{"id":267616,"date":"2025-10-23T14:53:39","date_gmt":"2025-10-23T12:53:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/?p=267616"},"modified":"2025-10-23T14:58:57","modified_gmt":"2025-10-23T12:58:57","slug":"local-producer-wins-national-competition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/local-producer-wins-national-competition\/","title":{"rendered":"Local producer wins national competition"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

KARIEGA <\/strong>– In a world where musical talent often emerges from major metropolitan centres, one producer from Kariega is proving that exceptional artistry knows no geographical boundaries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anda Macuba, also known as TheAudioAnda, whose musical journey began at the tender age of 12, recently claimed victory in Soul Candi’s prestigious Mix on the Move: Next Gen 2025 competition, marking a significant milestone in a career built on passion, persistence, and unwavering dedication to the craft.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The announcement, which sent waves of excitement through the town’s community, represents more than just a competition win; it’s the culmination of years of artistic development, personal growth, and a deep-rooted connection to music that traces back to childhood influences and family traditions.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From DJ-ing at high school parties to formal music technology studies, from battling self-doubt to conquering national stages, this is the story of an artist whose success serves as both inspiration and testament to the untapped creative potential that exists in South Africa’s smaller towns.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking to UD Express<\/em>, Macuba said, “Firstly, I come from a family that appreciates art, and has invested in it throughout my upbringing. From my dad being a founding member of a jazz club and loving literature, to being introduced to different genres when music was played around the house. I believe that really rubbed off on me.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He added, “My musical journey began at a very young age. I was probably 12 years old when I started investing my time and efforts in understanding the craft, and eventually creating my own music. From DJ-ing at parties in my high school years, to releasing my own creations – I finally made a decision to formally study music technology in 2018.”\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sharing his experience of taking on the competition, he said that entering national competitions has helped him get over his personal feelings of self-doubt and whether his art is good enough. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“It has also given me a lot of reassurance and courage. Competitions can be a bit daunting and frustrating, because in all honesty, no one really wants to lose. However, the process helps you develop tough skin.” \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Macuba added that, like the Remy Martin competition \u2014 another competition he entered previously \u2014 his preparation and process are somewhat identical. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I take a few days to fully focus on the task at hand whilst taking regular breaks just so I don’t get too lost in what I’m creating. These breaks also help in gathering inspiration from other things outside of the creative process.”\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Macuba had always wanted to pursue music. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He shared that he has always been creatively inclined, so it only made sense to him that he should be in the creative space \u2014 whatever role that was. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

Coming from a small town like Kariega has its drawbacks, especially in the arts sector. But having the privilege of visiting family in major cities really exposed me to a lot of possibilities.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

He added that winning this competition felt a bit long overdue considering the number of years he has put in to perfect his craft. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“It has also made me appreciate the journey even more. I would simply call it divine timing. After all the excitement and congratulatory messages, one question remained at the back of my mind: ‘What’s next?’ I feel like there’s so much more to be done, because this is just the beginning, in my eyes.”\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said that he also wants to urge creatives to invest more effort into their art and for people in positions of influence and power to invest more resources into the creative space. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Kariega has so much to offer to the world,” he concluded.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Anda Macuba, a talented producer from Kariega, won the Mix on the Move: Next Gen 2025 competition, showcasing the artistic potential from South Africa’s smaller towns through dedication and perseverance.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":267617,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_linkdex":"71","_yoast_wpseo_content_score":"30","_yoast_wpseo_inclusive_language_score":"90","_yoast_wpseo_is_cornerstone":"","_yoast_wpseo_canonical":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-title":"Local producer wins national competition against all odds","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-description":"From Kariega to national recognition, local producer wins national competition, marking a major milestone in music history.","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image-id":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image-id":"","newspack_ads_suppress_ads":false,"newspack_sponsor_sponsorship_scope":"","newspack_sponsor_native_byline_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_native_category_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_style":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_placement":"inherit","_crsspst_to_novanewscoza":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozabloemnewsexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozacityvision":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozadistrictmailhelderberg":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaeikestadnuus":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozahermanustimes":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozakomani-karoo":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozakougaexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozamthathaexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozanoordkaapbulletin":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozapaarlpost":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozapeexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozapeoplespost":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaswartlandgazette":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozatygerburger":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozavistanews":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozavrystaatkroon":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaweskusnuus":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaweslander":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaworcesterstandard":false,"_eb_attr":"","_EventAllDay":"","_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":"","_EventShowMapLink":"","_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":"","_EventVenueID":"","_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":"","_VenueShowMapLink":"","_application":"","_batch_id":"","_company_name":"","_company_tagline":"","_company_twitter":"","_company_video":"","_company_website":"","_custom_id":"","_EventDuration":"","_EventOrigin":"","_EventTimezoneAbbr":"","_featured":"","_filled":"","_job_expires":"","_job_location":"","_media_credit":"","_media_credit_url":"","_menu_item_menu_item_parent":"","_menu_item_object":"","_menu_item_object_id":"","_menu_item_target":"","_menu_item_type":"","_menu_item_url":"","_menu_item_xfn":"","_navis_media_can_distribute":"","_navis_media_credit_org":"","_OrganizerOrigin":"","_provider":"","_pum_built_in":"","_pum_default_theme":"","_pum_form_conversion_count":"","_remote_id":"","_remote_name":"","_remote_position":"","_report_frequency":"","_report_reference_dates":"","_send_attempts":"","_site_id":"","_sitemap_exclude":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","_sitemap_priority":"","_source_url":"","_subscription_period":"","_subscription_period_interval":"","_subscription_price":"","_tec_slr_enabled":"","_tec_slr_layout":"","_template_type":"","_ticket_end_date":"","_ticket_start_date":"","_tribe_aggregator_allow_multiple_organizers":"","_tribe_aggregator_content_type":"","_tribe_aggregator_file":"","_tribe_aggregator_finalized":"","_tribe_aggregator_hash":"","_tribe_aggregator_import_id":"","_tribe_aggregator_import_name":"","_tribe_aggregator_interactive":"","_tribe_aggregator_origin":"","_tribe_aggregator_post_status":"","_tribe_aggregator_preview":"","_tribe_aggregator_source_name":"","_tribe_aggregator_type":"","_tribe_default_ticket_provider":"","_tribe_hide_attendees_list":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_tribe_ticket_capacity":"","_tribe_ticket_header":"","_tribe_ticket_show_description":"","_tribe_ticket_show_not_going":"","_tribe_ticket_version":"","_type":"","_VenueOrigin":"","_wp_attachment_context":"","_wp_attachment_image_alt":"","_wp_font_face_file":"","_wp_old_date":"","_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes":"3","_yoast_wpseo_focuskeywords":"","_yoast_wpseo_focuskw_text_input":"","_yoast_wpseo_keywordsynonyms":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_block-catalog":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":"1","_yoast_wpseo_primary_job_listing_type":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_nova_retailer":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_publication":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_tribe_events_cat":"","_yoast_wpseo_videositemap-duration":"","_yoast_wpseo_videositemap-rating":"","_menu_item_classes":[],"_tribe_modified_fields":[],"_wp_attachment_backup_sizes":[],"_wp_suggested_privacy_policy_content":[],"_yoast_post_redirect_info":[],"_yoast_wpseo_video_meta":[],"activation_date":"","archive_insertion_is_repeating":"","archive_insertion_posts_count":"","article_feature_media":"1","article_feature_type":"normal","article_main_image_caption":"Anda Macuba, also known as TheAudioAnda. PHOTO: SUPPLIED","article_media_icon":"1","article_template":"news","author_byline":"","background_color":"","block_editor":"1","byline":"","cmplz_hide_cookiebanner":"","competition_end_date":"","contact_advertise_email":"","contact_advertise_phone":"","contact_editorial_email":"","contact_general_email":"","contact_general_phone":"","contact_office_hours":"","contact_physical_address":"","enabled":"","featured_image_custom_caption":"","featured_video_url":"","fields":"","font_body":"","font_header":"","frequency":"","headline":"Local producer wins national competition","hide_border":"","icon":"","is_wp_suggestion":"","issuu_download_url":"","issuu_embed_url":"","language_version_url":"","large_border":"","name":"","nm_contact_name":"","nm_contact_number":"","nm_date_lost":"","no_overlay_background":"","node-url":"","obituary_born_date":"","obituary_died_date":"","obituary_memoriam_text":"","origin":"","overlay_color":"","overlay_opacity":"","overlay_size":"","placement":"","plural_label":"","post_author":"","post_id":"","post_language":"en","secret-key":"","sponsored_utm_campaign":"","sponsored_utm_content":"","sponsored_utm_medium":"","sponsored_utm_source":"","sponsored_utm_term":"","start_date":"","utm_suppression":"","video_embed_url":"","wp_pattern_sync_status":"","data_version":[],"enclosure":[],"pongrass_image":["sjProducer_P1"],"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_newspack_byline_active":false,"_newspack_byline":"","newspack_content_restriction_is_exempt":false,"scaip_prevent_shortcode_addition":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[7903,7904,7961,7909],"newspack_spnsrs_tax":[],"publication":[],"class_list":["post-267616","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-community-highlights","tag-local-stories","tag-music","tag-recommended"],"yoast_head":"\nLocal producer wins national competition and inspires talent | UD Express (Uitenhage)<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Local producer wins national competition, Anda Macuba, highlights the importance of dedication and community support in music.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/local-producer-wins-national-competition\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Local producer wins national competition against all odds\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"From Kariega to national recognition, local producer wins national competition, marking a major milestone in music history.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/local-producer-wins-national-competition\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"UD Express (Uitenhage)\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PEExpress1\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-10-23T12:53:39+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-10-23T12:58:57+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_8153_12315.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"803\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Shanti Jafta\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"Local producer wins national competition\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@EP_Media24\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@EP_Media24\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Shanti Jafta\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/local-producer-wins-national-competition\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/local-producer-wins-national-competition\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Shanti Jafta\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/eaef9a59110693083d0705dacb8ba9ed\"},\"headline\":\"Local producer wins national competition\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-10-23T12:53:39+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-10-23T12:58:57+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/local-producer-wins-national-competition\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":613,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/local-producer-wins-national-competition\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/IMG_8153_12315.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Community Highlights\",\"Local Stories\",\"Music\",\"Recommended\"],\"articleSection\":[\"News\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/local-producer-wins-national-competition\\\/#respond\"]}],\"copyrightYear\":\"2025\",\"copyrightHolder\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/#organization\"}},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/local-producer-wins-national-competition\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/local-producer-wins-national-competition\\\/\",\"name\":\"Local producer wins national competition and inspires talent | UD Express (Uitenhage)\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/local-producer-wins-national-competition\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/local-producer-wins-national-competition\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/IMG_8153_12315.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-10-23T12:53:39+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-10-23T12:58:57+00:00\",\"description\":\"Local producer wins national competition, Anda Macuba, highlights the importance of dedication and community support in music.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/local-producer-wins-national-competition\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/local-producer-wins-national-competition\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/local-producer-wins-national-competition\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/IMG_8153_12315.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/IMG_8153_12315.jpg\",\"width\":1200,\"height\":803,\"caption\":\"Anda Macuba, also known as TheAudioAnda.\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/local-producer-wins-national-competition\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"News\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/news\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Local producer wins national competition\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/\",\"name\":\"UD Express\",\"description\":\"To Inform, Engage and Empower Local Communities\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"UD Express\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/uitenhage-despatch-site-icon.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/uitenhage-despatch-site-icon.png\",\"width\":512,\"height\":512,\"caption\":\"UD Express\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/PEExpress1\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/EP_Media24\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/express_newspapers\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/@expressonline3000\\\/videos\"],\"description\":\"UD Express has been the eyes, ears, and voice of the Kariega (formerly Uitenhage) and Despatch communities since 1971, making it the oldest single-title free sheet in South Africa. Established with the goal of keeping our community informed, we have grown into one of the most trusted local news sources in the region, with 30,000 free copies delivered mostly door to door across Kariega, Despatch, and surrounding areas every week.\",\"email\":\"udexpress@novusmedia.co.za\",\"telephone\":\"0+2719925650\",\"legalName\":\"Novus Media (Pty) Ltd\",\"foundingDate\":\"2025-01-01\",\"vatID\":\"4100318916\",\"taxID\":\"2000\\\/018234\\\/07\",\"numberOfEmployees\":{\"@type\":\"QuantitativeValue\",\"minValue\":\"51\",\"maxValue\":\"200\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/eaef9a59110693083d0705dacb8ba9ed\",\"name\":\"Shanti Jafta\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/03\\\/cropped-IMG_3883-96x96.jpg\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/03\\\/cropped-IMG_3883-96x96.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/03\\\/cropped-IMG_3883-96x96.jpg\",\"caption\":\"Shanti Jafta\"},\"honorificPrefix\":\"Mr\",\"birthDate\":\"1998-09-09\",\"gender\":\"Male\",\"knowsLanguage\":[\"English\",\"IsiXhosa\",\"IsiZulu\"],\"jobTitle\":\"Reporter\",\"worksFor\":\"Novus Media (PTY) LTD\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/author\\\/shanti\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Local producer wins national competition and inspires talent | UD Express (Uitenhage)","description":"Local producer wins national competition, Anda Macuba, highlights the importance of dedication and community support in music.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/local-producer-wins-national-competition\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Local producer wins national competition against all odds","og_description":"From Kariega to national recognition, local producer wins national competition, marking a major milestone in music history.","og_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/local-producer-wins-national-competition\/","og_site_name":"UD Express (Uitenhage)","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PEExpress1\/","article_published_time":"2025-10-23T12:53:39+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-10-23T12:58:57+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1200,"height":803,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_8153_12315.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Shanti Jafta","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_title":"Local producer wins national competition","twitter_creator":"@EP_Media24","twitter_site":"@EP_Media24","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Shanti Jafta","Est. reading time":"3 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/local-producer-wins-national-competition\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/local-producer-wins-national-competition\/"},"author":{"name":"Shanti Jafta","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/#\/schema\/person\/eaef9a59110693083d0705dacb8ba9ed"},"headline":"Local producer wins national competition","datePublished":"2025-10-23T12:53:39+00:00","dateModified":"2025-10-23T12:58:57+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/local-producer-wins-national-competition\/"},"wordCount":613,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/local-producer-wins-national-competition\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_8153_12315.jpg","keywords":["Community Highlights","Local Stories","Music","Recommended"],"articleSection":["News"],"inLanguage":"en-ZA","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/local-producer-wins-national-competition\/#respond"]}],"copyrightYear":"2025","copyrightHolder":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/#organization"}},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/local-producer-wins-national-competition\/","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/local-producer-wins-national-competition\/","name":"Local producer wins national competition and inspires talent | UD Express (Uitenhage)","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/local-producer-wins-national-competition\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/local-producer-wins-national-competition\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_8153_12315.jpg","datePublished":"2025-10-23T12:53:39+00:00","dateModified":"2025-10-23T12:58:57+00:00","description":"Local producer wins national competition, Anda Macuba, highlights the importance of dedication and community support in music.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/local-producer-wins-national-competition\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-ZA","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/local-producer-wins-national-competition\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-ZA","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/local-producer-wins-national-competition\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_8153_12315.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_8153_12315.jpg","width":1200,"height":803,"caption":"Anda Macuba, also known as TheAudioAnda."},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/local-producer-wins-national-competition\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"News","item":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/news\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Local producer wins national competition"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/#website","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/","name":"UD Express","description":"To Inform, Engage and Empower Local Communities","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-ZA"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/#organization","name":"UD Express","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-ZA","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/uitenhage-despatch-site-icon.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/uitenhage-despatch-site-icon.png","width":512,"height":512,"caption":"UD Express"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PEExpress1\/","https:\/\/x.com\/EP_Media24","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/express_newspapers\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@expressonline3000\/videos"],"description":"UD Express has been the eyes, ears, and voice of the Kariega (formerly Uitenhage) and Despatch communities since 1971, making it the oldest single-title free sheet in South Africa. Established with the goal of keeping our community informed, we have grown into one of the most trusted local news sources in the region, with 30,000 free copies delivered mostly door to door across Kariega, Despatch, and surrounding areas every week.","email":"udexpress@novusmedia.co.za","telephone":"0+2719925650","legalName":"Novus Media (Pty) Ltd","foundingDate":"2025-01-01","vatID":"4100318916","taxID":"2000\/018234\/07","numberOfEmployees":{"@type":"QuantitativeValue","minValue":"51","maxValue":"200"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/#\/schema\/person\/eaef9a59110693083d0705dacb8ba9ed","name":"Shanti Jafta","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-ZA","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/cropped-IMG_3883-96x96.jpg","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/cropped-IMG_3883-96x96.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/cropped-IMG_3883-96x96.jpg","caption":"Shanti Jafta"},"honorificPrefix":"Mr","birthDate":"1998-09-09","gender":"Male","knowsLanguage":["English","IsiXhosa","IsiZulu"],"jobTitle":"Reporter","worksFor":"Novus Media (PTY) LTD","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/author\/shanti\/"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_8153_12315.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":263322,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/kariega-songstress-takes-centre-stage-at-mandela-bay-jazz-legacy-festival\/","url_meta":{"origin":267616,"position":0},"title":"Kariega songstress takes centre stage at Mandela Bay Jazz Legacy Festival","author":"Nkosazana Ngwadla","date":"29 May 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"South African artist Belato prepares for the Mandela Bay Jazz Legacy Festival, showcasing her unique musical blend while celebrating her roots and recent international achievements.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Kariega singer Bella Velapi, performing professionally as Belato, is preparing to take the stage at the Mandela Bay Jazz Legacy Festival 2025 this weekend.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/WhatsAppImage2025-05_78731.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/WhatsAppImage2025-05_78731.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/WhatsAppImage2025-05_78731.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/WhatsAppImage2025-05_78731.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/WhatsAppImage2025-05_78731.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":295102,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/kariega-star-announces-2026-tour-dates\/","url_meta":{"origin":267616,"position":1},"title":"Kariega star announces 2026 tour dates","author":"Shanti Jafta","date":"23 January 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Kariega-born musician Booshle G will release his debut album on February 13, 2026, followed by international and UK tours, aiming to connect deeply with audiences.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Kariega-born singer-songwriter Booshle G.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/BooshleG-Copy_37586.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/BooshleG-Copy_37586.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/BooshleG-Copy_37586.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/BooshleG-Copy_37586.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/BooshleG-Copy_37586.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]}],"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"UD Express (Uitenhage)","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/267616","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=267616"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/267616\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/267617"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=267616"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=267616"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=267616"},{"taxonomy":"newspack_spnsrs_tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/newspack_spnsrs_tax?post=267616"},{"taxonomy":"publication","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/publication?post=267616"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}