Anyone who knows Johannesburg knows it’s a city with a serious nightlife. So, it’s little wonder that The Night Embassy by Jägermeister chose it as their first destination on African soil. Having previously touched down in Berlin and Moscow, they’re now presenting a series of after dark happenings embracing this city’s vital party culture. More than an excuse for a good time though, the platform has partnered with a creative board of South African luminaries to select four emerging voices from the local underground scene to receive funding and a month-long mentorship. They’ll then curate The Night Embassy’s multidisciplinary showcase this December.

After an open call that attracted hundreds of applicants, the judges - Theresho Selesho (Matchbox Live events company), Jana Hamman (Jana and Koos creative agency), DJ Lelowhatsgood (Vogue Nights ballroom extravaganza), Thuli Keupzz (Lawk Communications talent agency) and Day Day Marumo (Perfect Weather skate brand) - honed in on those individuals and collectives whose events and ideas are already actively uplifting and celebrating their communities. Through The Night Embassy residency programme, they’ll be helped to further cultivate their practice, which will in turn will feed Joburg’s creative landscape.

As a media partner, Nataal exclusively profiles these four The Night Embassy ambassadors who are now getting ready to bring the house down.

Other Village People

“Other Village People creates experiences for LGBTQIA+ communities to feel liberated, to live in the truest reflection of self, connect, celebrate and find their tribe,” explain Andiswa Dlamini aka AN.D and Kefiloe Siwisa of their events company. The co-founders have been on the scene since 2016 with their party Same Sex Saturday in Durban and Joburg and Grounded, which offers alternative experiences such as hiking and suppers. Siwisa is also currently a senior associate at Stevenson Gallery and Dlamini has DJed globally.

With their shared experience and vision, OVP is doing vital work. “All nightlife around the world can learn from one another. But what nightlife in general highlights is the importance of having safe spaces to just be,” the duo assert. “In Joburg, it gives people a space to find release and connect to their chosen creative family.”

Kombonation

Kananelo Kabelo Sello and Kgotso Selomah both studied at The Market Photo Workshop and set up Kobonation in 2018 to produce moving image, photography and clothing that, they tell us, “specialises in real and raw visual storytelling – by the kasi, for the kasi, and beyond.” From making films about the Pantsula subculture to creating printed Ts, Kombonation is about bringing the narratives of Soweto and township life to light.

“With our understanding of how photography plays a powerful role in history, and the fact that many of the kasi dwellers aren't able to finish or even go to school, we've taken it upon ourselves to enforce the crucial skill of visual literacy amongst our people to enhance learning as a whole,” they add. “We want to empower them to become critical thinkers so that they're always considerate of others and their surroundings. This way, we can make our dream of safer streets and fun-filled nights a reality.”

Dormant Youth

“The innovation in Joburg’s arts and culture is unparalleled globally right now. We can teach the world how to dance through anything,” says Thelma Ndebele of Dormant Youth. Having received their masters from the University of Johannesburg, they turned to DJing BPM-hungry electronic music, such as Chicago footwork, drill and techno, as a way to define a space, as well as act as an archive of it. Ndebele is a resident DJ at Vogue Nights and a regular at Pussy Party plus has joined the line-up at Boiler Room and CTM.

Their sets are not only intense listening experiences but also act as research into how people move and interact with one another as a response to the music and their physical surroundings. “I want to build architectural structures specifically catering to Joburg nightlife. I want to add interesting installations into the club space as an additional layer to the excitement of going out. And with The Night Embassy, I hope to gain some experience, connections and expertise as well as a new perspective on my chosen profession.”

Unmuted

Thabang Dapper and Lincoln Long both hail from Limpopo, the former an ad man turned rapper and the latter a DJ, producer and artist. Together they established Unmuted as an independent record label in 2017 to release their own music and it’s since grown to sign other future thinking artists such as Viwe, Faraai and Thulo. In 2020 they launched a live division with two events, Unmute the City and Sunday After Sunday, as well as an online radio station.

“Unmuted’s aim is to give a voice to the unheard, to unmute the muted,” these unstoppable co-founders tell us. “Joburg has some of the best talent the world is yet to see. From music, fashion and food to the sense of community, we are a unique city because of all the diverse cultures. At this current moment, a new generation is about to take the helm and it is fascinating how new ideas and concepts are coming up like never before.”

The Night Embassy Johannesburg by Jägermeister launches on 23 October 2021 at Anthill, Maboneng, followed by a two-night, four-location experience from 10-11 December 2021. Discover more here.