'We use music to empower and change young lives': Fundi Mbabane, Bridges for Music Academy

Kfm 94.5's EB Inglis speaks to Fundi Mbabane, the Programme Manager for Creative Club and a proud graduate of Bridges Academy.

Listen below:

In April, Kfm 94.5, in collaboration with Primedia Cares, announced a transformative partnership with the Bridges for Music Academy — a beacon of hope for aspiring young creatives.

Bridges for Music is a non-profit organisation that was established 12 years ago.

From the vibrant streets of Langa, this powerful alliance aims to provide meaningful opportunities for unemployed youth, offering access to resources and a lifeline through world-class education in music, well-being, and entrepreneurship.

The Bridges for Music Academy is more than a school — it is a sanctuary where creativity is cultivated, potential is realised, and futures are ignited.

Through a holistic approach to education, the organisation offers programmes focused on electronic music, digital literacy, mindfulness, and entrepreneurship, equipping the next generation of artists and innovators with the tools to thrive personally and professionally.

Mbabane explains what the academy is all about...

".. the Academy is a life skills centre... we use music as a drawing tool to empower and change young lives. We do this through education and mindfulness, entrepreneurship and music. If you look at what an artist needs, those are the key elements."

- Fundi Mbabane, Creative Club at Bridges Academy

"Applying at Bridges was a gift to myself.... life-changing for me... there's always doubt around life... what you can achieve... the biggest thing I've acquired in this space is just having a positive mind, and just having so much trust in myself... those have been the greatest gifts so far."

- Fundi Mbabane, Creative Club at Bridges Academy

"I couldn't personally afford to pay for my studies to pursue music, so being here, the school being so accessible to young people in the community... in townships life is not so black and white... There are those grey areas... and having a space like this where we all have access to as a community of Langa, it was a well-deserved need... one person connects with so many people in our community. So, we don't only change the life of one individual that comes into the premises, but the lives of their family too... all lives have been impacted in a very beautiful way."

- Fundi Mbabane, Creative Club at Bridges Academy

"My life was touched, so my family's life was touched..."

- Fundi Mbabane, Creative Club at Bridges Academy

Mbabane explains what the Creative Club at the Academy is all about...

"Kids every day, Monday to Friday from 3:30 pm, come to the school, we provide them with lunch and we create a sacred space where they're able to speak to us... It's a space that we've created for kids from the community where we aim to empower them and their minds and expose them to safety... There are a lot of cultural barriers where kids don't have the vocal capacity or ability to speak and have their own ideas or expressions... Here, we provide them with safety and allow them to be as creative as they can be."

- Fundi Mbabane, Creative Club at Bridges Academy

International artists and musicians stop by the Academy regularly. DJ Martin Garrix visited recently and that was a highlight for Mbabane.

To enrol your kids into the Academy, click here.

This week, the Kfm 94.5 team stopped by Bridges for Music. Here are some moments captured from the day...

Image by: Ruth Smith

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the full conversation.