Fair Play 2025: South Africa Edition!

Musicians of South Africa! The fight against corruption needs your voice. Fair Play, the global music movement amplifying youth voices through powerful protest music, is landing in South Africa for the first time ever, and is on the search for an epic anti-corruption anthem to move hearts and minds.

We’re calling on musicians aged 18–35 from around Mzansi to submit original songs that tackle corruption, inequality, and injustice head-on. This is more than a gig. This is a call to action! We call on our nation's artists to give voice to all South Africans who are gatvol with corruption. This is a breaking point, and it’s time to say Ngeke!

Two acts will be selected to perform their anti-corruption anthems live at the Ngeke! Festival, each receiving R10,000— and a prime slot opening for major South African headliners (to be announced soon).

Ngeke! Festival will take place on December 6th at Constitution Hill in Joburg, a high-impact event where the next generation of artists will take the stage to speak truth to power at a site that has long stood as a symbol of justice and resistance.

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

Fair Play is looking for original songs/music videos that shine a light on the issues affecting South Africans and their connection to the influence of corruption. Artists should use their creativity to take on corruption in a way that feels authentic to them. Whether you are talking about state capture, discrimination, broken systems or stolen futures, we want artists to use the power of music to move people, challenge narratives, and demand change.

WHAT DO YOU GET?

• A spot on stage at the first-ever Ngeke! Festival in South Africa.
• R10,000 per selected act to perform.
• The chance to open for some of the biggest names in South African music.
• Global exposure through Fair Play’s international network.
• Connection to artists and activists fighting corruption across continents.
• International training and coaching from music industry experts.

Fair Play is more than a competition — it’s a movement. Join artists like Nasseman (Liberia), Cill Soul (Nigeria), Shanti Powa (Italy), Alesh (DR Congo), Haga Que Pase (Colombia), and Faith Mussa (Malawi) in creating music that speaks out.

HOW TO APPLY:

• Musicians must be aged 18–35
• Submit your original song / music video that addresses corruption and injustice.
• Applications close on 1 September 2025
• Apply at: mubazar.com

Questions? Email us at info@anticorruptionmusic.org or call us on +27 71 382 4006

About Fair Play

Fair Play is a global anti-corruption music initiative from JM International in partnership with Transparency International, empowering young artists to fight injustice through music. Since 2010, Fair Play has supported dozens of activist musicians in over 70 countries. Fair Play South Africa is brought to you in partnership with Enhancing Accountability and the European Union.