94 COLOURS
94 COLOURS
94 Colours is a unique youth mobilisation project established by Sibusiso Calvin Zulu and Mogau Hector Mgiba. The key aim is to inspire positive mindsets and associated entrepreneurial activity among young people. Sbu and Hector grew up in the Valley and gravitated towards one another because they are both passionately committed to the creative aspects of youth culture, and how those aspects can be harnessed towards constructive change within their community. They are ardent supporters of Makers Valley’s vision to be ‘Jozi’s heart of social and creative enterprise’, and as such locate all their work in and around the Valley.
The first creative initiative on which Sbu and Hector cooperated was ‘Sneakers4Change’ , collecting, refurbishing and donating over 5 000 pairs of sneakers since 2014. Linked to the charitable aspects of Sneakers4Change are various sneaker culture activities. These include exhibitions of sneakers transformed into artworks, combined with poetry, music and dance performances.
94 Colours’ spoken word and music initiatives quickly evolved into World of Words (WOW). This initiative involves monthly poetry and music gatherings where young, entrepreneurial artists perform before an ever-increasing and engaged crowd of young people. Building on these successes the first 94Colours-hosted Youth Expo took place at Victoria Yards in early 2019. During this gathering over 350 unemployed youth were introduced to entrepreneurial opportunities with a particular focus on the creative sector. Seven aspiring young entrepreneurs also competed for a seed funding and mentoring package.
When they are not out on the streets of Makers Valley hosting walking tours of the neighbourhood, Sbu and Hector can be found in their Victoria Yards studio.
