SOUND ENGINEERING AFRICA

WHEN MANY PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD HEAR "AFRICA" AND THINK OF SOUND ENGINEERING, THEY THINK OF VERY LOW STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE.

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SOME MAY EVEN THINK THAT SOUND ENGINEERING DOES NOT EXIST IN AFRICA.

Africans themselves think more highly of South African sound engineers than the ones who come from Zimbabwe or other parts of Africa. These are just basic things I have come across as I've worked.

I am from an urban area called Chitungwiza, just outside Zimbabwe's capital, Harare. I am from a town where most people don't even think of sound engineering as a job. I have had a life where sometimes I don't even have ten cents to buy biscuits to soothe my hunger. That journey is a story in itself, which I will share another time. **It has not been easy—**I sometimes say that if I knew I would go through what I have gone through I am not sure if I would have done it. However, the experience has been mind-blowing, and those **toughest times are some of my very best memories** as I look back now. From a place where I'd never been on a plane to one where I sometimes fly every week to different places to do events for clients. From a place where I was timid and couldn't even speak properly to one of boldness and self-confidence. From a place of trying to prove myself to people and fit in, to a place where I just do my best at being me.

**So what does this have to do with sound engineering and Africa?**

If you are a sound engineer in Africa and you think **you are going to make lots of money,** and that is your basic motivation, I am not sure whether that will carry you through when the road gets tough. What **motivates me is faith in God**, and the belief that **He wants what is best for me.** Again, there is more to be said about this, but not for the moment. My second level of motivation when I do sound engineering is to **make people's dreams come true, for both the performer and the event organizers.**

One of my mentors is **Andreas Furtner,** the German former head of the Audio Department at **Gear House South Africa** . He once said, "...For you to be successful as a sound engineer, there has to be a balance between comfort and struggle. If your life is too comfortable you may relax, if you struggle too much to get basic needs you may give up. Having this balance is key." And again, there will be more on this.

I have learned a few things doing work for some of the biggest clients, doing sound for some of the biggest technical companies and the biggest artists in Africa. I have also learned things working on various projects with international artists, both on the African continent and abroad. Some sound engineers in Africa think there are no opportunities or events. I have learned that there are lots of opportunities and events across Africa—my life is an example. I have more clients than I can actually do work for and am always looking for people I can refer these clients to. The biggest challenge is that the majority of sound engineers lack sufficient skills. When you work with high-profile clients who don't worry too much about the budget, and they pay you properly, one thing they don't want is excuses about why things did not work. Therefore, as a sound engineer, you must work as much as you can to develop your skills. Get mentors to learn from: doing that will change how much work you get.

I have sound mentors from around the world, people I have learned from in the past and continue to learn from today. I have no formal education in sound engineering. All I have is 19 years of experience in live sound, going onto my 20th year (as of 2020), and I just love sound engineering. Before I knew there were great opportunities in Africa, I wanted to leave Africa for Europe or America.

However, once I realized that I had even greater opportunities here in Africa, I decided to stay. When I go to another continent, it's only for a project or business meeting. So Africa has great opportunities for sound engineers.

When you put that together with business skills and technical skills, you will be rewarded with both the money and a great sense of satisfaction as you make people's dreams come true.

— Remember Chaitezvi