Drawing from his rich cultural and musical background, this legendary pianist has both a strong reputation as a solo performer and band leader and is one of the greatest names in the African jazz biz. Well-known for his charming piano improvisations and unique compositions, Mervyn’s influences range from classic and carnival music through to township jazz and Malay musical heritage.

This Cape Town-based private chef has cooked for the likes of Madonna, Victoria Beckham, Elton John and U2, to name but a few well-known celebs. Trained in the kitchens of Gordon Ramsay and Marcus Wareing, Zimbabwe-born Neill now gets invited to cook in the homes of local celebrities, socialites and friends and family transforming their dinner experiences into exclusive dining extravaganzas. He also has his own TV show; Private Chef, which is broadcast both nationally and internationally on the Food Network channel.

Cape Town hip-hop vocalist Natasha Olckers, otherwise known as ‘Tashna B’, caught the attention of Heart FM with her song titled ‘No More Running’. Born and raised in Atlantis, Western Cape, this up-and-coming female songstress has worked with other local talented musicians such as Jody Williams and Emo Adams and is set to win South Africans hearts.

You’ll recognise these five faces from the popular reality television series SA’s Got Talent, where Brent, Herschel, Junaid, Niyaaz and Faeez were semi-finalists. Having met in high school, friendship wasn’t the only thing that blossomed between these talented Capetonians and their shared passion for music led to the formation of their band, Confidential SA.

Lead singer Steven McKellar, together with his brother Andrew McKellar on guitar, Richard Wouters on drums and Kevin Dailey on keys and guitar form the much-loved internationally recognised band, Civil Twilight. Currently residing in Nashville, Tennessee, the Cape Town-origin group is living proof of what happens when one lets go of the aspiration to be the chosen one and creates music built on both the roots that grew you and the love that keeps you thriving every day. 

Changeling’s siblings, Noah and Ruby Swinney have collaborated with Heroine’s Roxy Caroline to form the South African psychedelic rock band The Psalms. Changeling and Heroine are two already established Cape Town-based underground bands. In March 2016 The Psalms released their debut EP titled Your Karma Reversed Over My Dogma. Cape Town musician Noah Swinney takes the time to answer our 10 Questions Project.

This Toronto-born, Cape Town-based artist specialises in painting urban landscapes in oil on gesso with a limited palette of between three and five colours. He expertly builds up layers by rubbing paint away and laying it back on to create depth and rich colour. Thomas’ work is held in collections across the globe including in Cape Town, New York, London, Toronto and Mexico City.

This Cape Town chef and food stylist is renowned for the culinary skills she showcases on the popular SABC3 Expresso ‘Feel Good Breakfast Show’ every weekday morning. Zola released her debut cookbook Simply Delicious in February 2016 as another means of sharing her passion for food and cooking.

Good Hope FM radio presenter, Expresso Morning Show host, actress and model, Leigh-Anne Williams does it all and is fast becoming a rising star in the South African entertainment industry. She was even runner-up of SABC3’s Strictly Come Dancing South Africa Season 8. 

Justin Bonello is a filmmaker, presenter, author and cook, not to mention also the Head of Production at one of South Africa’s leading film production companies, Cooked in Africa Films. Cooked in Africa has produced over 21 television series across various national and international broadcasters including South Africa’s first original reality-based television cooking formatted series, Ultimate Braai Master. Other shows include Charly’s Cake Angels, Global Wheeling, Around Iceland on Inspiration, Beer Country and Surfs Cooking to name but a few.

Known by her fans for being “honourably open” when talking about awkward topics, Theo – as she prefers to be called – has a YouTube channel where she tackles coming-of-age issues that educate and inspire hundreds of thousands of teenagers across the globe. What’s more, in 2015 Theo won Best YouTube Channel at the African Blogger Awards and was a finalist for Best African Blogger at the 2016 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards. 

A forerunner in the South African fashion law industry, fashion lawyer Sumaiya De’Mar helps designers protect their brands and businesses. Fashion law is a specialised area of law that covers issues relating to the business of fashion from conception to brand protection. Extending to other related areas such as public relations, modelling and photography, the field of fashion law is continually growing and is fast becoming a necessary industry in our country.  

This Cape Town-based comedian has made audiences laugh on various platforms including Comedy Central, Cape Town Comedy Club and Parker’s Comedy and Jive, as well as at various major music festivals. When he isn’t telling jokes Devin likes to eat ice cream. It doesn’t matter what flavour really, just as long as it is ice cream.

This Cape Town-based singer-songwriter and recording artist has performed alongside many big names in the music industry including Daniel Bedingfield, Freshlyground, Jimmy Nevis, Beatenberg and Johnny Clegg to name but a few. As a skilled and accomplished guitarist and vocalist, he also has a couple of well-known and much-loved chart-climbing singles under his belt. 

This well-known Cape Town-based celebrity chef and TV personality certainly knows her way around the kitchen. She has several cookbooks under her belt, her own cooking show – she was the first South African to host her own show on the international Food Network channel – and a chef school. Not to mention, she is also the owner of Yumcious restaurant in Green Point. Jenny Morris is a culinary force to be reckoned with.

Born and bred in Cape Town, Lakota Silva’s vocal talent was first recognised when she featured in Locnville’s hit ‘Closer’ and performed alongside the electro duo as part of the opening act for Justin Bieber’s South Africa tour in 2013. Since then, she has starred alongside big names in the South African music industry including Pascal and Pearce, DeaderThanDisco, Royal K, Ameen Harron and Reason. 

Meet identical twin brothers Andrew and Brian Chaplin of the award-winning electro hop music duo Locnville. In addition to being singer-songwriters, song producers and musicians, the twins are also guitarists, drummers and entrepreneurs. Not to mention, in 2013 Locnville performed as the opening act for Justin Bieber’s South Africa tour.