Africa), FimFim (Ghana), Mpho Sebina (Botswana), Oumy (Senegal) and Bokani Dyer (South Africa), with a number of artists expected to join the line-up.

Registration for the conference and tickets to the festival are available on the official ACCES website here.

About ACCES

ACCES is a pan-African trade show for music industry players to exchange ideas, discover new talent, and create business linkages. ACCES is held in a different African city every year, attracting active music industry players from across the globe. ACCES 2025 is organised by the Music In Africa Foundation, a non-profit pan-African organisation, in partnership with the City Of Tshwane, the South African National Conventions Bureau, and the SAMPRA Development Fund. See all our sponsors and partners here.

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