Looking for fresh ideas?
Contact Us to find the perfect match for your next event!
Jeremy Olivier music career started in his small home town, Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe, where his passion for guitar catapulted him into a gigging rock band, touring the country from the age of 14.
After completing his A-Levels in Harare, Jeremy decided to further pursue music and he moved to Cape Town, where he obtained a BMus Honours in Jazz Performance from UCT’s College of Music.
Now, well established as a guitarist and vocalist in South Africa, Jeremy Olivier has performed with some great international artists such as George Benson, Katherine Jenkins, Jonathan Butler and Daniel Bedingfield.
Jeremy Olivier has also shared the stage with some of South Africa’s finest musicians and artists, including Danny K, Loyiso Bala, Sibongile Khumalo, GoodLuck, Judith Sephuma, Ard Matthews, Arno Carstens, FreshlyGround, Mango Groove, Jimmy Nevis and Johnny Clegg.
He has performed all over South Africa, as well as in Germany, Switzerland, Holland and Dubai at various shows, festivals and concerts.
In February 2012, he released his first single, ‘Serendipity’ to radio which became an instant hit and introduced him as an artist to the radio-listening public.
Jeremy Olivier then went on to record a four track E.P. and he released a further two singles, ‘It’s My Time’ and ‘What About Now’ from that E.P., both receiving the same enthusiastic response from deejays and the public alike. ‘Serendipity’ charted at # 6 on Heart 104.9’s SA Top 10 and ‘It’s My Time’ charted at # 21 on Radio Heidelberg’s Top 30 and at # 2 on Bush Radio.
All three songs were also picked up by Mood media and are now playing in the USA on the DMX Acoustic Chill channel as well as in retail stores throughout Northern America.
In February 2013, Jeremy released his fourth single, ‘Look at us Now’ to radio and he started working on completing his debut album.
In November 2013, ‘It’s My Time’ and ‘Breathing Underwater’ were chosen as the theme songs for two international ads for Huntington Beach Sun Foams.
August 2014 marked the release of Jeremy’s fifth single, ‘Beautiful’ – a heart-warming song about his adopted son who was abandoned at birth.
The song and the music video are currently being used by UNICEF SA to raise awareness for a new campaign that they are running: Ending Violence Against Children (#endviolence) and Jeremy was asked to become a Celebrity Advocate for UNICEF South Africa.
In June 2015, Jeremy Olivier was nominated for a Wawela Award for Best Male Artist and Composer for his debut album alongside Elvis Blue and Mandoza.
Jeremy’s sixth single, ‘Can’t Help Myself’ – a funky, up-tempo, Afro-Pop track that combines Jeremy’s signature sound with his Zimbabwean roots – was released to radio in March 2015 and climbed the Top 40 charts on Cape Town’s Heart 104.9.
Jeremy Olivier often travels to Holland for tours where the response to his music has been overwhelming and many opportunities are opening up on the horizon.
In addition to performing, Jeremy also regularly composes and arranges the musical score for Sunrise Productions ‘Jungle Beat’ animated series (showing worldwide on Cartoon Network, RAI, Canal +, Al Jazeera etc.)
He has written an arranged the theme song for the new SA Rugby mascot, ‘Bokkie’ as well as ‘Sharkie’ for the Sharks Ruby Team.
In 2008, he wrote and co-wrote the original songs, ‘Free Free’ and ‘Sweet Love’ for an international animated movie, ‘The Lion of Judah’ which was released in the US in June 2011.
In 2016, Jeremy Olivier took his talent to live TV on the very first season of The Voice SA. He won the hearts of the viewers and went right to the finale finishing as the winning contestant in Team Lira and achieving his spot in the final top four.
He also won the attention of his music idol, Oliver Mtukudzi, after singing a rendition of his song, ‘Neria’ on the show and there are plans to work together in the future.
Contact us at Speakers Inc and subscribe to our YouTube channel
If ever there was a band that gave life to that weird South African music phenomenon which has everyone who hears their music assuming they are an international act, then Joe Niemand – Conference Entertainers is it.
For months now, the four piece’s melodic rock has dominated airwaves, with songs like “Words” and “Simple Truth” easily slipping into the hearts and minds of music fans now rapidly cottoning onto the fact that Niemand is proudly South African – a truly homegrown group that makes music of a global standard.
That Niemand crafts songs so effortlessly memorable has much to do with the group’s namesake and frontman.
Joe Niemand has been quietly moving behind-the-scenes of the South African music industry, becoming an in-demand songwriter and performer for those in the know – credited for his intuitive gift for a melody and knack of crafting lyrics that speak of universal themes of love, struggle and redemption.
Put this to Joe, however, and this unassuming singer and songwriter is reluctant to make too big a fuss out of his unparalleled reputation in the South African music business, professing to hardly remembering his impressive slate of work.
“I feel like my musical life is beginning with Reborn. It’s the album that I have been waiting to make for years because before this, my songwriting took the form of whoever I was writing for.
With Reborn I wrote every song specifically for this album, with each representing something extremely important in my life.”
Much of Joe Niemand’s low-profile has to do with Joe’s belief in letting the music speak for itself. And thankfully for fans of perfectly on-point rock music, Reborn’s set of 14-songs is gaining momentum, on the back of solid radio-play, the selection of “Rise” as Supersport’s official theme for last November’s UK Springbok rugby tour and plenty of word-of-mouth buzz around the group.
What sets apart Niemand’s debut is the intense journey the album represents – a representation through words, music and visuals (check out Reborn’s artwork) of Joe’s personal journey of the past 10 years.
Contact us at Speakers Inc and subscribe to our YouTube channel
Sho Madjozi is a rising star from Shirley Village in Limpopo who shot to fame after featuring in the hit track Gqi by OkmalumkoolKat earlier this year. She has since released tracks with Dj Maphorisa, Khuli Chana, Ghanaian artist Wanlov, Ms Cosmo and others.
Her single Dumi hi Phone with PS DJz went viral, gaining her bookings all over the country. The song has sat on the number 1 spot at Yfm, and been in the top ten of multiple national radio stations including Metro Fm.
While she calls herself a rapper she can often be found flexing her flows on Gqom beats.
Famous for bringing Xitsonga to the mainstream and for her exhilarating performances in which she wears a colorful Tsonga dancing skirt, Xibelani, Sho Madjozi has played some of the biggest shows in the country including Fill Up FNB, Afropunk, Castle Lite Unlocks and others.
Aside from music, Sho Madjozi was cast as Tsakani on Mzansi Magic Telenovela Isithembiso.
She is the new presenter for SABC 2 show Nhlalala ya Rixaka and Absolut vodka SA recently selected her to be one of their new Creative Revolutionaries.
Contact us at Speakers Inc and subscribe to our YouTube channel
With their mischievous rock sound, Lonehill Estate shows are riddled with humorous anecdotes and eye-twitchingly good music. The band has achieved much in recent years.
Lonehill Estate (Nathan Ro, David Waugh, Sunshine D and Mark van den Berg) is one of the top live performing bands in South Africa.
With their mischievous rock sound, their shows are riddled with humorous anecdotes and eye-twitchingly good music. The band has achieved much in recent years.
The band burst onto radio in 2005 with hit singles “Girl On A Roof” and “Skyward” dominating the airwaves.
The band did however get to perform alongside Muse, Korn, Good Charlotte and 30 Seconds to Mars at the 2008 My Coke Fest that same year.)
Contact us at Speakers Inc and view our International site
In 2003 Freshlyground – Conference Entertainers launched their debut album, Jika Jika under their own Freeground Records label, the immediate success of which firmly cemented the band as one of South Africa’s most successful young acts.
Freshlyground formed in early 2002, and is made up of seven talented and diverse musicians from South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
Fronted by the diminutive but dynamic Zolani Mahola, the band exudes a live performance energy that has been the bedrock of their success.
The experienced rhythm section of Peter Cohen (drums) & Josh Hawks (bass) is complimented by guitarist Julio Sigauque, keyboardist Seredeal Scheepers, Simon Attwell (flute, mbira, sax and harmonica) and violinist Kyla Rose Smith.
Although hailing from diverse backgrounds, between them the band’s members weave a musical magic that is highly infectious and undeniably groovy.
Freshlyground – Conference Entertainers released their second studio album Nomvula in July 2004. Nomvula was recorded and produced by JB Arthur and Sibusiso Victor Masondo.
The album sparked interest from Sony BMG Africa, who signed the band and released Nomvula in September that year. Radio quickly picked up on the single ‘Doo Be Doo’ and the catchy song went on to become a crossover favorite amongst a diverse spread of stations and their listeners.
‘Doo Be Doo’ was the most played song in South Africa in 2005.
The major success of ‘Doo Be Doo’ was followed by the singles ‘I’d Like’, ‘Zithande’, ‘Things Have Changed’ and the title track of the album Nomvula.
The album sold 300 000 units in South Africa alone- earning it multi-platinum status. The success and broad appeal of the band was celebrated in November 2006 when Freshly Ground-Conference Band Entertainers won the MTV Europe Award in the category Best African Act.
The award placed the band firmly on the international music map and earned them further recognition on home soil as significant South African cultural exports.
The success of Nomvula was followed by Ma Cheri – Freshlyground’s third studio album, released in September 2007.
The album’s release was followed by a major South African tour attended by over 25 000 people across four cities. The tour was produced by Freshlyground and supported by Volkswagen South Africa .
The tour successfully raised the performance and production standards of local touring, putting the band on par with international acts in terms of production scale and value.
Ma Cheri has sold 80 000 units to date in South Africa and the single Pot Belly is another major crossover success, and is play listed on all South African radio stations.
Five years on Freshlyground – Conference Entertainers are a still a sensation. In South Africa audiences of every race cram in to see them. Old people get up and dance.
Contact us at Speakers Inc and subscribe to our YouTube channel
Andy Hadfield is a digital native – he can’t really remember life without the internet. He is fascinated with the impact it is having on our lives, as well as our businesses. Andy is a Business Speaker on IT Trends for the future.
With an entertaining and compelling personality, he speaks with authority and insight about the new shape of life, work and play in our digital world.
Andy’s achievements:
Andy launched his first start-up at the tender age of 19 – getALife. This social network was a political and community mouthpiece for South African students between 1997 – 2005.
This site was covered on every major media platform, including Time Magazine. It also has the dubious honour of being sued by Robert Mugabe.
Andy Hadfield spent the next 7 years, mastering his strategic skills across a wide range of industries, including finance, professional services, construction and media
Andy was also involved with creating South Africa’s first monetised niche social network, DesignMind which drives communication and collaboration across the construction industry.
He helped FNB develop a team to manage their digital strategy across the consumer banking segment.
This included projects such as ‘corporate crowdsourcing’, the bank’s first official Facebook presence, a major overhaul of the consumer website and a world-class ‘Amazon-style’ online sales system – so that consumers can get FNB products in under ten minutes, and not even moving from their couch!
Real Time Wine is a retail discovery engine and consumer review community for the wine industry. It is the mobile application and the social community for everyone who enjoys wine and not just for those who understand it. The product has now been extended into the beer industry, with MyBEER, an innovative collaboration with SAB.
Andy Hadfield is a Business Speaker who will in an energetic manner wow you with IT trends and how we can move forward in business.
Contact us at Speakers Inc and subscribe to our YouTube channel
Richard Poplak is an award-winning author, journalist, and filmmaker. He has become one of the most widely read and controversial political journalists in South Africa, editing at large for the Daily Maverick. Poplak has reported from over 25 developing countries, for the Financial Times, Atlantic Monthly, The Guardian, among others. He was recently part of a team that won the prestigious Global Shining Light award for investigative journalism.
Richard has worked as a freelance journalist and writer since 2005. His work has been anthologized numerous times, and he frequently appears on Al Jazeera, BBC, CBC, and elsewhere as a commentator on topics that range from world events to sport: he is considered a go-to voice on the burgeoning Sino-African relationship; on South African politics; and on international cycling.
Richard Poplak is a former Rockefeller Fellow, and a recipient of the Bookmark Award for the best journalist in South Africa. He is also a contributor in the innovative global investigative journalist collective Deca Stories.
As a member in the Gupta Leaks team, Richard Poplak helped break one of the biggest stories in South African media history. The journalistic consortium won the Taco Kuiper Investigative Journalism award, Vodacom Journalist of the Year, and was cited for a Nat Nkasa Bravery in Journalism award. In 2019, the team won the prestigious 2019 Global Shining Light award, the highest honour in investigative journalism.
Before Richard Poplak became a journalist, Richard trained as a filmmaker and fine artist at Montreal’s Concordia University (1992-1995) and has produced an directed numerous music videos, television commercials, and documentary films. He is the co-director of a documentary feature film on the public relations firm Bell Pottinger, called Influence, which is premiering in competition at the Sundance Film Festival in 2020.
Keynote Topic
INFLUENCE: THE RISE AND FALL OF THE WORLD’S MOST DANGEROUS PUBLIC RELATIONS COMPANY
Synopsis
The feature-length documentary film INFLUENCE charts the recent advancements in weaponized communication by investigating the rise and fall of the world’s most notorious public relations and reputation management firm: the British multinational Bell Pottinger.
Contact us at Speakers Inc and subscribe to our YouTube channel
Manteca is Durban’s hot Afro-Caribbean Salsa band. The Band has been moving hips and lighting up dance floors around the various salsa and live music venues in KZN and JHB since 2009.
The band is currently an 8 piece line up consisting: Raul Vasquez (a bona fide Salsa Dance Champion and instructor) on male vocals, Nosihe Zulu on female vocals, Avikaar Maney on Alto sax, Johan van der Molen on Tenor sax, Daniel Sheldon on Trumpet, Alberto Chemane on percussion/kit, Monks Legget on Bass and Avinash Maney on keys and Guitar.
Our repertoire includes some traditional and folkloric Afro Caribbean songs (Anabacoa, RanKanKan, La Esencia del Guaguanco) as well as some more contemporary tunes (Havana, Despacito, All of Me) and some Latin favorites (Oye Como Va, Labamba, Guantanamera) and some Latin versions of our own South African favorites (Pata Pata, Ntjilo Ntjilo, Meadowlands).
We have a crew of Salsa dancers that can be brought in to share and activate your Dance floor as well as some professional Dancers who can lead your guests in a fun and interactive Salsa line dance (a fantastic ice breaker) and do some dance Demo features and even lead a class on the beginner steps of Salsa.
The band has evolved over the years varying between a 13 piece and an 8 piece line up featuring a culturally diverse array of individuals with a passion for the intense rhythmically charged art form of Afro Caribbean music (a fusion itself of European classical and African musical traditions).
Durban’s hot-blooded, authentic, cooking Afro Cuban Salsa Band. Continuing the evolution and journey of Salsa and making it a part of Durbans Rich Cultural identity.
The band has over its existence featured at many corporate, cultural and sport events with even a favorably reviewed show at the local Rhumbelow Theatre.
Manteca (meaning Fat or Grease) loves fusing ideas of Music, Dance, Art, Architecture, Culture and Fashion (even inspiring a range of “Manteca Shirts” by Designer KMK).
Contact us at Speakers Inc and subscribe to our YouTube channel
