VUYO RAYMOND MATINYANA

Port Alfred - Soweto

Raymond was born in Port Alfred, a small coastal town in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. He finished high school in Soweto. During this time he also did some acting jobs on TV and in clubs.

Fuba

After just failing an audition in the play "my children, my Africa", he joined FUBA Academy, as a drama student for three years under the leadership of James Mthoba and Sophie Mgcina. Subjects were directing, improvisation, acting, voice, play writing and movement.

Up With People

On his last year at FUBA he interviewed for "Up with People", an inter cultural art education programme in the United States. There he was involved in many different aspects of the program. He acquired skills in marketing, performing, show-management, cross cultural communication, and the elements of community building in a broad range of setting, etc. They toured the United States and Europe with a show called "Rhythm of the World".

Tribal Countdown

He then moved to Amsterdam, Holland and played with Tribal Countdown, a band with African and Dutch musicians. At the same time he gave dance and choral workshops with groups in Holland and coached beginners Xhosa and Zulu languages.

Afro Vibes Band and Miss Thandi

He formed his own band, Afro Vibes Band, with musicians from South Africa, Ghana, Morocco, Brazil, Surinam and Holland. The band played various traditional South African styles of music in different indigenous languages. The repertoire did not limit them not to perform music from other cultures. Raymond and Afro Vibes have been creating waves with their music in the Dutch scene and abroad. Their show has been praised for it's diverse music and dance styles, energy, multi artistical forms, stage presence and specially on audience participation. He also performed as Miss Thandi with the Afro Vibes Band in a music theatre show. Raymond started a CD recording project "SUKA".

Afro Vibes Foundation and Student Project

In 1999 Raymond started the Afro Vibes Foundation to bridge and enhance cultural relationships and exchange between South Africa and the Netherlands. The foundation had it's own multimedia arts festival every year in June, focussing mainly on youth. Afro Vibes Foundation has consulted and organized cultural tours and events in South Africa, Belgium, Germany, France and Holland. Raymond also started a fund that benefits young people to further their education moraly and financialy through donations and sponsors. This fund is now called the Raymond Matinyana Fund.

Funeral

Vuyo Raymond Matinyana passed away on 14th November 2001 in hospital in Amsterdam. A memorial service has been held in Holland at the Melkweg in Amsterdam. The Afro Vibes Band played at the service together with many other bands. Raymond is buried in South Africa.

Raymond was devoted to his community, his ideals transcended barriers which he expressed through his music and performances.

One of Vuyo's songs: Ho Hana Kae