Behind the spectacle | Young technicians power Africa’s biggest stage at Move Afrika

While thousands of fans prepare for the lights and music at Move Afrika this Friday, a quieter story is unfolding behind the scenes — that of young South Africans gaining experience in a high-pressure global production environment.

YNews caught up with two rising technicians from the Gearhouse Youth Academy, whose work will be largely invisible to the crowd but is critical to the success of one of the continent’s most ambitious live events.

Move Afrika, an initiative by Global Citizen, positions itself as more than just a concert. It aims to reshape Africa’s live events industry by investing in local talent, creating jobs, and building a sustainable ecosystem around large-scale productions. But beyond the policy language and development goals, it is the lived experiences of young workers on the ground that reveal what that vision actually looks like.

For 23-year-old, Lutendo Madamela, being part of the technical production team marks a defining moment.

“It was a dream come true for me,” she said. “I’ve been in the production space, but this made it feel real, like I’m finally stepping into the industry I’ve been working towards.”

Behind the stage, away from the lights and music, Madamela moves between tasks – assisting with setup and supporting multiple departments to ensure everything comes together seamlessly.

“There’s a lot happening at the same time. You have to stay focused and get things right because everything is coming together all at once.”

In a production of this scale, she says, even the smallest details matter.

“If one thing is off, it affects everything, even if the audience never sees it.”

That precision is shared by 21-year-old Lulutho Mhlaba, whose role spans lighting, rigging, power and audio.

“I do a little bit of everything,” she said. “Where there’s work to be done, I step in.”

She recalls the moment she found out she would be part of the production, adding that the reality behind the spectacle is demanding.

“I was in the car coming from church when I got the email. It meant so much to me. It reaffirmed that I’m exactly where I need to be, that my passion can be my work,” she said. “The most challenging part has been the heavy lifting, getting everything up and running before the magic happens.”

Like Madamela, she highlights the importance of often-overlooked technical work.

“The audience doesn’t think about cables, but they’re critical. If they’re not properly managed, they can cause injuries or even stop the show.”

Their experiences point to a broader shift in an industry long shaped by access and connections.

“It shows that young people are capable and ready to work at a high level,” Madamela said. “It helps shift how the industry sees African talent.”

Mhlaba says the industry has long been shaped by access and connections, but believes opportunities are beginning to open up for those without established networks.

“It’s always been about who you know,” she said. “But now there’s a bridge opening for people who don’t have those connections yet.”

Both technicians point to programmes like the Gearhouse Youth Academy as a key driver of that change, offering a pathway that combines theory with practical, on-site experience.

Madamela describes the training as intense, but says it prepared them for the realities of working in a high-pressure production environment.

“You learn everything theoretically first, then apply it practically,” Mhlaba added. “So when you arrive on site, you’re not starting from zero.”

As Africa positions itself as a growing hub for global productions, both believe the impact extends far beyond entertainment, creating opportunities across a wide range of skills.

“This is only the beginning,” Mhlaba said. “There’s space for everyone to learn and grow.”

For Madamela, the experience carries a more personal significance, a quiet sense of pride in contributing to something larger than herself.

“Even though I’m behind the scenes, I felt the impact of what I helped create,” she said.

And when the lights come on, that impact – though unseen – will be everywhere.

Written by: Lebohang Ndashe