Behind the dazzling lights and thunderous sound of a world-class concert, a new generation of South African talent is being forged. As part of the 2026 Global Citizen: Move Afrika tour, an innovative partnership with Gearhouse South Africa and the Gearhouse Kentse Mpahlwa Academy is bridging the gap between classroom theory and the high-stakes world of live entertainment.
A Pathway to the Spotlight
In a powerful collaboration between Global Citizen: Move Afrika, Gearhouse South Africa, and the Gearhouse Kentse Mphahlwa Academy, the Youth Technical Production Pathway has been launched. This program isn’t just about observation; it’s a steppingstone towards a career in the live events technical production industry for ten young individuals from Johannesburg and Pretoria.
Participants aged 18 to 26 are receiving:
Hands-on Training: Introductory foundation sessions in audio, lighting, AV, rigging and power at the Gearhouse Kentse Mphlwa Academy.
Real-World Application: Direct supervised involvement in the technical production of the Doja Cat show.
Accredited Growth: The Gearhouse Kentse Mpahlwa Academy offers a yearlong programme which is an accredited technical trainning course and lays a foundationfor long-term careers in the live event technical production industry’
Insights from the Front Lines: Dr. Garth Green
We sat down with Dr. Garth Green, Training Manager at Gearhouse Kentse Mpahlwa Academy, to discuss how this initiative is changing the industry landscape. According to Dr. Green, the vision was clear: use a major gig as a live classroom.
“We did a week of theory and practical’s which equipped the individuals with the foundation knowledge required to execute basic setups on site.” Green explains.
The students aren’t just watching from the sidelines. They have been immersed in the core pillars of tecnical production: lighting, sound, AV, rigging, and power. Dr. Green noted that students were particularly active in prepping lighting for the show during the critical days leading up to the main load-in.
Why This Matters: Fast-Tracking the Future
Traditionally, breaking into the live events industry was a slow crawl. “The traditional way is that they join a stagehand company… moving things around,” says Dr. Green. “Unfortunately, that process is very slow. Unless they ask the right questions, they won’t get the knowledge itself“.
By providing a structured program, Global Citizen: Move Afrika and Gearhouse South Africa with the Gearhouse Kentse Mpahlwa Academy are giving these young individuals a “brief overview” that allows them to know exactly what questions to ask, and which specialized path to follow.
More Than Just a Show
This initiative is a core part of the Global Citizen: Move Afrika mission to create jobs, generate skill training through the Gearhouse Kentse Mpahlwa Academy and foster youth entrepreneurship. By showcasing the “rich tapestry of African talent” to the global stage, the program ensures that when the tour moves on, the skills and opportunities remain firmly rooted in the local community.
Witnessing these young people move from the classroom to the workshop and finally to the stage proves that when given the opportunity to have access to the right tools and knowledge, the youth are ready to step up and carve a path to one day leading the show.