Your week at The Orbit

Raised in Soweto, the young vibrant graduate of music composition from the University of Cape Town is currently writing and performing music with his band, the Tune and Recreation Committee, his brass band, the Native Groove Collective, and the newly established Amandla Freedom Ensemble based in Johannesburg .

Besides being a bandleader and composer, Mlangeni performs regularly as a freelance musician in various capacities.

As well as leading the Tune and Recreation Committee, the musician has been active in numerous other projects in Norway, Sweden, Germany, Israel, Britain and Botswana where he’s performed a wide variety of music ranging from classical, jazz, pop, balkan and indigenous African music.

Mlangeni has also performed with many celebrated musicians including Barney Rachabane, Marcus Wyatt, John Davies, Hugh Masekela, Sipho Hotstix Mabuse, Susana Baca (Peru), Mark Fransman, Louis Moholo, Dizu Plaatjies and Khaya Mahlangu.

“I am a strong believer in giving back to the community; this is why I have chosen to, in my student days, voluntarily teach music at the Mannenberg High School as well as Alex Sinton High School,” he said.

“I am currently embarking on a multitude of projects designed to showcase my original music and still collaborate with many of South Africa’s celebrated musicians. I am an adept musician in many styles of music and believe I can contribute immensely to the music scene in South Africa and beyond. I envisage my music integrated into the very fabric of contemporary music culture.”