William Masemola, Dip Jazz Studies (UCT) - Research Assistant
William Masemola obtained his diploma in Jazz Studies at the University of Cape Town in 2006 and is currently in the second year of his Masters degree in Arts, Culture and Heritage at the University of Witwatersrand. The experience he acquired during his academic arts training has furnished him with a diversity of skills which cut across industries. The ability to think creatively and to find innovative solutions to problems are also attributes which he has honed through his academic studies and through training and working as a musician and researcher.
Since 2009, William has assisted Mthente
on several projects as a focus group scribe and research assistant. He
frequently attends tender briefings in Johannesburg on behalf of the
company and was recently a field quality controller for one of
Mthente’s national surveys.William also provides research assistance for his supervisor, Professor Cynthia Kros, when not busy with his Masters thesis. His thesis is on the impact that music festivals, especially jazz festivals, have on local musicians, with a specific focus on the annual Joy of Jazz festival which takes place in Johannesburg. William shares his ‘off season’ time with teaching and has taught and conducted workshops at various arts and culture institutions across South Africa.
While studying at UCT, William was involved in a number of projects, including stage performance, music teaching and research. The Cape Town International Festival (Esp. Africa) also afforded him the opportunity to work as a production assistant in 2005, where he worked with artists backstage making sure that they enlist the songs they are going to perform with Samro.
