20th August Kamo Matsoso

Kamo Matsoso, 26, is a young musician, arts facilitator, educator and creative entrepreneur who strongly believes in empowering new talent so they could find their way in the music world. Apart from being a mesmerising performer of her own music, Matsoso, through her creative business, Sounds of Kamo, teaches music to young and older people keen to express themselves through sound. She helps them find their voice and direction, and her music workshops take place around Gauteng. For example, in Tembisa on the East Rand, she has worked with the Moses Molelekwa Foundation, alongside Joy of Jazz to shine a spotlight on the amazing talent in the area. She’s a creative hero. “Education has always been my form of empowerment,” Matsoso says. “I have found beauty in teaching young people not just what they go to school to learn, but to instil values they can take to the creative industry.” Matsoso, who grew up in the Vaal, south of Johannesburg, got trained in music from an early age. Initially, it was classical music but today she can hold her own in a jazz setting. She plays a variety of instruments including a keyboard, flute and alto saxophone. Matsoso holds an Honours degree in Performing and Visual Arts (that encompassed majors in music performance, music business, performing arts management and history of art) from the Wits School of Arts.