Education Empowers SA Music - Lolo Vandal Graduates Soul Candi/Univ. of Pretoria Music Business Course Supported by SAMRO

Lolo Vandal’s completion of the Music Business and Entertainment Management programme — delivered by Soul Candi in partnership with the University of Pretoria and supported by SAMRO — is a timely example of how targeted education is strengthening South Africa’s music industry by equipping artists with business skills, rights awareness, and entrepreneurial tools.

Lolo Vandal’s graduation is more than a personal milestone; it is a signal of a broader shift in the South African music ecosystem toward professionalisation and sustainability. By completing the Music Business and Entertainment Management certification, graduates gain practical knowledge in music publishing, rights management, revenue streams, and entertainment entrepreneurship — skills that help artists move from informal, short-term income strategies to structured careers that generate long-term value.

The programme’s academic certification through the University of Pretoria and the operational support from SAMRO reinforce the link between creative practice and institutional frameworks that protect creators’ incomes and intellectual property. This kind of training directly addresses persistent industry challenges. Many South African artists lack access to clear information about royalties, publishing, and contract negotiation, which leaves them vulnerable to exploitation and lost income.

Education initiatives like the one supported by SAMRO and the Music Business Lab provide practical, actionable tools — from registering works and understanding mechanical and performance royalties to building publishing ventures — that enable artists to monetise their work more effectively and to participate in the value chain beyond performance. These outcomes are visible in recent cohorts where emerging music publishers and entrepreneurs have graduated with the skills to launch businesses and manage catalogues.

Lolo Vandal’s profile as an artist, filmmaker, and cultural influencer underscores the multiplier effect of such programmes. When creatives combine artistic practice with business acumen, they can create jobs, mentor peers, and develop local content industries that feed festivals, radio, streaming platforms, and film.

His work amplifying stories from King William’s Town and his presence across national media illustrate how trained creatives can translate local narratives into commercially viable cultural products while retaining ownership and control.

Looking ahead, the continued collaboration between music institutes, universities, and rights organisations will be crucial for South Africa to capitalise on global demand for its music. Education builds the infrastructure for independent artists to scale, for publishers to professionalise, and for the industry to attract investment.

Celebrating graduates like Lolo Vandal is therefore not only a recognition of individual achievement but also a public affirmation that education is the key to unlocking a more equitable, resilient, and internationally competitive South African music industry.