South African Roadies Association receives sound equipment worth R1 million from French manufacturer Nexo

The handover of four state of the art amplifiers took place on June 30, 2026, on the side lines of the Mediatech Africa Expo currently taking place at Kyalami Convention Centre.

By Edward Tsumele, CITYLIFE/ARTS Editor

The Newtown based Non-Profit Organisation, South African Roadies Association (SARA) on June 30, 2026, received four top of the range amplifiers worth around R1 million donated by a France based company, Nexo.

These pieces of equipment are NXAMP4XMK2, a flag ship 4 channel, networkable power amplifier and digital TD controller, which combines advanced signal processing with four –state-of the-art Class D amplifiers to create a flexible, light weight powering and control solution.

The donation was made at the ongoing Mediatech Africa Expo at Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit on the opening day of this three day event. The handover ceremony saw senior executives of Nexo and its local distributor Sound Stylists, conduct the handover of this crucial equipment for the benefit of the youth that are being trained in live events technical production skills at SARA. Freddie Nyathela, the organisation’s President, who was accompanied by the organisation’s training manager Bernard Sebothoma received the donated equipment.

‘’We have had a long and fruitful relationship with Freddie Nyathela and SARA, and we know the good work that this Non-Profit organisation is doing in imparting technical production skills to the youth of South Africa,” said Alain Boone, the Marketing Director of Nexo. He was accompanied by Nexo’s senior sales executive Gareth Collyer at the handover ceremony.

“Sound Stylists has a long relationship with SARA, and we are going to offer training to the students on how to use the equipment. We have an online course that we will offer to SARA students,” Kevin Glover from Sound Stylists, told CITYLIFE/ARTS in an interview.

The handover put smiles on the faces of a group of current SARA students, who attended the event to witness the donation handover. The amplifiers will make their practical lessons much easier for their accredited Level 4 course offered by SARA, as well as introducing them to the latest technology developed in the West for live events technical production. The SARA students are learning various skills in live events technical production, such as sound, stage management and rigging, among other skills.

Nexo has been designing ground breaking reinforcement solutions at its Parisian headquarters since 1979. The company’s pioneering technology, innovative designs and sonic excellence have enhanced live events across the globe for decades, gaining the respect and trust of sound professionals everywhere.

“These Nexo power amplifiers and digital TD controllers, will greatly enhance SARA’s technical training programmes and sustain skills development and SARA’s on-the-job training programmes in the live events technical and production skills sector for years to come, and also have an indelible impact on the lives , careers and ambitions and dreams of young South Africans,” said Nyathela.

He continued. “SARA extends its profound appreciation and gratitude for the support of Nexo. Thanks also to Sound Stylists for facilitating the delivery of this amazing donation from Nexo.”

The Mediatech Africa Expo offers an exhibition space to leading local and international manufacturers and distributors of equipment for live events, such as amplifiers, speakers, guitars, rigging equipment, microphones, broadcast equipment and lights, among other equipment.

Local distributors were well represented, including by DWR, which represents several international brands, as well as of course Sound Stylists.

Besides equipment distributors and manufacturers from companies from the West, there is also a huge number of the companies from China, who seem to be on the up trajectory when it comes to technical innovation, seeming actually to be giving the West a good run for their money. At the exhibition, a whole floor was taken by Chinese companies exhibiting various equipment. I was struck by one pavilion which hosted only guitars.

The expo was well attended, and will run till July 2, 2026.

Among the attendees, was a big number of former SARA students, some of whom are now employed in government, while others run their own businesses specialising in live events technical production services.

“I am the owner of my company Way Forward Production, which specialises providing technical production solutions to live events. I work around the country, including giving training to young people in technical production skills in the township through workshops. I hold technical production workshops as far as Botswana. I also teach at SARA,” said Thabo Mokoena, who attended the Mediatech Africa Expo on June 30, 2026.

I also met another former SARA student Thabiso Mocumi, who now works for the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research, where he is an audio-visual specialist.

“I am here to check on the latest audio visual equipment that is now on the market. So far I am impressed,” he told CITYLIFE/ARTS.

Simon Robinson, the owner of Mediatech Africa Expo, the organisers of the Exhibition, said that at this year’s event, more than 400 international exhibitors are taking part.

.The Mediatech Africa Expo, is on 30 June-2 July, 2026 at the Kyalami Grand Prix.